The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1846-05-21
THE DISSEMINATION OF WAR.


The Hon. Garrett Davis of Kentucky, in his
speech int the House Of RepresentativesoaT Thurs
day last. made a thorough review of the events
which led to the breaking out Of hostilities on the
frontier, and from the facts thus recapituatedshe
deduces the following conclusions:- -
After this review, who can doubt that it was
the settled purpose of Mr. Polk to have a war
with Mexico; that he expected, and desired it,
during the occupation of Corpus Christi by the
American army; that he ordered that army for
ward to the Rio rGande, in aggressive war upon
the territory, people, and authorities OF Mexico,
the more certainly to provoke it? This he has
done in disregard of the Constitution, in usurpa.
ton of the power of Congress, and whilst it was
in session. He asked Congress TO sanction and
raity 1t, and at the time to vote supplies to
carry on the war. The wari unconstitutionally
begun. Until avowed by Congress tits informal.
James X. Polk ma.1e it. But, however irregular,
it is necessarily the war of our country, and her
army and her citizens are in peril. 1t must be
enteredupon at once, and heartily and vigorous
~ prosecuted until the honor ofthe country is re-
trieved and peace is made. s~aE
II this war had been made by Congress, al
though should not, under existing circumstan-
ces, have voted for it, still would have submit
ted to the decision Of the appropriate power, and
would have made no inquiry as TO its Justice. or
the suficiency OF the cause which induced its
declaration. am willing so far to adopt it as to
prosecute it with all the supplies which the Pres
ident will ask, and in all the forms of civilized
warfare, but, whilst doing this, would hold up
its author, James X. Polk, before the country.
and denounce his abuse and usurpation of power.
But he is to escape by bill, which both asks
supplies and screens him, by decl, ring, against
all truth, that this war was begun by Mexico.
That bill was framed in the same spirit in which
this war was made by Mr. Polk, and it was inten-
ded to place those who condemned the war and
its author in the predicament of jusifying him
by liking talsehood upon Mexico, or OF seeming
to withhold the necessary succor to our beleag-
uered army. That bill proposed the extraordina-
ry supplies, beyond the current service, of ten
millions OF money and fifty thousand men, for
WHICH there was no mediate pressing need
ltgave the United States the position of belIi-
gerent, and was in fact declaration of war. But
its worst feature was that it furnished an act of
Congress by falsehood, and covertly sanctioned
by James X. Polk the usurpation of the war-nak-
ing power. 1t was beyond question the most i'm
portant measure upon which | was ever called
upon to vote. When the historian of the country
records the passage he will learn with amaze
ment that the majority of the House Of Represen-
tatives hurried this measure through in a few
hours and would not allow one word to be said in
opposition TO it. He may in sorrow come to the
conclusion that its friends knew it to be measure
so foul that il could not bear scrutiny. He might
well record it as of the most atrocous instan-
ces OF legislative tyranny record.