Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-21

does exist, according to the constitution Of the United
States there must be action the part of Con-
gress. II is with that view, and with regret that
cannot concur with the senator from Delaware, and
hope that the subject viii take the usual direction.
Mr.. ]. NJ. CLAYTON. 1t is perfectly clear to my
mind that this message should go the Committee on
Military Affairs, and not TO that Foreign Relations
The President has announced to the Senate Of the
United States that there is war-that war does exist
between this country and Mexico, and he calls upon
us for millions of money to aid him in carrying on
that war-he pronOunces it necessary, and demands
of the needful supplies He also asks for tens of
thousands Of volunteers. Now am quite willing
although do not take upon myself any portion Of the
responsibility of this war-that devolves upon the
President and upon him alone, with those who have
brought it about-but say | am quite ready to fight
it out. will not undertake to decide, in the first in
stance, whether it right not; but go for the
soldiers and the millions at to support the honor
of the country and the army. The Committee on
Foreign Relations can decide at their leisure any
grave questions touching the constiutonaity of this
war. We shall have all that undoubtedly in debate
here from day day. but the first duty of the Senate,
in my judgement, is TO vote the supplies. Well,
what has the Committee on Foreign Relations to do
with that! What does il know about the manner of
furnishing these suppesl That is the appropriate
duty of the Committee Military Affairs. | would
say to my friend from South Carona-if he will al
ions perhaps closely allied his this general
subject. do not mean 20 express any opinion TO
the sending of troops to the Rio Grande, by voting
for the supplies The President has announced the
existence of war What is the first duty of Con-
gressi / hold that its first duty is to vote the sup
plies; to lose no time in defending the country The
other questions involved will have to be settled be-
tween us and the people Of the United States, and the
Executive. On these questions all due elaboration
should be observed but the action with regard to the
supplies should be prompt and immediate.
Mr.. ARCHER said: am ready to vote for the sup
plies. The senator Mr.. ALLEN and several others
has assumed that we are in a state of war. | say
that not. When, some years ago. vessel be-
longing to the United States Ohe Caroline was for
chilly captured by an English force did that constitute
case of war between Great Britain and the United
States! say that the President does not affirm that
we are in state of war. He cannot affirm it, for if
he did ne would affirm that which, in legal and con-
stitutional acceptaon could be true If true what
would be the result The officers and men on the
Rio Grande might involve the country in at their
pleasure.
Mr. SEWER here referred the senator to the terms
of the declaration of in 1872 (as the reporter
dersood and proposed that the secretary should read
an extract from it; but the offer was declined, and
Mr. ARCHER proceeded. 1t has been stated, on the
highest authority, that the President of the United
States cannot declare The intervention of Con-
gress is absolutely indispensable to constitute
There be till the ascertained facts be SUBJ
med to the Congress of the United States be pro-
nounced upon by them, and till they authorize war;
hope therefore, that the pursued al other
occasions will be followed the present; that the
message of the President will go, first TO the Commit
tee Foreign Relations and that hen It's report
the Naval and Military Committees will take the
proper action.
Mr.. BENTON said appretend that there are two
very distinct questions presented the consideration
of the Senate in the message of the President He
announces the fact of the invasion of the territory of
the United States: that's thing. He then propo
SEES to Congress to carry on war against Mexico on
scale commensurate with the EFFICIENCY of the OCCASION
in order to bring it to immediate close. These
two distinct subjects; and these two subjects diff
ferent form of action is, think, required 1t is not
merely the constitutional authority but the duty of
the President repe invasion at once and by all the
means which the law has put into his hands. He
has regular army and navy for that purpose. The
act of Congress of 1875 authorized him to call out
the militia from the neighboring States for that pur-
pose; but their service is limited period of three
months; and often emergencies of this kind have
occurred it has been deemed proper, both for the pur
pose of getting troops more promptly into action, and
also such as could be retained in the service for long
period-it has, say, been usual for Congress on
all such occasions. when in session. and when not
in session. II has been usual for the President to call
for volunteers And this occasion this course has
been followed. call for volunteers has been author
lied in conformity to the practice which we Lave al
WAYS followed The act of 1895 authorized the prac
tice of resort to volunteers and this occasion the
officer in command on the Rio Grande has called for
volunteers The first thing we have to do is to give
the President money to pay those volunteers, and
more, if necessary; and in giving him money to pay
them. authorizing the call made for them. In this
view of it the subject is military and proper
for the action of the Military Committee. They
to say whether eight thousand men, or double that
number, necessary; and the Committee FL
nance is to report what money may be necessary
Thus far the question is military But after that, it
is question which the foreign relations of
the country, and should, consequently, go to the
Committee on Foreign Relations. If the first meas
ures be adopted-and that suppose that there
be no difference of opinon-there will be time to con-
slider the other part of the subject and it is obvious
that it would be very nexpedent delay the former
till after the consideration of the latter. 1t might be
very detrimental to the public interest to do nothing
till the questions connected with foreign relations
were settled If then, is frequently done, one por-
ton of the message were referred to the Military
Committee and the other to the Committee on Foreign
Relations the whole matter would be at once settled
would make that motion, if the Senate think my
view proper that so much of the Presidents message
relates repellng invasion of the territory of the
United States be referred to the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs.
Mr. ALLEN The remarks of the senator from Mis-
souri, and his suggestion relative to the disposition of
the two distinct portions of the message strike me as
very proper, and | readily concur.
| Mr. SEWER. If the senator will allow me- will
accept of his motion a modification of mine.
| The question then about to be put when
| Mr. Cas- rose and said: have but few words to
say. The message is evidently intended to be spe-
cies of manifesto statement of the difficulties be-
tween this country and Mexico very similar in prin-
ciple to the message sent to Congress by Mr. Madison
in 1912. 1t is expose of grievances with that