*' As a friend of peace, present and prospective, I am in favor of this proviso. The object of this war being the acquisition of southei'n territory, as long as there is a hope of accomphshing this object, there will be no peace. Put an end to this hope ; and you at once put an end to the war, by defeating its object. The moment the President finds this proviso accompanying this grant of money, he * Speech of Mr. Brinkerhoff, Feb. 10, 1847. Cong. Globe.
t See Journal df Congress, April 19, 1784.
will be for making peace, and so will all the South, They want no restricted territory. If the restriction is imposed, and the territory acquired is to be free, from that moment the President would pay Mexico to keep her territory, rather than bring it in on such conditions. I am for the proviso, therefore, because it will bring us peace. Im- pose this restriction, and Mr. Polk will say he wants no territory, the South will say they want none ; we say, agreed, we want none. Then, if Mexico is to lose no territory, she will be for peace ; and, if we are to acquire none, what are we fighting for ? Then impose this restriction, and the war will be promptly ended to the great benefit and joy of both Republics."
The avowals of southern members, the messages of southern Governors, the action of southern Legislatures, and the language held by slaveholders assembled in popular meetings, all bear witness to the wisdom, foresight, and truth, of Mr. Stewart's remarks.
The alarm and irritation of the south caused by the introduction of the proviso, was greatly augmented by the cu'cumstance of its orig-inatinor with the northern O CD democracy ; with that party which had heretofore cheer- fully sacrificed the right of petition, and the freedom of debate, and had consented to the annexation, of Texas, through subserviency to southern interests. The slave- holders felt that they were now in their utmost need deserted by the friends, who had hitherto