Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-22

The question recuIs is not the act OF Congress
itself declaration of war; The Constitution
provides that Congress shall have power
TO declare war" nation having received
injuries from another which she deems sufficient
TO justify her in waeng war against another may
declare that she is about TO engage in it. THIS
she may do by formal bill, or manifesto, or pro.
clamailon, or as il was done BY the ancienls, by
sending herald 10 The borders OF The enemy's
country and proclaimipg il with trumpet. She
may moi only declare il beforehand, but, exerci-
sing her forbearance and her disposition 10 main
tain peace, she may wait until il is declared BY
her enemy or waeed without such declaration,
and then content herselfby declaring the fact that
Slate Of war exists. The later has been lhe
course pursued BY Congress, and by doing so The
Constitution has been vindicaled and Congress
has not yielded up its power by acknowledging
the existence Of war created by the President
alone, but il mas assumed the responsibility e
declaring that "6y Tie act Of the Republic Of llez-
ico, Stale Of war exists between that Govern
ment and the United Stales." And if We had no
other cause for war than the boundary Of Texas,
and II that boundary was doubtful one, yet we
have acquired right Of having recourse 10 force
by The refusal of Mexico to receive our ambas-
sador charged with powers to discuss and agree
upon all matters in dispute between the two ma
lions. Vatel lays il down clearly, that "n things
doubtful and not essential if one OF The parties
will not listen, either 10 conferences, an accom-
mediation, negotiation or compromise, the
other has only the last resource for The defence Of
himself and his rights the means OF force-and
his arms are just against SO unrac.abe an ad-
versary"
But We are told BY orr neighbors that "Mr.
Folk has determined that war re shall have,
and as Congress has called the present state Of ar
lars state OF war, he sezes the occasion
10 spring upon The country this insidious pro.
clamaion." Lei us see how just is this
charge against Mr.. Polk, and whether he
would discharge his duty TO our own country
men, and 10 the Iest oil The world, il he were 10
neglect proclaiming so important fact. Con-
gress declares that state OF war exists by The
act Of MEXICO. How is his fact 10 be made
known TO our vessels OF war in every seal How
is il 10 be made known officially 10 our merchant
men in every par, Of the word2 Is he 10 send
ships 10 hunt up our tars, and make Them ac-
quainied with the laci, and warn them OF The dan
ger they may encounlsI2 Or, is he 10 proclaim
II 10 The world tha they may obtain The in,eIli-
sence at every port into which they may cnrerl
Neutral nations will understand that The &C, of
Congress, which the proclamation quotes is the
declaration OF war, contemplated by our Const-
tuition, and they will look 70 their interests and
their rights. The course he pursued was one
due TO our army and navy due 10 foreign ma
lions; due 10 Mexico herself; due to each Stale
in the Union; due 10 every citizen, howsoever
humble he may he-for, in a etate OF war, each
citizen is deemed The enemy of every citizen Of
The nation with whom the war is wased. II is
simple Authorization of The act OF Congress 10
prevent imposition, and 10 announce the fact that
such an act had received the sanction OF The con-
s,ituled authorities of The country.
But the Preeident /, charged with having Gre
aled the war, by sending our army TO the hanks
Of the Rio Grande. Is this charge founded in
jus,ice2 The State of Texas was an integral
member OF The Mexican Coniederacy, not of The
Stale Of Mexico. 1t was an independent Stale,
and united itself with Mexico and other States in
Confederacy alter the plan OF our Federal
Union, and with The rest adopted Constitution
for the government Of the whole. When this
Constitution was violated by The Mexicaus and
their military rulers The Texans did moi choose
10 submit, but declared themselves independent;
asserting, al the same time, their willingness 10
abide by The Constitution which had been agreed
10, and return into The Union whenever the other
States should adhere 10 The government 10 which
all had assenied The State Of Texas never con-
stitu,ed an integral part Of the State OF Mexico
each Slate possessed separate territory and sepa
rate boundares-TeIas claiming as its bounda-
nv the Rio Grande. They nobly sustained their
independence, and we're recognised as distinct
nation by The United States and several Of the
most powerful nations OF Europe. Subsequently,
BY the voluntary act OF boh States, they have be-
come united In their Constitution they pro-
claim The Rio Grande as their boundary The
people betU cen The Nueces and the Rio Grance
took part in he formation Of The Texan Stale,
VOted LOT delegates 10 tHe CONVENTION winch
framed The Constitution, voted upon the ralifca-
lion Of the Constitution, unite in sending dele
gates 10 the State Legislature, constitute a re-
venue district in the State, and were looked upon
BY The people OF Texas as a component part of
that State The United States, in annexins Tex
as 10 The Union, reserved however the right 10
settle The conflicting rights OF boundary. An
Ambassador is sent 10 Mexico 10 treat Of all
matters in dispute between The two nations, en-
bracing boundary &. well as Other claims. The
Mexcans Indignantly refuse 10 receive our m
hassador, or 10 treat with US upon any terms;
and claim not only the country between the Rio
Grande and The Nuects, but The whole OF Texas
10 The Sabine. They not only set up This unjust
and illegal claim, but they proceedto concentrate
troops on the frontier The Constitution pro.
vides that "full faith and credit shall be given 10
each Stale to The public acts, records and judicial
proceedings ofevery other Stale" Is the Presi-
dent to give less credit 10 such acts than the States
,hemselves are required 10 gve7 Texas by hel
Constitution maintains her boundary to The Rio
Grande She has equal rights with the other
Slales-lhey are required 10 give faith and credit
10 her acts; bat the President is 10 deny such faith
10 her Fundamental law and 10 take sides win her
enemy and permit that enemy 10 take possession
OF the territory thus claimed Had he done so,
he would have violated every obligation Of The
Constitution requiring him 10 defend The territory
of the States; he would have violated The jus, ex.
pec,atons Of The Texans when they entered into
our Union, and he would have been justly charge
able with neglect Of duty and would have incur.
red The Just censure oflliose who now denounce him
for the opposite course. He was bound 10 advance
such troops as were al his disposal into the dis
pu,ed territory and not permit az inch Of il 10 be
taken possession Of SO long as force could pre-
vent il, such force as was placed within his power
! by The laws oil the Union. "lf a nation" saws
Vael, us obliged 10 preserve itself, it is no, less
obliged carefully to preserve all its members l'hs
nation owes this TO itself, since the loss of even
70 opHt 10