Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1860-09-15
John Bell and the Mexican War.

As usual with Democratic speakers Of the Yancey
order, they are trying to pcrvert the truth by max
ing it appear that JOHN BELL, while in the Senate,
voted against furnishing the necessary Supplies for
carrying on the war with Mexico, thereby attempting
to deprive our gallant soldiers of all aid and comfort
while fighting the enemy in their own country. The
real facts Of the case are stuliously withheld in every
instance, in order that Mr.. BELLS conduct may ap-
pear more glaring and outrageous. Let the truth be
known. and let the people judge as to the truth Of
the charge. They are As follows A bill was intro
dnccd in the Senate of the United States in January,
1sls to raise, for a limitei time. al additional mil.
tnry force, commonly known ~ the Ten Reg iment
bill. At that time the American army numbered
s., ooo soldiers, aud h-li possession of the chief
strong points of the country. including the capitol.
with all their defence-whiIe the MEXICAN army had
been beaten aud scatter i. The country was in the
power of our armies, which were fully able to hold
it against all contingencies. They we're free from
danger from any quarter. The raising of an adli-
tionAl force was therefore UNNECESSARY But Mr.
BILL then believed that the policy of the aamini~tra
ton was to overrun the whole Of Mexico and to es-
fablish there a military rrotectorate, and tho final
annexation of the entire country to the United States,
and that the bill was but y means to efiectnate this
policy. 1t was against this policy that Mr.. Bell
planted himself on that occasion. and not '.agains,
necessary supplies" That speech was one of the
most powerful that he ever delivered, and over
whelmed and put to route the conquest and annexa-
ton forces. While he was engaged in that mastery |
effort OF craftsmanship, the very day, a treaty of
peace was concluded between the two countries.
which embraced substantially the recommendation
of MIR. Bell, and on the 10th Of March following the
treaty thus concluded was confirmed, with slight
amendments. by the Senate, receiving the vote of 26
Democrats, among whom were Mr.. Turney, of Tennes-
see-Mr. Bell hin, elf voting for it This speech did
more to bring about the result and stop a useless |
efusion of blood and an unnecessary expenditure Of
money than all the other speeches made on the sub
ject Of that war put together. It will never cease TO
reflect honor upon its mltchless author as a man
and a statesman.
In connection with the above, the elitor Of the
Nashville Patriot. Il the Soth ult., says:
He made but one important speech on
the subject, and that was delivered IN the Senate on
the very day that tho treaty Of peace was concluded
Feb I'd, lS4S-and opposed the unnecessary con-
of the war by raising additional forces,
when our strength WAS sufficient for our justice and
safety, and opposing the scheme of the conquest aud
annexation of the whole of Mexico, which he believed
then to be on foot. He voted to confirm that treaty
in company with John c. Calhoun and twenty Eve
other Democratic Senators. Will the Mail do itself
and Dir. Bell the justice to publish these facts p