The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21

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WASHINGTON, May II, lS4G. i
In the Senate, the war bill was reported
at once this morning from the House of
The bill was read twice, when Mr.. Allen,
ofOhio, moved that the previous business be
postponed until tomorrow, and that the bill
from The House be considered.
Mr.. Calhoun said he desired time-tlme
10 examine his own mind and the question.
He wished to satisfy himself as TO the iact OF
declaration of war in the bill from the
House.
MIR. Allen was opposed TO any delay in the
bill. Forty eight hours delay might be pro-
ductlve ofihe greatest mischief
MIR. Mangufn was willing 10 vote ten mil |
lions in money and Sc, 900 OF men and do this
in thirty minutes, but he could not consent
that bill should pass declaring war, as was
done in the bill before the Senate. Why he
asked should Senators be embarrassed by such
question as this7 Why declars war in vot-
ing men and money! The supplies could
be voted in half an hour, aud there were no
objections TO any provision of the bill except
that which declared war, in substance if not
| in reality.
Mr.. J. NJ Clayton pressed the same con-
siderations upon the majority, and exhorted
unanimity of action, which was easily &C
complished. There were no objections TO
;. the bill exceptin one or two particulars
If there was any desire to obtain unanimity
of action, it would be obtained; and upon a
solemn question like this, he regarded unan-
unity as most desirable.
Il T. Halhour ia ho hai mn coalipr tyha T.
ever upon this subject. The rule of his life
had been to act promptly and to act con-
scieniIously, and with due regard to the duty
he owed to his own sense Of right and JUS
tice. He desired thai there should be a
hearty concurrence in all that was done.
Ii was as much impossible for him to vote
for the bill before the Senate as il would be
for him to plunge daggerin ohis own bo-
som, and much more so. / will not agree
TO make war upon the Constitution by max
-ng war upon Mexico. shall neither vote
for the bill or against the bill. desire, time
} to examine il.
Mr.. Clayton moved 10 refer the bill 10 the
Military Committee, which motion was re-
lected by vote Of 26 to 20.
The Military Committee had sgnifed
their, intention ofmoving amendments TO meet
objections. The committee, however, die
not design to interfere with the political
character of the bill, but they were prepared
to move amendments 10 the details of the
bill.
Mr.. Clayton moved TO strike oct the word:
, for "the prosecution Of war;" and to lnser
$50 repel Invasion"
Mr.. Calhoun defended the amendment
and Mr.. Houston opposed 1.-THE former
!, declaring that war did not exist constitution
ally, and the latter asserting that il did exist
General Houston regarded the war as a con
tinuation of that which had been going on be
tween Mexico and Texas for ten years.
Wari in his Judgement actually existed.
leo had done enough 10 warrant declara-
ton ofwar, but he was not prepared TO volt
so until further advices, as his opinion wa
governed TO some extent by the judgement
J of others who thought differently from him
self.
Mr.. Pennybacker said that war existed d.
fdctO. and it was no violation of the law O
! nations that war should be declared TO exis
: lter what had been done by Mexico in eros
sing the Rio Grande and commencing hos
: Titles.
MIR. Johnson, OF Louisi ana, also defended
the idea Of war De ,fdcto. War existed b,
. the repeated and avowed acts of Mexican Of
fcers and Government.
Gen. Cass was delighted with Gen.. Hous
> toms remarks. They showed tina, there wal
war, and he could moi see how any woult
, doubt its existence. He would not discus
! the question Of boundary, whether the Rio
: del Norte was ours or not. 1t was enough
that the soil possessed by US had been inva
ded. This was good cause Of war with hun
and he was ready to act in reference TO The
, hostilites, and he was for carrying the wa
: into the heart of the enemy's camp ant
country.
Mr.. Berrien continued the debate in ,
: brilliant constitutional argument upon the
: war power and the difference between wa
= and 'hosiliiies.
The debate was further continued against
declaring war by Mr.. Clayton and Mr.. West.
colt in favor of the bill. The latter was read,
o TO declare war at once, and 10 vote for any
War measure.
Mr.. Crittenden said he was in favor Of ex-
: pediious action. He believed that the mex
news from the frontier would find the Next
cans driven from the Rio del Norte and Mat
amoras in possession of the American army
4 But IT was necessary 10 act without any de.
. lay, and he was ready to vote for all neces-
! sary means for the prosecution Of hoslIities
against the Mexican Government.
! lie was for carrying the sword in one hand
. and sending the minister of peace along
! with ii, and for marching right Oh into Mexi.
! CO, protfering peace all the time and hold
. ing Out desire TO settle the question annie