The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-14


than no was now, and gave % IL his approval; but
had since heard that negotiators then abroad com
planned that il had mlschieyous bearing on our
relations with foreign powers. But ono hing was
certain; the annunelation Of the resolution would
lead practically, TO no good effect We were APP
preaching great events which called for reflection
Of deepest solemnty. We had arrived at juno
ture where two roads forked One led 10 the right,
the other to the left; and decided to take one
or the other, at this session, the deslinies of this
country and the continent IN great measure de-
pended for good or for evil He was opposed 10
granting leave to introduce the resolution under
present circumstances.
| Mr.. ALLEN then arose, and said he was prepa.
red TO zee the proposition encounter some OPPOSE
uon, but he did not expect that It's bare Introduction,
as matter to be afterwards deliberaed upon, would
encounter any opposition, IL was not his intention
TO 60 into the investigation Of the principles involved
IN that resolution reply To the suggestion made
by the senator from South Carolina, further than 10
observe in to his remarks, that the Pres dent
Of the United States having IN his annual message,
declared what was the position OF the government OF
the United States in relation to this matter Congress
was not, ought NOT to remain SILENT and leave that
declaration unsupported by the balance OF the gov
eminent. What would then be the position Of the
question: The President communicates % Con-
gress, in his annual message, snder that clause Of
the constitution which requires him TO communicate
his views in regard to the political affairs Of the
country-he states the fact Of certain acts on the
part of certain European powers, which he deems
sufficiently palpable for the announcement Of the
Pre- siaent Of the United States. Well, the oonsitu
ton required him to make this communication TO
Congress; and accordingly he had addressed himself
TO that body, and to the House Of Representatives
on this subject and having thus addressed himself
TO Congress under the authority Of the consti-
tuition on the subeet-if Congress remained
totally silent ON the subject, that silence would be
negation Of the principle laid down by the Execu-
tye-that silence which would declare the abomi-
nation to all the powers Of Europe, that this govern
ment far It's legislation 10 concerned does not
admit the principle asserted by the President Of the
United States That was not question which any
man at liberty 10 catch up and bring into that
body, but question introduced constitutionally by
the Executive Of the United States, in view Of that
clause Of the constitution which makes il his duty
to do so when he might think II desirable to do so
Ii was, therefore, substantially before Congress; and
any action which would prescribe the silence Of
Congress, would be direct negation of the princ-
pie laid down by the President How far il might
be extended-what should be such an interference
as requires the government Of the United States TO
| resort to those powers-these questions for the
solemn consideration Of this body and for the House
of Representatives. These are questions which
should properly arise when that body took the sub
ject under It's considerations and the several shades
OF opinion entertained by members Of that body
could be expressed by amendments, il they
should deem the resolutions amendable But
in regard to the material principle laid down
In the message Of President Monroe twenty. one
years ago, which had been before the people, and
which was sanctioned by President Polk in his mes
sage as to the Propriey Of that principle, he be-
beyed there could be no hesitation even on the part
Of the senator from South Carolina. But he (Mr.
Al felt he was not at liberty go into that bust
ness at large, nor it his intention to do So He
had not asked the immediate action of the Senate
upon the resolutions. He had merely introduced them
as resolutions which would come up in their natural
order IN day or two, in the form of joint resolu.
tions-in the form Of law, to be treated with all
the solemny of the law, before il should reach its
contamination. He would then announce his in.
tention to have the resolutions referred. That he
would insist upon, let them be thrown out or not
tie desired that they should receive the investiga
ton the gravity Of the subject deserved. His sole
object in making the motion was to bring the sub
lJect hrst before the Senate, and afterwards &c
have 1t returned to the Committee to becom,
law. He had never before heard of an,
objection to the introduction of a measure
such as that which had been brought to tn,
attention of Congress in the solemn form of al
executive message. One case he believed had oc
Cured IN which objection was made to bill relav,
TO something connected with the Bank Of the Untet
States. That was the only instance he recoectet
OF any kind but the present the only instanc,
which he had ever seen Of subject of great ma
iona moment being refused the consideration Of the
Senate by an objection TO its introduction there
Inc Scuulol ITUHl OOutT CHfOllnu thOuont that n
that particular time they should remain silent; bu
IN his Mr. A.'s) judgment, at that particular time
a consideration of the resolutions was called for
He believed the annual message of MIR. Polk haC
received the appreciation of the American people Il
as great an extent as any document which eve,
emnnated from public functionary of the United
States. His declaration on the subject would be
found substantially reteration of the declaration
made by Mr.. Monroe; and far as his Observation
went, 1t ought not to encounter opposition f"on
any American mind. That he conceived a very
substantial reason for the presentsi;,ii OF the sub
lject. And now word as to che timing of the mat.
ter:
n the existing Giro of the world the presen
principle avowed by Mr. Monroe and to state my cordia
conc in its wisdom and sound policy Tho
America is at this day but the promngaton of policy
which European should cherish the disposition te
resst"-Presideni Poik's message.
| The President, CONTINUED Mr.. A. } in his mes.
sage to Congress, said he deemed i, imperative on
him, in the existing circumstances of the world, 10
reterate the prncipleto call the attention Of Con.
gress TO the subject, not century hence, but
But he (Mr. Az would not go into the deep waters
which the question opens up; he would not go into
the deep of state founded upon the necessity
of looking to the preservation of national existence
which arise out Of the consideration of that great
and momentous subject. He would not then UNI
dertake to review to them the present system OF
European policy in relation to this continent, and
ri
ance of power. Those were questions which, he
trusted, would subsequently receive, during the
present session, the consideration of the Senate OF
the United States. If there was disposition not to
receive the resolutions-f there was any feeling OF
resistance TO them--he would be content with the
decision in the form Of the ayes and noes of the
body and leave to its action the several matters pre-
scented in the resolutions.
| Mr.. CALHOUN remarked that, notwithstand-
ing the senator from Ohio was the chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, TO which that part
of the Presidents message had been referred, he
had introduced the resolutions on his authority,
without consultation with the other members.
! Mr.. ALLEN said it was his work
| Mr.. CALHOUN observed that there was no pre-
cedent to be found, and he questioned whether the
resolution was not entirely out of order Had other
| members of the committee been consulted Had
the senator from Michigan, Mr.. CAss, the Oldest
member Of the committee, and whose long expe-
rience in our foreign affairs entitled his opinions
to respect Had his gallant friend from Arkansas,
| [Mr. SEvER,] or any other member No. The
| intr nm, he fu NJ tha