Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-02-24

as manammedasm pr0pagated elgon BY nre and sword.
II she negoates is with fleets and armies the side Of
her ambassadors in order the language of her dpIo
macy, "to give force to their representations She is
senaly aud eminenty q military power, unequaled on
the and unsurpassed the land Happily, the cvil
ration, which distinguishes her home goes with her and
obteaies Of the bloody traces Of her march TO
limited empire.
Much less has any unknd feeling dictated my reference
to France Our relations with her have usually been Of
the most friendly character. From the foundation Of
Government there has existed. side, strong feel
ing OF sympathy in her prosperes and her msortunes,
which no temporary interruption Of friendship has been
able to eradicate. There is for this feeng
would not have been credabe to people if it had
proved transient sentiment. She stood forth at critical
period in contest for independence and rendered
the most essential service by her cooperation and aid. The
swords Of Washington and Lafayette unsheahed
the bsule-felds. Our and plains have
been crmsoned with the generous blood of France. The
names Of ROchambesu. De Grssse, and D'Estsing are
identified with struggles for freedom They be-
come in degree American, and give them to
children be remembered for the gallant deeds of
those who bore them Il is surprising under such cir.
cumstances that in the survey Of the European SYSTEM
should have been accustomed regard France as the
power likely, in the progress Of events to become
the rva OF England on the she hos been the
land; and with large portion Of people, If the wish
has not been parent has, lesst been companion "o
the thought" For this reason the declaration of NJ.
Gu'oi was considered independently Of all views Of right
peculiarly ungracious and q demonstration of feel
ing totally inconsistent with the ancient friendship by
which the two countries have been united. have
believed it to be in accordance with the sentiments of
the French people. And strong has been my reli-
snce on their right judgment and feeling, that confess
have thought unlikely that inerposon in our
affairs, completely with smicable relations
which ought TO be held sacred, might be arrested by
decisive nterposilion at home against its authors
Irepeat have spoken in spirit of unkindness either
towards Great Britain or France. desire nothing but
friendship with hem-close. cordial constant mutually
beneficial friendship speak Of them historically they
exist and exhibit themselves TO The eyes of the civilized
world.
Thus far, have considered the probable consequent
ces OF retiring from Mexico, as they are likely to
affect political relations with her, and possibly
with other States | now turn, for single moment
only, TO different class of cOnsideratons-I mean
considerations arising out Of claims 10 indemnity
for injuries. Although the war was not commenced
to secure 1t, this Is of the avowed objects for
which it has been prosecuted. Shall we abandon the
position have taken, and leave this object unac-
complshed Shall not rather retain what we
have acquired, until our Just claims are satisfied |!
To do otherwise would be TO have incurred enor-
expenditure of treasure and blood purpose
-tO have prosecuted The till had the means of
indemnlfylng ourselves in own hands, and then
voluntarily relinqush them Such course seems to
me utter rreconcable either with Justice to ourselves
or with sound policy. If am not mistaken in the
views have expressed, it would be abandonment
of indemnity without getting rid of the war; which
we must now rely to procure 1t. These considera-
tons do not apply the policy suggested by the hon.
OrGble Senator from South Carolina. He proposes to
take indemnity into our own hands by occupying a
portion of northern central Mexico and holding it
without treaty. My remarks only applicable to
the policy of withdrawing from Mexico altogether
and leaving the adjustment of differences to future
negotiations.
Having thus declared mysel. in favor of the occu-
patton of Mexico until she shall consent to make
peace, deem it proper TO say in connection with this
subject that have been uniformly opposed and that
am still opposed to all schemes of conquest for the
acquisition of territory. In this respect, | concur
in what the Senator from South Carolina has said,
and for nearly the reasons. am opposed to all
such schemes, because they would be inconsistent with
the avowed objects of the war; because they would
be Incompatible with justice and sound policy and
BECAUSE if successful, they would be utterly subver-
sive Of the fundamental principle of political sys-
tenn, resting 1t does voluntary association OF
free and independent States | have been uniformly
in favor of the energetic measures in the prose
cution of the war, because | believed them most
likely to bring it to close In carrying our arms to
the enemy's capital and occupying his territory, can
nothing Inconsistent with the principles of justice
or the usages of civilized States. In the prosecution
of war undertaken to procure redress of injuries
the territories or property of cnemy may be siezed
for the express purpose of compelling him to do Jus.
tice. More may be taken than would constitute a
fair indemnity for actual In uries, provided it be done
with the intention of restoring the surplus when be
shall consent to make peace reasonable terms Ii
is in this spirit, and with this Intention that my CO.
operation has been given to the vigorous prosecution
n of the We have right to insist on fair boun.
dairy; we may exact indemnity for injuries we NAV
demand indemni6caton for the expenses of the war
if we please. But here all right ceases; and if
wheE this is conceded, we have more on our hands
we bound, every principle of law aud good
conscience, to make restitution. Ii is admitted on al
hands that Mexico is incapable of indemnfyng us in
money. But she may do so by ceding us territory
which is useless TO her, which she has the ability
to defend, and which may be useful to us. have al
ways been in favor Of acquiring territory Just terms
The acquisition of California has always appeared tc
very desirable account Of its ports on the Pa
ciic. have uniformly voted for acquiring il, when
the proposition has come before US. | believe, on the
first occasion, was in a minority of ten or eleven
My opinion is unchanged. Indeed, it is confirmed BY
the fact, that California has, by our military opera
tions, become forever detached from Mexico If il
were to be abandoned by u.s. its forty thousand inhnb
itants would undoubtedly establish an Independent
government for themselves, and they would maintair
it if undsturbed by foreign interference take The
actual condition of things as find il, and with al
earnest desire TO fulfil a the obligations it deyolve.
OH in q spirit of Justice towards Mexico and TO-
wards the people of California.
also 10 what the honorable Senator from Sou,t
Carolina said in relation the influence of war on on
political institutions. No deplOre il under any cir
cumstance than myself independently Of the evil
which always brings la its train, there
connected with political organization and the nature
social progress, which render il douby pencous in it,
tendencies The final success Of the experiment an
msking in free government may depend in Degree
steady maintenance Of the spirit Of peace, in which
political system had It's Origin aud in which has ia
been administered Great as Is our capacity for war,