The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-12


ident Of the United States, for three regiments oi
volunteer infantry or ridemen. for the service oi
the United States, in the pending war with the
/ Repobc of Mexico. This call of the President
was made in obedience TO the act OF the 18th May,
1916, which had passed both branches of Con-
gress, by an almost unanimous vote. The stand
ing forces of the United States then engaged in the
| war, were believed to be in imminent peril; and
the national defence near the seat Of war, was sup
posed to require immediate assistance from the
volunteer militia Of the States. Under the high
responsibilities imposed on me, did not feel my
self at liberty to disregard this call upon the pari-
otism of the State. However much the existence
of the war may be deplored, and however great
the difference OF opinion about the unfortunate
events which led to it, when the state was duly
called upon, under the authority Of the constitu-
ton and laws Of the United States, for military
aid, the solemn injunctions of duty imposed upon
me as the Executive officer of the state, as well as
every dictate of patriotism, imperativey demand
ed, as considered, prompt and energetic action
on my part TO comply with the call. in the true
meaning and spirit of the constitution. If, when
war be actually existing between the United
States and foreign nation and duly recognized by
| law of Congress, q state, when called upon by
the national authorities, be at liberty to disregard
the injunctions Of the constitution and judge for
itself, as to the necessity and expedieney of the
ted States or to afford only fatering, unwilling.
and Intellectual aid, the supremacy of our system
of government must soon be at an end. and the
constitutional muniments of our national defence
prove unavailing. When the emergency Of a war
with foreign nation is actually existing, no su-
perficial Considerations Of temporary inconveni-
ence or pecuniary sacrifice, should prevent the
performance of these high duties of patriotism
which each state of the national confederacy, as
I.---I IL A. skA
country and to the cause of civil liberty.
| Upon the receipt of this call made by the Presl-
dent, promp! and efficient measures were taken:to
raise the volunteer military force required from
this State; on the 17,h day Of June, l846, dellv
cred over to the authority of the United States, ,un
der the command of Brig Gen. Wool, of the Uni
ted States Army, three regiments OF volunteer
troops, duly organized ss required by law. These
three regiments consisted Of thirty full companies,
composed chiefly OF young men Of high promise,
whose public spirit and patriotic devotion to the
of their country is ajust ground OF pride and
qualification to every citizen Of the State They
have, upon a sudden call of their country, separa-
ted themselves from their homes, their business
and their friends, and gone into distant country
to face all the casualties and hardshps off military
| campaign in an unfavorble climate and against an
enemy long Injured to warfare. nevery emergen-
cy OF the service, the Ohio Volunteers will fully
sustain the honor of the State. and, doubt not be
found capable of the noblest feats OF vaor and en-
terprise.
| In collecting and embodying these troops, in sub
sisting and transporting them to the place of gen.
| era rendezvous at Cincinnati, and in furnishing
them with some essential materials for tents, camp
equippage, &c., very considerable expenditure
ofmoney was necessarily incurred A prompt and
faithful compliance with the call of the National
Government for volunteers, made this expenditure
unavoidable. The call was sudden, and the peo-
pie of the State had not in anticipation prepared
themselves for the emergencies ofmilitary life. 1t
was not pI icable to collect and organize the vol
unteer companies and transport them to the gen.
| eral encampment near Cincinnati, without the
payment of their necessary incidental expenses;
aud even then, the volunteers who were sePara-
ting themselves from their private pursuits and all
the attachments of home, were subjected to incon-
veniences and difficulties, before they reached
Cincinnati, to which our people are but little ac-
customed.
The Government of the United States has failed
thus far to perform its duty in paying this expend
ture or refundng the money advanced. The sub
sistence alone cf the thirty companies which were
rece, ed into the service of the United States, af
ter the time of their arrival at the place of general
rendezvous is all or nearly all OF the expenditure
which has been refunded as yet by the Genera
Government
The Adiutant General of the State is now a
Washington, engaged in the settlement OF this bu
siness with the War Department; and in shor
time special communication will be made, whcl
will bring the SUBJECT of these expenditures, an
the matters connected Herewith, fully before you
r The army ofthe United States is now in posses
sion, by means Of conquest, Of five of the pravin
ces of Mexico-Tamaulipas, New Leon, Chihua
hua, New Mexico, and California. The mhtar
commander who headed the forces which took pos
session of New Mexico, has affected TO make
formal annexation of this province to the Unite
States-has proclaimed himself Governor OF IN
province-assumed the exercise Of civil authorit
over the people of that country, and actually re
quired some of them 10 take an oath Of allegianc
to the United States.
Ifthe object of the President of the United States
in sending an army into the interior of Mexico, b.
solely to compel the 20, ernment of that countr
to the terms Of speedy and honorable peace, suc
proceedings may, perhaps, be excusable, 1t not en-
tirely justifiabe. But if the purpose and effect Q
this invasion of Mexico, by our armies, be the &C
QUESTION of territory, and the annexation OF tn
subjugated provinces to our national confederacy
have no hesitation in pronouncing it violatio
of the fundamental principles of our governmen
and of the spirit and true intent of our nationa
} constitution. The Government of the Unite
States has no right to engage in war Of aggressio
| and conquest. The very introduction Ia the Con
sttution, expressive Of its whole object and intent
most explicitly declares the sole design of our Gov
!: ernment to be ''to form more perfect union, es
tabsh Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provid
for the common defence, promote the general we
fare ,and secure the blessings of liberty to ourseve
and our posterity And the whole context and spin
it of the Constitution clearly repeIls the idea, tha
, the United States can engage in any war, excer
, when necessary for the common defence. and
insure the internal tranquility OF the county,
Our national confederacyis is one of limited powers
and clearly gives no authority to annex the prov
inces of a foreign nation by mere conquest, with
out the authority even of a law Of Congress. an
, without the consent Of the people ofthe countr.
to which those foreign pI Iovinces belong Whetf
er the gross usurpation OF civil authority, commit
Q ted by the military commander who has subjugate
: the province of New Mexico, win receive III
!, treatment il merits at the hands of the nation;
: government. remains to be determined. There
no rule Of the jus bei established by the Practic
Of nations, which can authorize disregard of ii
: Constitution aud Of the limited purposes and legi
! i'm ate designs of our national compact. Let ju