Tri-weekly journal. (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1847-188?, 1848-01-18

These are my views, but, unfortunately, we were all
acting here under an urgency without time TO reflect
We were pushed on and told, If you DO not act to-day
nothing can be DONE
Well now, sir as 10 where the defensive line should
be at the present time do not presume to offer an
opinion. suggested line at the last session am
not prepared to say what would be the proper at
the present time, but do say that we must vacae the
central parts OF Mexico. We must fall back; if you
choose to use that word take line that shall
er ample territory for indemnity.
For my part, | am not for charging Mexico with
the whole expense OF the war; but would take am
pie territory and hold it subject TO negotiation. Now
sir, know will be said that this will be as expen-
sve as the / think have said enough to show
that that cannot be- that il will fall far short oft but
will nCI repeat the argumen. But admitting it
should admitting that by no means concludes the
gument; tor the sacrifice OF men would be infinitely
less and what Is more important, you will thereby
be enabled to disentangle yourselves. This is the
sly way by which II can be done on are tied at
pres Z, as ii were, 10 a corpse. My object is to get
rid OF itas soon as possible.
look not al Mexico, | look to our own country
and her Institutions. look to the liberty of this
country and nothing else. Mr. President If we but
preserve liberty by proper course of moderation
acting Justly towards our neighbor. and wisely in
regard TO ourselves-if we remain quiet, resting in
idle and mastery inactivity, and let destinies
work out their own results, shalldo more tor lib
erty, not only for ourselves, but for the example of
mankind than can be done by thousand victories.
Sir, find | am becoming old; almost feel that
that is uncongenia TO the feelings OF this body put
it down preceding from the old associations of thir
~ or thirty hive years ago, which still clnTng at
round me- Sir, this is not the first time that have
taken my stand against When Gen. Jackson
recommended letters ofmarque and reprisal agains-
France, alone in the Senate and demonstrated
against such injustice. And, in point of fact, the
treaty which was subsequently concluded with France
was ratified with the express understanding, which
was known to our Government when the treaty was
formed that it would require vote of the Chambers
on the part OF France TO sustain it, as it would
quire sustain the part of this country; and
that they further responsible Than to their
best efforts obtain that vote And yet, though it
was acknowledged that the Executive of France had
done all in his power obtain the vote,
nearly pushed into war. Nothing but the lnterpo-
siton OF Great Britain prevented it. As for myself,
standing this side OF the Chamber, ! raised my
voice sing y against 1t.
Mr. President, in my opinion all parties inter-
ested in giving this matter the only direction that can
be given il with any prospect OF favorable result
Let say to the friends OF the Administration, ii
you go on and some accident does not meet you-if
you 90 in the prosecution OF this from year to
year, you will find that it will overthrow you. Do
you that far as the in erna affairs of the
government concerned, you are reversing the pol
icy of which you have heretofore protested to be adj
vocates What party has been opposed to the re-cre
alton of a great national debit The Democratic or
Republican partyl Well, sir, this war is involving
you in greater debt than the opposite party could
have DONE perhaps, in any circumstances short OF
war This very campaign which you look upon 50
slightly, will be almost as great a charge upon the
country rs the debt of the Revolution. What party
has always been against the extenlon OF the patron
age of the Executvel Well, sir you are doing more
towards the extension OF that patronage, and above
all towards the continuation OF that extension than
has been done under our government. Well, sir
what party Processes TO be most in favor OF metal
lie currencyi And do you not see that your Treas
Jury Notes and Stocks accumulate, you in danger
being plunged sgru into the paper system to the
utmost extentl WGst party has always zen IN Ia
a EraoF ala1 10 nofG Int nv
lating charges and burdens upon the people by the
debts which have now been contracted. that you new
er will during your time have an opportunity ofmak-
ing any considerable reduction in the Tariff
/ Sir, know what is the bottom of the course of
policy which is recommended TO be pursued, Ii Is
that pride OF opinion to which all subject No
doubt it thought thae that course OF policy would
lead to the cOnsequences'which cOntended for;
but il has not But, sir, the alternative is pressing
You will have but the choice between that and
worse. in my opinion. Ii is magnanmons and
honorable TO reuaet when course OF polisy
which has been pursued turns out 10 be wrong. Ii
would do great credit TO The party IN power TO act
now precisely as they would have acted if they had
had all the lights OF experience at the commencement
of this war which they now have. Ii would be do
ing high act of patriotism, sacrifice their feelings
of individual pride to the good OF the country.
i Now let me say that in asserting that a defensive
line the only alternative TO the plan recommend
ed by the President, have put out Of the question
the course of which most of you notwithstanding
no indemnity OF territory; because, believe that the
voice of the country has decided irrevocaby against
it. and that to keep il the alternative would but
render more certain the adoption of the policy
mended by the Executive, and in consequence the
conquest OF the whole country. Let me say farther,
my friends the other side of the Chamber, for
regard them such-ttis good fortune TO differ
in politics here without permitting personal feel
Jugs to be affected)-that they have contributed by
their course give the public opuon that strong and
fixed determination, not to terminate the without
some suitable indemnity. do not alude to your vot-
ing the bill recognizing the existence of war be
tween the Republic OF Mexico and the United States
No one knows better than myself that you voted for
the bill with the view Diminishing immediate relief
to General Taylor and his army-and not in refer
ence to the war-that you protested and remon
strated against that Interpretation being put upon your
vote. But after the bill passed, and the war was au
thoriZed most OF you have continued to vote appro-
priatons to prosecute the with the object express
sed ofacquiring territory an indemnity. Now, |
must say, cannot see how the two can be reconced
how your vote to acquire territory can be justified,
and at the same time your opposition to the acquis
ton of territory means of indemnify when it is
knowledged on all Sides that that is the only
by which it can be acquired The people will find it
hard believe that it necessary vote much
money for the purpose of getting territory for ndem-
nifty, which you intend to throw away when you get
it. But whatever may be the causes which have led
to this state of public opinion, has beyond all doubt
decided against any conclusion OF this that does
not involve territorial indemnity TO some extent
Hence, repeat, the alternative whether this shall
go and consummate ITSELF is between taking de-
fensive line and adopting the pointed by
the executive, and that the decision must be made
now, for lift be passed until another session, the
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