The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-09-15
r,om lLe Nglional Mtenireneer.
from tAe Ndtt0Hat IHeHt5eHceF'
Gen. Cass On War, Conquest and
Annexation.

Gen. Cass On War, Conquest and
Annexation.
The ertcnt to which Gen. Cass might
be expected, if chosenP President, to carry
his passion for war, conquest and annex
alton, may be inferred from what fell from
him at different times at the present sess-
ion Of Congress, before his retirement
from the Senate.
On the 17lh Of January, in reply to
gentlemen who had expressed something
like horror at the tone Of the Presidents
message concerning the war, and at the
eagerness of certain Senators To carry out
his recommendations of further conquests
and of the occupation, if necessary, Of all
Mexico, Mr.. Cass ridiculed the appre-
tensions of Senators who had spoken of
the present as perilous crisis.
"Le: me say" remarked Mr., Cass,
THAT it takes great deal to kill this
country. We have had an alarming cri-
sis every year. But we have oullived
them all, aud advanced in all the elements
of power and prosperity with rapidity
heretofore unknown in the history of ma
tions. If are Should SWALLOW Mexico
to-mOryO,0, Id0 not beliere IL aoOu'd Kill as.
The Senator from North Carolina and
myself may not i've to see it, but | am by
no means satisfied that the day will not
come IN which THE WHOLE OF THE VAST
COUNTRY AROUND US will form one of tile
most magn!fceit empires the 'OOrld has
get seen"
On the goth of January, upon reso-
luton proposed by Mr., Mangnm, calling
for information in regard to the reported
orders to Maj, Gen. Scott lin conformity
with the policy suggested in the Presi-
dents proceeding annual Message) TO
spread our army over the whole of Mex
leo, Mr.. Cass expressed his hope that the
executive would communicate fully to
the Senate and to the House the whole
object which the proposed call had in
view.
~ bOpe," said he, "that the EXecu-
tive will say in as many words that its OBJ
jcct is m any circumstances, TO CONQUER
Mexico.
Mr.. Mangum Gn his scat,) to conquer
Mexico?
Mr. Cass. Irepoat to conquer Merj-
CO.."
"Scveral Senators. The whO'c"
Mr.. Cass. The mh0Ie-.--but not to
hold it aH To conquer Mexican MUS
tice-to conquer Mexico until she seeks
a fair and honorable peace; and hope
that the Executive will carry on its ape
rdtions in cccrypartofMe Mexican coun-
try till that object be accomplished"
In subsequent part of the same de-
bate, his formal declaration about "swal-
lowing all Mexico" being brought in
question, the General said
well sir, repeat again that | have
no belieflhat, il Mexican independence
rOere annihiiatcd tO,mOrrOV, and the wh0te
country annexed TO tie United States ii
GOuld kill u.s."
On the same point later in debate, he
took occasion to express himsclfyet more
plainly:
I'VE mag hare 10 make the great cr
pertinent so dreaded by the Senator from
South Carolina and the Senator from
Kentucky, and ANNEX THE DO
MAINS OF MEXICO TO OUR OWN
This is the penalty which national injus
iice has often been called to pay. ant
which Mexico may be preparing for her
, self"
At every stage oflho Mexican war, a
throughout the Oregon controversy, hi
voice was "slil for war" And whel
from afar, from the fields of Mexico, hi
' nostris inhaled the scent of blood, there
was no bound to his zeal in its support
His continual cry was for war; conquest
carnage! Or, if there was any variation
in it, carnage, conquest the entire sub
iugalion of Mexico, the annexation y
her domains to our own. became his
theme; and annexation, not of Mexico
I only, but of "rhc whole country aroun,
! us!"
The leviy with which Gen. Cass treat
t subjects So solemn is really shocking
and as coming from one who has acquired
some reputation as a statcsmsn, sue
langu a ,ge in the measure which it give
of his capacity or will to consider conse
quences, is piliobIe. We are compelled
to say that its heartlessness can only b,
eouaIled bv its senselessncss