The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-24

upon these stpulaons and, indeed, the very despatch
which brought information OF the armtsce, brought
us also Information that If had been broken And, hap
pen what may In the mean time. this armstlce at the
end OF The term, must give way to hoshes, unless pro,
onged by mutual consent terminated by peace And
certainly Will not be prolonged by u.s. unless peace
TO take its place.
Now sir, what does wise precaution require' 1t
CURES US to strengthen our forces In Mexico, and to
make the most vigorous preparations to prosecute the
war with renewed exertion, should efforts to procure
a peace prove frultless.
You know, Mr. President and the Senate knows, and
the country knows. that paper has arrived here, and
gone back to Mexico, with the imPrfmafur OF this body
will lead TO peace, if accepted by the Mexican govern
ment Now il NAV be accepted there, or rejected; no
man can tell which. The government is unstable, the
people lnracabe and turbulent, and the country split
into factions, warning against another and each con
tending for supremacy In such state OF things, what
is our duty 1t have already said TO be prepared
Tor contingencies, and 10 recOmmencc our military opera
tons with the utmost vgor, as soon as the war recon-
mences, if that event should happen.
But, in the secoEd place, the very preparation we
Make may be the reason for rendering its employment
unnecessary If the government and people Of Mexico
see, by the which we have taken here, that
there is absolute determination to overrun and over
come their country, that would furnish strong motive
Tor their acqulescence the terms OF peace AS our re-
taxation would encourage them to resist So renewed ex
ertons on our part would show them me iuhy OF re-
ssance, and leave them hope but in doing us justice
So much for the in favor OF the passage OF this
bill The force contemplates TO raise, may not be want
ed In that event, it will not be organized, and no injury
will be done 1t may be wanted and, in that event. II
will be ready for such contingencies may happen.
The senator from South Carolina says, that when the
did in order to be able to prosecute the more Wig
oously and that to vote for this BILL Is to give pledge
that this shall be done This may be sir but whether
so not ready give any necessary pledge upon
the subject The senator is not In favor OF vigorous
prosecution of the war, should we fail our efforts
to obtain peace. What his views upon this subject,
sir He says that the OF the session,
the opinion spreading everywhere, that the whole OF
Mexico should be annexed to the United States; but that
since that time, change has been gong on-the result
suppose, OF our dscussons-and that the acquisition OF
the whole Mexican territory is no longer desired. For
my part, sir see change whatever upon this subject
believe the prevailing sentiment snow Just what IT mas
been during the whole progress OF these hOstItes The
senator, in his remarks upon this subject some two or
three months SINCE when asked for the proof that the
acquisition of all Mexico was desired by the american
people, referred two demonstrations that had ia
ken place at two public meetings. but failed 10 pro-
duce the slightest evidenceas indeed, there was nome
that the American people had determined upon this great
experiment The sentiment prevailed then, and prevails
YET that may be compelled to make H. by the obstinate
injustice OF the Mexicans and that If we cannot term-
nate the any other way, must terminate by
taking possession Of their country and holding it subject
to power, and with some kind OF government to
provide for its internal security.
Well, sir this state of things may come; but hope
not But will not be prevented by speeches and reso
utons in this body. 1t will be prevented by much higher
events. For myself, my opinion has been lnch ingsd
and have several times expressed it in this chamber
think the humiliation of the Mexican government, and
the annexation OF the whole Mexican territory would be
injury TO our a see o
ections to It, But repeat also my previous declaration
that am not one of those wis believe that even that
step would be fatal to My confidence in the progress
and duration of this government is unshaken and un-
shakable Its destiny. under God, Is com ntted to the
people. and no other earthly power can destroy IT. How
extensive may be the sphere OF its operation, has
it spirit OF vitality growing out OF the very prlnclpe
its formation and objectsthe will of all for the good
of all-which will enable it to resist many OF those
shocks of time and accident to which other govern,
nents have been exposed, and have fallen victims. II
all this is dream, sir. II is very happy one and
dream from which have no wish 10 be awakened
DESIRE sir to aule to remark made by an honora-
BILE senator from Virginia, Mr.. HUNTER Some time
since, he addressed the Senate upon this subject IN
L. was Of those efforts which, while they do honor
the speaker reflect honor upon all those who are asso-
ciaed with him in the discharge Of the high functions
gave me, thank him also for his favorable nohce OF
little word used upon that OCCASION The distinguished
senator from South Carolina had sald that the absorption
of all Mexico would be fatal to While expressing
the opinion have just reiterated that the measure would
be injurious repudiaed the idea that it would be fatal
and d that WIZ We to gooS od
but the senator from Virginia seemed to think that II re-
quired protection, and threw over 1t ms critical
ags by saying it should hereafter become classical
thank the honorable senator for his kind inter-
ference, but | beg to assure him that the phrase
had petensons to be standard one, even before
used it, and he sanctioned it. 1t Is at least as DID, IN our
language, the time of the translators Of the Bible
How much aged, do not stop to inquire; but In
the language whence Bible was translated, IL Is al
least thirty centuries older ISRAEL is SWALLOWED UP
said one of her prophets when the throne OF David was
overturned, and his kingdom annexed-ay, ANNEXED to
the empire of Assyria Israel Is Swallowed w..
Now sir, may congratulate myself upon my position.
Supported by the Bbe and by the honorable senator
from Virginia, may defy the shafts OF criticism, nvul-
nerable to the heel behind such bucklers
The senator from South Carolina, instead of vigorous
prosecution OF the war, proposes to withdraw our troops
from the other portions of the Mexican country and to
establish them upon line which shall be the boundary
of the territory which intend to hold Tins proposition
has, in substance been twice before made by the honorable
senaoronce at the last session OF Congress- and once,
some weeks since at the present he supported ms views
hen and now with that force which marks his reasoning
But while he interested, he did not convince me-. There
never was such a ine--here never Will be SUCH one.
say it with all Difference but with perfect conviction
of the truth, that such line is impossible That winch
Inc senator proposes, from the Rio Gande to the
paso del Nore--probably about eight hundred miles;
the Pacific ocean-whch is little less than an equal dis
lance making upon the whole route probably 800 mules
The force required defend the line OF the Rio Grande
The honorable senator does not gives but he thinks
small one would be sufficient ! have conversed with
one of our abest generals upon this subject and he
sders 10000 necessary to the defence OF Inc mo
Crande frontier,
From the Paso del Nore the gulf of California the
senator from South Carolina thinks that one regiment
protection against Mexicans and Indians. What e1ect
armed vessels can have in the defence OF line Wmch
stretches six hundred miles beyond them, as 90 not
comprehend | will not stop to inquire lneT guns
would probably command the beach. OIL Whch they might
anchor if they anchored enough But 40 moi pc
eve that Mexican guerilla would place himself within
their reach, in order to line open 10 nun IN all d.