Mr. DAVIS. Mr. President, I was one of the 5 that voted in favor of the reposition of the honorable Senfrom owa [Mia Games] in opposition to the predecessor of the measure that is now before the Senate. I have not changed in my opposition to the measure. I was opposed to it partly upon the ground suggested by the liOIlOftlble Senfrom Dela ware, and also upon the ground su gested by the honorable Senfrom Ohio wfio has just taken his seat. In addition to my distrust of the power of our Government to take art in such an Exhibition, I thought with him t iat we were too distant from the theater where this Exhibition is to take place, that the ocean rolling between France and us would renderitim possible for the U.S. to make anything like a respectable appearance at the ‘ExIhibition, and the refore I was opposed to it. am also opposed to the proposition which the honorable Senfrom Iowa has made to amend this resolution, not because I am opposed to the proosition itself, (for that I am in favor of decidedly and unhesitatingly,) but I think it is too grave a reposition, one of too much dignity to be ina e in connection with the resolution now under consideration. I am informed that an understanding has taken place between the French Government and the SecyState that the French forces are to be withdrawn in divisions from Mexico by articular days. Being myselfa friend of the h on roe doctrine, having read the papers when it was 1st announced, and given my youthful and enthusiastic support to that doctrine, it has ever since been acherished sentiment with me. On any and all occasions where that doctrine can be asserted or practically enforced so as to keep the foot of European Powers from this continent, I am always willing to assert it. If the honorable Senfrom Ohio or any other gentleman would introduce a resolution to this purport, that an understanding having been come to by our Government and Louis Napo lcon‘s Government that the French troops shall be withdrawn, according to the terms, not of the stipulation, but according to the mode which he himself decided upon. I believe, under the influence of the protest of our Government against their remaining there, and 5 which was satisfactory to our Government, the Congress of the U.S. expect him faith fully to execute that purpose as e announced it to our Government, I would vote for such a resolution most cheerfully, and I believe it would receive the unanimous support of congress, or nearly so. I think that in that form it would be appropriate, and it would have much more moral power, both with the French Government and with the world, than to assert such a principle as that and endeavor to allix it to the present measure as an amendment to it. Mr. President, I frankly concede that of the ability of the Mexican peeple for self government and for the maintenance of free institutions I have very little hope. I believe they are too degenerate, too mongrel, and too infe rior in their characteristics to meet the question of the capacity of a people for self government at all. But however that may be, they have a right to be left alone; they have the right to be uninterrupted by the ambitious projects of Louis Napoleon or Maximilian or any other European otentate or Power; and in the assertion of tie Monroe doctrine I would be willing for the Government of the U.S. to interpose for their protection, and if needs be, to sweep the French forces from Mexico and to leave the people of Mexico to work out their own destinies. I believe, with the honorable Senfrom Ohio, that at the close of the late war, and even now, that could be done by the militar' power of the U.S. in 60 days. I believe that such an operation would authorizea re'expression of the f“amous epistle of Caesarwhen he invaded Spain, Vent, vidi, vici." Whenever Louis Napoleon or the French Government manifests unmis takably a purpose not to evacuate Mexico, but' to seek to continue the French power and in Iluence there, through Maximilian or b any other medium, I am then in favor of the U.S. interfering and bringing all such ambi tious purposes to a close. Sir, I am so much a friend to the Monroe doctrine that I believe recently there has been a fit opportunity for a further demonstration of it in relation to other Powers on the continent of America. The invasion by Spain' of Chili and Peru, in m humblejudgment, was altogetherunauthorize, and was a manifestation of the arbitrary power of a nation that was superior in military and naval resources to those republics for the purpose of humiliating them and bringing injury and degradation upon them. It struck me that the attack, bombardment, and destruction in part of Valparaiso by the Spanish forces was an outragc, not only upon the principle of the Monroe doctrine, but also on humanity, and that the naval forces of the U.S. that were then present in that port ought to have interfered for the purpose of protecting that defenseless city against such a ndal attack. With these sentiments, I think the honorable Senfrom Ohio and the honorable Senfrom Iowa will be satisfied that I am as much in favor of the Monroe doctrine and as much opposed to the occupation of Mexico by the French, or by Maximilian, under the pat ronage of the French Emperor, as they are; but I do not think that this is the appropriate time or mode in which such a great sentiment of policy upon the part of the Government of the U.S. in the assertion of the non-roe doctrine, and in its application to the present position of the French empire and power in that country, should be made. I shall therefore vote against the amendinentproposed by the Senfrom Iowa. I was one of the minority of 5 to which the honorable Senfrom NewYork alluded, that the Senfrom Iowa could command in the 1st op iosition to this measure. I carts nothing a at standing with a minority of 5. I would care nothing for standing in a minority of one be sides myself, or even alone in my opposition to this measure, or to any other to which I felt prepared to manifest my opposition. I care not about minorities or majorities, or even the success of measures, or of my opposition to measures. I vote according to my judgment on their merits; and when I have given a vote upon any measure whatever, notwithstanding itmay meet the fate of defeat, and a defeat of but 5 of a minority of 0 [position or of but one of an opposition, I woul) stand no less firm in my op position in relation to the measure.