The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-10

years without any serious effort the part Of Mexico TO
reduce her to submissions although she maintained d.
Mexico herself offered to recognise her Independence
but on a condition wholly inconsistent with her soyer
eighty, the Mexican minister at Washington declared
that his government would regard the measure as an ac
OF war; demanded has passports, and left the country
Firmly resolved the performance OF his duty the late
President not Enlightened from his propriety by the
menacing attitude assumed but while be earnestly and
faithfully devoted himself 10 the execution OF the act OF
Congress, and the honorable accomplishment OF the an
al importance TO the acquisition of Louisiana, with the
mouths OF the Misssspp-he adopted measures, with the
utmost socitude for their TO preserve peace
record these measures and their results They
successful. and were followed by the war with Mexico,
one OF the most important OF the incidents OF President
Folks eventiul administration.
do not propose to inquire into the Of that
Il was declared to exist with extraordinary unanimy by
Congress and was sustained and prosecuted by the Amer
lean people with the courage and patriotism with which
American honor has ever been gloriousy indicated.
feel 1t TO be my duty, however, on this occasion, with
The most ample opportunities OF knowledge to aver that
II was never the purpose wish OF MIR Polk that the
two republics should be involved in An ardent
lover OF human liberty and OF republican institutions, the
most cherished desire Of his heart next TO the honor,
happiness, and prosperity of his country, was that
every people who had entered the high duty OF self
government and especially neighbor, should
illustrate the wisdom ef republican institutions. equal
happiness, and success. He looked with no envy on
Mexico, and with no rapacous spirit on her territory.
He did desire-and il was his duty TO enforce them-to
see the just claims of American citizens adjusted and the
injuries sustained by them repaired and unidentified But
his desire 10 accomplish these objects and
the settlement OF all subjects OF dispute, without any IN
terrupton Of peaceful relations. He had no passion
for war His deep conviction that the true policy OF
his country peace-peace with all nations, SO long
it could be maintained without sacrifice OF the ma
tonal honor.
| But the came; and II was commenced, continued
for than two years, and concluded during his ad-
mnistraton Its incidents and its results are Justly
titled IN fill heart patriotic pride
The people eagerly flew to the standard OF their country
and cheeruly encountered the hardshps and privaons
aptitude for military service which has astonished the
world. No column of brave armies, or ship Of our
navy ever encountered serious reverse and while our
victorious eagles carried in triumph to the capital OF
the enemy, glorious flag stained by act
Of rapine, of cruelty oppression Cemency the most
beautiful OF human virtues In war, distinguished our
brave officers and wherever they conquered and at
every pause in the conflict the olive branch rendered.
and honorable peace generously pressed on Mexico by
our government
| There was no increase of taxation, not merchant
vessel lost to her by the act OF the enemy,
higher rate OF marine insurance was exacted to cover
the risks Of state of in every loan negotiated BY
the government the full amount of its securities real
iZed and in some instances considerable premium, and
the growth and prosperity of country advanced in its
high career, without even momentary check. The ma
,iona honor unsained, the national character ee
waited throughout the world and fresh and abiding conf
dence inspired in the strength and stability of our epub
Bnt not less honorable TO the American name than
!hese striking results was the sublime spectacle
in The midst Of the war BY The benevolent aid sent to
America fed furnishing millions of the subjects of
the most powerful nations in the world whose boundess
wealth and mighty power could not supply what gen.
erous soil and hardy labor furnished without diminishing
the comforts OF our own people.
The was terminated by honorable peace and if
any additional proof were required OF the sincerity with
which the American government had desired such ter
minaon if will be found in the fact OF the adoption, by
the President Of the treaty, under the circumstances at
tending its negotiation. secured to our country ad-
ditonal territory OF great national importance, While il
did not materially weaken Mexico il furnished our sis
ter Republic means which were Of the greatest value to
her in the exhausted state OF her resources while il
cured to citizens indemnity for their claims on her.
and established the disputed boundary between the two
republics and thus removing all of future irra-
mercal intercourse which fail, il uninterrupted,
to promote the happiness and prosperity OF both.
With MI; Folks habit OF personal attention to the
business OF his Office ii may well be imagined that his
labors were greatly increased by the Executive duties
created by the most painful addition to the anx-
stes 81 which oppressed him. was produced BY the aga
and harmony OF the States OF the American Union. and
transcendenty dangerous when connected with our
ful termination OF the Mexican war, he had asked of
Congress to appropriate sum OF money which he might
without the delay OF future legislation il required by
Ine terms q treaty oil peace II was Known thar the
posed and was earnestly urged that the act OF appropra
ton should be ncumbered by provision prohibiting the
negro slavery
to be acquired The institution OF slavery existed in
half OF the States OF the Union, and recognised by
the federal constitution, and the agitation Of questions
concerning il had than threatened the peace if
the existence Of the Union IL in advance such
strcton had been established BY law, not 10 be
expected that treaty OF peace by which territory
should be ceded could have been ratified by the Senate
Of the United States Happily, the effort did not prevail,
and the treaty by which the United States acquired large
territorial extension ratified by the Senale But the
question continued TO agate the country during the
mainder OF Mr. Folks administration,
am aware OF the extreme delcacy OF abiding the
present occasion TO this deeply interesting topic, nvov
ing most important rights Of the States and Of the people
the peace and harmony OF the Union itself But deem
act OF justice to the memory OF the late President
present. BY references TO his own public messages the
views which he entertained and the which he
pursued. shall do this in controversial spirit, but
Illustrative OF his character, and in the sincere hope that
bis patriotic sentiments may yet aid his country in "ad
lusting the only domestic question which seriously
threatens, probably threaten 10 disturb the
harmony and successful operation of our system"
Though dead, he yet .peaketh"
In urging on Congress the duty OF providing govern
ments for the acquired territories In his last annual
sage, and aludng 10 the failure OF for that OBJ
ject, at the former session, he said
with the opening Of increased prosperity and
national which the acquisition rich and
extensive territorial ssons affords, how irrational
would be TO orego or reject those advantages by the aEta
ton Of domestic question which is coeva with
sence Of government, and TO endaDger by internal
strfes, geographical division and heated contests for
political power, for any other cause, the harmony
Of the glorious union Of our confederated States; that
union which binds us together as one people. and
which for sixty has been shield add projection
against every danger Ours s the great example Of pros
porous and free selfgoyerned republic commanding the