The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-06-14

once 10 what MI webster aud the President SAY up
on the subject Of an existing war bstween Mexico
and Texas that they both describe IL az consisting
Of these very predatory tnourso,s" OF expeditions
which Nattel expressly says do not constitute -" gill
n.ats war" OF give rise TO any OF the sGeeis and
rights" of legal state OF war.
Much has been said, Mr.. President, about the ar
mistiee which, il Is said was agreed TO some twelve
months ago between Mexico and Texas, and Is al
legged 10 be stub virtually subssting, as admitting a
state of war between these two Powers. Without
rcmaIking on the apparent contradiction OF relying
upon the suspension OF To prove the existence oil
war, nothing is more obvious, think, on looking INTO
the papers which have been communicated 10 US on
this subject han that the wat had come completely
10 end by the inability vf the parties to prosecute
II Extensively that il had thus expired by ts own ex-
haustion, and that the forms of an armisice had
been esorted To solely to disguise this fact, and To
make, the termination Of the war, which event
already consummaed, appear The result Of mutual
and temporary agreement. What our late able and
successful Minister at Mexico General Thompson
says the subject, IN despatch dated recently
the % Of February last is direct to the point,
and conclusive IN itself, that will content myself
with merely reading II to the Senate;
sit" (the armisce) says he, "was only device
on the part OF Santa Anna 10 relieve him from the
difficulty IN which he had Involved himself by has
threats and promises OF reconquering Texas, which
he knows perfectly well is impossible. There may
he other marauding iorays, like that Of Gen. VOL,
retreatng more rapidly than they advanced. But as
10 any regular and reasonably sufficient force nva-
ding The country the thing is impossible, aud will
be attempted. They cannot raise money to sup
port such an army two months. My opinion Is not
@ithstandng all their vaporing and gasconlde, that
the most agreeable thing to Santa Anna would be an
authoritative nterposton of our Government TO put
an end TO the war; lie would then say that we were
too strong for them 10 contend with"
But, sli, even if there were war-foImal and actual
wn-bctween Mexico and Texas what 1yincipie Of
the taic 81 nations Ii there that would be violated as
has been constantly but gratuitously assumed in this
debate by third Power Of she thought her duties to
herself to her neighbor to the of huma atty
required ny becoming party. | very lar from
couuseliing such course in the case OF The United
States. But | am now considering the question as
depending upon the LnU Of naiiods Alone the authority
OF which has been very oiien invoked in this debate
without attending sufficiently 10 that distinction Of
IDEAS DO important to be preserved in such discussions
Is there ything more common in The usages of ma
lions THAI Powers at war strengthening themselves
when they can, by alliances contac ed after the
mencement oithe war} And has il been hesrd
oithat third Power, entering into such alliance,
whether from considerations If humanity or policy,
has, by doing SO, violated the iaio Of nations Never
| venture to assert.
1t has been shown think, by und.spu,ed historical
acts, that there was fLAGaANT war between Spain
and Mexico (ai that time treated by Spain as re-
VOTED pruvlnce,) when the Government of the u III
ted States twice during the administration of Mr.
Adams, and once under the adminisi ration of Gene
raj Jackson earnestly sought acquire Texas from
Mexico OF whose territory and r,hIica organic alton
IT was then member. The state Of open and undo
niable war between Spain aud Mexico carried on al
times, by great display of II itary glory and by i'm
p sing expeditions wHich drew The attention ofthe
world was not deemed, by the able and xpere need
atesmen who Thea presided the conduct of put
lie affairs To be insuperabe oh tacle to the acqu
son OF Texas from one of the parties at war though
still claimed by the other int, gal part of her
dominlons, we had indeed formally acknowled! ed
1t to be by the treaty of 1919.
he history Of Europe, and .f modern Europe
abounds with instances, in which the ocy and in
terests OF thrd Powers have been recognised and al
lowed as unsuitable causes for dsrega riding and even
torcSiy seitiog aside the claims Of the parent and
metropolitan state over a reyoited province. The
care Of Holland and GUM, in 1880, is one SO
strongly marked IN all las features that, having bee N
IN Europe al the time, add IN some sort personal
witness OF the Transaction, can speak Of il without
much risk OF falling into error. The revolutionary
movement IN Belgium broke out in the month OF Sep
tenber 1880, just two months after the IN, mora lie
trOs jotunees Of Paris. In January 1881 Iess than
jour short months alter the OF ih,
iuIon, ths hive great Powers Europe through a con
ference of then respective Ministers al London un-
deroOk 10 proclaim and decree the permanent sepafa
uon"f Belgium from Holland. Holland, recullect- |
isg the days OF her ancient power and glory deter
mined no. 10 MT, end organ zod and brought into
the htid an army ni so 600 well appointed troops all
suihcenl to re establish her dominion and authority
of the strength and imposing courtenance of this |
army, for passed through IT. headquarters while as
sembled at Breda The Prince of Orange, then the |
heir sppar' I and now the actual King u Holland |
was at the mead of this powerful array, and over
whelming every opposition IN his victorious march he |
arrived az the gates of Brussels where he was met BY
Sir Robert Adam and General Brard the respec- |
tive Plenipotenriuries Of England and France who |
announced TO HIM, Ia the name and by the authority
Of their Governments, that II he advanced step fur
ther he Would lie wit Eranca al f.,
land, and numerous and powerful Flenoh army |
under the command Of Marshal Gerard, was then |
rapidly Advancing and had actually entered the terri
TORY OF belgium Tor the purpose of supporting the de-
claration. 1 hus was Holland, at the very nome nj |
of entering VIGOROUSLY the capital of her revolted
subjects, and uiumphantly e-estabshinp her author
ny and power over ae finest 20. ton Of hen European
uonhions arrested and turned back by the armed in-
PREVENTION oil England and France
1 he sequel II this remarkable chapter in the his
Tory oil Europe IL known 10 all the Senate Holland
sun retaining several strong places within the Iim,s
OF Belgium, was imperiously required by the con-
le,enGe o. me rive fo~ers at London TO eyacua,e
entirely the territory Of Belgium. She refused 10
comply and again numerous aud powerful French
army was marched into Belgium and after a siege
oil ncN month, reduced to ruins one of Inc s,ron,
est military works Of Europe the citadel of Ant
n.LP "hl.n us valiant commander Baron Chasee
uelenued 20 ihe last extremity with fortitude and
herosm recalling the proudest DAYS of the military
renown oil hs country So terminated a granJ soene
OF European policy and military diplomacy. WI eb
'orciOy deprived Holland of one half of her king
dom and annertd IT, morally speaking, for every on.
VINO eonlemPia'es the family and political connex-
lons OF The highly respectable sovereign of Beginn
ana ms necessary dependence foreign support IN
'he eVenM am great European convusions' must
20 CONSIDER II as JOINT qPancge T. the crowns of
England and France N'''"' VI
nave mus, Mr.. President reviewed the leadirr
and prominent objections which have hceb prred -
Ihs debate, against the re anne alton of ,bs
Uni'ed states With all the respect entertain for
me opinions OF honorable Senators have moi been
aole 10 see IN those objections ell the weight and
oroe 'hey attach to them. Yet there are considers
'ons fu''e conclusive TO my mind against the ratf-
cation at this time of the treat, b.ior, no No.
IS q ncighhnrlnn and lrDondI. -''.V