The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-10

east OF the Rio Grande was the possession OF Mexico
The west an equal extent, under the control OF
Texas Ii was this part OF the country actually under
the control OF Texas of which the President speaks
being subject TO the authority OF the State OF Texas
which was occupied by armies and II was here
that the operations OF which gentlemen the other side
complained Were carried on. But said other purposes
were concealed If not in the resolution ITSELF certainly IN
the speeches of the gentlemen the other side OF the
Mr.. SCHENCK Will the gentleman allow me to
ask question Leaving out OF view all that the Pres
dent had said, desire TO ask whether he believes that
Santa Fe is within the limits OF the United States
and is one Of the districts OF Texas land Il so, how he
reconcies that with the esab shment OF distinct terri
torial government there under the orders OF General
| keamyl
| Mr. STANTON. | answer the gentleman by stating
that have believed Santa Fe TO be within the
territory Of Texas, although believe that the territory
between the Nueces and the Rio Gande with an unset
tied boundary as the river advanced believe that that
has properly belonged TO Texas since the battle OF
San Jacnto That is my answer | might refer to the
remarks OF the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr.
WSTHRoPl yesterday, in reference to that part OF the
message OF the President, near its commencement, IN
which he alludes to the opposition made in many quar-.
tiers TO this Wharf.-The denunciaons by gentlemen on that
side OF the House. and BY the newspapers OF their party
| throughout the country-and the general line OF
conduct which the President eharaceriZes aoring
| "ad and comfort" 10 the enemy. The gentleman from
Massachusetts seems to think that the President trench
ing the liberty of debate in this House-that he Is
Stunning the high and despotc power of declaring those
who make these speeches and publish these articles gull
IT.,
this TO say, that far as know the views of the Pes
dent-eertainly so far az my views concerned
debate here as free as any gentleman here would desire
il to be- Those who regard this unjust have the
| right TO say So Those who regard Executive
may characterize it when and where and often
they please. Those who behold our brave volunteers
marching to the mouth OF the cannon and falling the
bloody field OF battle, and yet believe that they are en-
gagged in unjust cause have right, If they choose to
dampen the spirits OF our srmies, and animate the
hearts of the foe, by saying II is their privilege to
do so. But II say that by such language they are
aordng laid and comfort" to the enemy, claim but
the same right to characterize their conduct il deserves
to be characterized The President states nothing but
facts He states that these declantons-these articles
from the leading papers OF the opposite party in this city
have been published throughout MeXco-haye been pro-
claimed to the people Of that country evidence that the
United States not able to maintain their dignity and
honor in this war. These are facts which gentlemen on
the opposite side cannot dispute Is the President TO be
muzZed and prohibited from stating these facts They
have important bearing upon this controversy-they
have an important bearing upon the interests or the
country and is the duty OF the President, well as
his privilege, TO announce these facts. | claim the
same privilege on this floor And those who on the
other side claim the privilege of saying what they
please, must not deprive us OF the privilege OF an
swering these denuncatons we may deem proper.
But thought in the course Of the debate yeser-
day, well in the nsidous design of the resolution,
an ncpient opposition to that measure which is to be
the great feature OF the age-l mean the annexation OF
the CALIFORNIA; to this government. The Presidents
message asserts and assert that this war has not been
commenced-that il is not carried with view to con-
quest desire this to be distinctly understood This is
not war OF conquest AS far my feelings
cerned do not wish this government wrest from
Mexico BY any unjust unauthorized act any portion OF
her territory Yet who does not in the present cir
cumsances state of things which must inevitably lead
to that result! So far the Presidents opinions are
concerned, argue from what he has stated in this
sage, and further have authority to say anything
] whatever. | state my own vlews-the views which |
derive from the message, which is in the hands of every
member of the House. and OF which all can Judge as
| well as can Now | come TO that particular passage
which, in the mind OF the gentleman from Massachu-
Iaatts alcula al IN tp suchu ppp AL
alt may be proper provide for the security of these i'm
porant conquests by making adequate appropriation
for the purpose Of erecting Notifications and deinying the
expenses necessarily incident the maintenance OF
! possession and authority over them"
| The question simply is whether Mexico is to pay the
debt or not 1t is in view of promising naturalization
for the expenses OF the war, well payment of the
claims due in addition to the obvious motive TO
Distress weaken, and subdue the enemy, that our gov
eminent has taken possession OF the conquered territory
And doubtless is the probability that much OF this terri
tory will be yielded in payment OF these demands, that
induced the President to ask appropriations for the cree
ton Of Notifications in the conquered territory. This
recommendation contained in the passages have read
one of great proprety and prudence, looking to what
must be admitted all hands to be the inevitable result
worthy patriotism and foresight, is preparing for state
OF things which will in all probability occur and which,
it would be highly reprehensible in him to disregard,
even though the result may be somewhat contn-
| gent and in the distant future. consider this to
be the inevitable result that must grow out of the present
state of things Events progressing rapidly in that
direction conceive that the people of the United States
expect that they desire not that they desire to
quer anything from Mexico unjustly; but that they
determined to maintain their rights and from that
government indemnicaon for all her injuries and all the
expenses which have necessarily resulted from the prose-
cuton of this war; This is all desire say this SUBJ
ect desire to meet this question promptly at its very
outsetas soon started-as it has been started by
the resolution itself, by limitations given out by more
than OF the speakers who have taken part this de-
| bate.
! Mr.. seldom next addressed the House. He said: 1t
would perhaps, have been decorous, Mr. Speaker,
had waited for full information the action of the
Executive before ventured to condemn approve.
But the debate has taken much latitude, it is perhaps
quite right that should know with degree of pre-
csion what principles involved in the question. In
deed, do not much regret that the debate has arisen
abstract principles because, such case suspicion
rest on the mind OF any that the views which he
expresses of any weight irrespective of authority and
settled principles am induced Mr. Speaker, to offer my
humble opinions this subject, simply because have
not been able entirely accord with The views expressed
bate on this side of the House differ from the views
expressed by the able gentleman from Illinois, [AIr.
DoUGLAssl that territory, coming into the posses
sion OF the conquerng army, was to be regarded as
part and parcel of the United States, and subject to
| the laws and government of the United States Nor
| do | accord with another gentleman, generally so
correct in all his views and opinions-1. mean the
gentleman from South Carolina Mr.. RHETTl-in the
sentiment that we hold this territory by the law of
the sword exempt from responsibility to any just prn-
cples | would inquire, first, what action should have
been tai ken by government in reference to this mat
ter, far Mexico is concerned any other foreign
power Now, presume that il will be readily admitted
by all that in the action of government towards
Mexico we are under the ranre of the first PRINCIPLES