Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-06
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6. 1850.
Mr.. Bell and The Mexican War.


Mr.. Bell and the Mexican War.
We have already published extracts from Mr..
BELLS celebrated speech on the "Bill to raise for
limited time, additional Military Force more
generally known as,the Ten Regiment Bill"
That speech, it viii be remembered concluded with
the following words: MY advice is Stop the war!
Flee the country you would city doomed to de
Etruction by fire from Heayen.'
This speech was made by Mr. BELL just two months
and eleven days after his election u S Senator by
the Legislature of Tennessee. The Bill upon which
the speech was.made was regarded as important by
the President, (Nlr. PoLK,) was reported by Gen
CAss the Chairman of the Committee Military
Affairs, and passed by the Senate, notwithstanding
Mr.. BELL 5 speech and vote against it. Was the con-
duct of Mr. BELL in accordance with the sentiments
of his State, his party his avowed sentiments
at the time of his election? Let us examine. There
were several Wing candidates for the Senate before
the Legislature. The Wing party was in power
The struggle lasted for considerable time Mr.
BELL himself was a member of the Legislature at
that time, but was not at first known to be a candi-
date for the Senate Two of the Democratic mem
bers addressed note to the various candidates in
curing their views upon certain prominent issues
1t was as follows:
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Oct. %. IS4S.
Dear Sa: We beg leave to ask you shall
other candidates for the Office of Senator from Ten
Ressee IN the Congress Of the United States the fol-
lowing questions lst. II chosen Senator will you
advocate and vote for the repeal Of the Tariff Act
of 1916 VIII you advocate the vigorous prOsCcu-
ton Of the present war with Mexico? VIII YOU adj
vOcate the WilmOt Provso as discussed at the last
session Of Congress.
Respectfully, your obedient servants.
W. P. RowIEs,
b. MARTIN
So far as we know, Mr.. BELL not being known as
candidate this note was not addressed tohm. We
make the following extracts from the replies of
those of the candidates which have fallen under
our eye. Hon. E. II. FOSTER, under date Of October
29th, said:
In regard to your second proposition I have no
struggle in my mind and never had. l have uni
fOrmly deprecated the executive movement which,in
my deliberate conviction fastened if, indeed it did
not in point of fact, originate the Mexican war and
/ still deprecate and condemn that movement. but
from the moment that the Congress of the United
S.ates-the only high constitutional controller Of
the sword-sanctlOncd the deed and proclaimed hos
tlities, have said and believed that it was the duty
of every American citizen, without distinction of
party, to look upon Ii national conflict. and to
aid II IN its vigorous prosecution until the country.
should be blessed or relieved by honorable peace
Judge W. B. REESE, under date of October 30th,
said
ID l would give my support and influence in
favor Of a vigorous prosecution Of the war with
Mexico.
Col. }. \ WHrEsIDE. il a :letter to Gen. BEArcHER
under date Of November nth, lSl7. said:
think the war with Mexico should be vigorously
prosecuted to an honorable peace, and 10 this end
that all the necessary means should be promptly
furnished by Congress and that in treaty of peace
Thr [Fo~a ha hK
for It's expenses.
GCol ROBERTSON TORI in his reply dated October
10Th, said
L am in favor of supplying men and money with
out Sint, TO carry the war with Mexico, with
the utmost energy-as the best and only means of
terminating the rupture between the two cOun-
tries
Gov. NELYS. Brown in his message delivered No
vemBer Sth,;lSl7 just,two weeks before Mr.. BELLS
election, said:
While have no concurrence with those whose po-
Icy conceive led TO and prcciptatcd the country
into this war feel as little concurrence and SYM
uathv with others who opposed TO the prOseCu-
ton of the That believe to be a false posi-
ton, in any and every view Of the national rights
and national dignity and authority. The nation is
committed to the by its Constitutional authori
and the voice of the nation Is imperative upon
the people. feel and appreciate the obligation in
its fullest extent. The nation desires peace, but
peace can be obtained now only through war. And
whatever might have been done in the earlier stages
of il. by Withdrawing the army and establishing
line % ports, according to the advice Of great and
good men, fear that time has past. This policy
now fear would only heighten the evaporation of
the Mexican people and make tine consequences still
more disastrous by rendering the attainment OF any
permanent peace Indefinite. in my Judgment ito
conquer peace" Is made indispensable there Is
no other alternative. Then let the nations power
be summoned TO a mighty effort and let 1t break
upon that devoted country, peal after peal IN one
unceasing note of thunder! Let the public right
arm be made bare. and the sword remain unsheath-
ed until peace is eXtorted The public interest re
Quircs thIs-COmmerCe both domestic and foreign
demands it-Our currency, winch must De ELECTED
by such a powerful continuing cause claims II.
Quiet and repOse. business and thrift OF every de
scriptiOn, now begin TO make their loud appeal
satisfied that economy, both OF blood and trea |
sure dictates that policy. And It IS to be regretted
and with me the regret Is cO-eYll with the It
self that a large force was called into prompt
Tequisition at the hegiening. Peace would have |
crowned the eG0rt, verify believe, long since |
Had the volunteer force Of $4,000 men been called
into service Immediately upon their grant by Con |
gress the moral effect at that iuncture might have
induced peace. And what could not such force, |
added TO the regular army have done in the posture
of affairs then in Mexico? The whole country |
could have been Overrun long since and peace eN- |
torted and at less than half the present loss Of lite
and treasure. Our army, though equal to Roman |
egiOns. has been too small TO follow up its victo-
ries, has been proven at every stage of the
As 20 the questions which lie behind the attainment
of peace they are to my mind full of difficulty.
Speculation alone can now reach them. trust that
all ground of apprehension may disappear under
the influence of wise and harmonious counses.
The Nashville UNION of the 9th March, lS4S, says
that Gov NEIL S. Brown made 1t the most promi-
point Of his canvass that he was in favor Of
more vigorous prosecution Of the war than the adj
mnistraton was and wanled even 100000 men, at
least sent TO Mexico"
We have thus shown what WAS the sentimentsof |
hr, BELLS party at the time Of his election in rels-
uOn 10 vigorous prosecution Of the war Now let
US see what were Mr. BELLS avowed sentiments
Wheh he was elected. The Nashville UNION of De
eelnOeT 3D. iSi'' referring to the position of Mr..
BELL as ne was understood 30 have defined If in
nee auu 'I'lA conversation, both before and after
his election, says:
1t is understood that the late speech and -,..7.
tons Of Mr.. Clay, far they fav,r e., sun
fixing boundary 10 Texas, without regard IN IN
demuity for past injuries and the expenses - ~,
war. meet with Mr.. Bells decided uDnnsf,5, VI INC INC
that he, on the contrary, maintains the l,ronrilt
and importance Of holding possession of so r,1rb >.
the conquered territory, embracing New Vay;,
and Upper California as will constitute annie i,
demnty and that such treaty Of peace securing
such indemnify would receive his cordial support"
HAlr. BELL in his speech against the Ten Regiment
bill admitted that when he went to Washington
he expected to vote for every such measure. He
said
- came b Washington expecting to give my sup
port to every such measure the present that might