Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-15
THE ENQUIRER.
Thursday Morning, May II, 1916.
FROM THE SENIOR EDIToR.
MOMD, VA


IN The Senate which il was ever my good luck 10
ENJOY. The great question Of peace or war was
in agitation. The subject was the bill from lie
House, recognizing The existence of war with
Mexico, and investing the President with The
power 10 raise so 600 volunteers, and palling len
millions of dollars at his disposal. AS in the
House, The main debate was confined 10 the pro-
position TO strike ont those passages declaring
| that war was in existence, and limiting the opP-
ration oil The bill 10 the repelling OF the invasion
Of Mexico. The leading men OF the Senate
took part, and it is unnec essary TO say, that it
was able and profound. rejoice 10 add, tina, ii
was, as The solcmnity Of the occasion required,
cool, unimpassioned and dignifed. shall not
attempt 10 sketch any part Of it, You will find
1t we'll and fully reported with the votes, &C., in
the City papers, and am sure that you can find
nothing more interesting 10 occupy the columns
OF the Enquirer.
hlr. Calhoun was, as usual, bold and ingen-
Gus; but he was far from convincing me that war
did no; really exis, with Mexico. lie denied the
truth Of this proposition strongly and so solemn
y
consonant with his deep convictions TO vote for
the bill. II is needless for me 10 add, that he did
not find il in his heart, like Davis OF Massachu-
sets ("Honest John") and Thomas Clayton OF
Delaware, TO vote against SO important mea-
sure. | regret that statesman so distinguished
for his talents and virtues, was compelled by cir
cumstances 10 remain neutral upon so momentous
question. cannot do justice 10 the forciblc and
eloquent speeches in favor of the bill as il came
from the House-and shall, therefore, not attempt
10 give even an outline OF Them Suffice il 10 say,
that they all managed the great question in a
mastery style, and carried conviction TO their
hearers. AS a Virginian, feel proud at the
stand taken by Senator Pennybacker He was
the first to march up 10 The exposition oflhe lead
ing doctrines of the law OF nations, and by apt
quotations from the great writer's on The subject,
clearly demonstrated thar war could exist, with
out prior declaration, and thai, in the present
case, there could be no doubt of the existence Of
war with Mexico II was strong and able ar
snmcnt, and, as heard a gentleman remark,
such an one as would be listened 10 with interest
be Senator worthy OF the Old Dominion and
OF the glorious Tenth Legion.
Mr.. Archer expressed himself as free from
doubt as TO the existence OF war, but he voted for
the motion 10 strike Out, 10 enable gentlemen TO
deliberate upon The important question. His
matter and his manner were very creditable 10
him. The motion 10 strike out was los-20 to
26-and the bill was passed by the overwhem-
ing vote Of 40 10 2, after having been amended
by reducing The pay from $40 TO So per month,
"a proper modification, placing the volunteers on
20 sams level with the regular AMY and by
giving 10 ,ur o,ar,, iuslead OF 10 The President,
| the right OF appointing the officers. The House
had taken a recess, 10 re-assemble at half past I,
| P. NJ, when they promptly agreed 10 the amend
mens, and the bill is now the law OF the land
Is it not most gratifying spectacle, 10 see the
Two Houses of Congress boldly seZing the sub
eci, and with almost entire unanmity adopting
the promptcst and most vigorous measures for
the defence of the coun.ryl Rely upon ii, the
| action OF yesterday and to-day will 60 very far
to inspire the respect Of foreign nations for our
national power and courage, and 10 secure tho
peace of the country. Had Congress hesia;ed
10 sustain the recommendations OF the Execu-
tive, We might have looked with dread 10 the I'M
| favorable impression produced abroad Now, the
world will see that we are willing and able 10 de-
tend our honor and our rights, when assailcd-
and other powers will be satisfied OF The policy Of
doing US Justice, ana thereby keeping on good
| terms with rs.
Before the meeting of the Senate enjoyed
an hour in the House, listening 10 a most extra
ordinary TRADE from Joshua r. Gidngs. Ex-
travagan, as my notions were in regard 10 the
stupid frenzy Of this chief OF the Atolitonis,s,
his efiusions to-day far onttopped my expecta-
tons. The bill under discussion was 10 orga-
nize a company, amounting to 100, OF sappcrs,
miners and pJntoniers. II came from the Sc
nate Strange TO say, they havo in the army no
snch useful elements oil military organization
| The object of The bill was 10 form a nucleus for
the diffusion Of such valuable intelligence and
skill Throughout; the army. Giddings embraced
| the opportunity 10 pour out his bile upon The an.
nexaton Of Texas, the Shareholders SC. II ever
man was guilty OF moral treason, by giving aid
| ard encouragement by words 10 The enemies OF
| his country, this mailman to-day brought him
selftully under the ban. He denounced his iel-
low-cizens for all that was mean, and exlolIed
the Mexicans to The skies. He said that Heaven
was on The side OF the Mexcans, and that
they nerer could be conquered by the grasp
ing aud guilty Americans. In word, he
openly tramrled upon The American flag, and
raised his voice in favor Of The triumph of Mex
lean arms Had not this fanatic sunk himself SO
low BY his ridiculous and reasonable exhibitions
might have felt my Southern blood grow warm
under his coarse and brutal attacks. But all he
wants i, nuorir,y, and l rejoice that no South
ern man eratified him BY a reply, and Ifat O.
was PASSED over with The silent contempt ne de
served. did moi envy the feelings OF the South.
ern Wings, when Giddngs referred to them as
"my political friends.
A very good hit was made al him by Mr.. Mar
lin Of KY. Mr.. Brolhead Of Pennsylvania call
ed G. 10 order; when Mr.. Martin rose and said
that the gentleman (Giddings) was perfectly in
order, in defending his friends who had deserted
from The American army across the Rio Grande
| But must Slop-u - fGlJ 'dASi ohd iSNi -
haused by the excitement of Tie day. ! have JUS
returned from brilliant and most picturesque
"May Ball" at Carusi's, celebrated ythe pupils 0
Mr. Liable. Hundreds OF lovely little girls decket
with flowers, and their youthful partners, arraycf
in uniform costumes, went through every variety
ofsracefu fancy dances. Ishall not trust my per
10 write Of the beautiful ladies, who graced ,h'
scene. Many distinguished men OF our own anc
foreign nations we're also there. Upon The whole
il was grand affair, and shall be much disap
pointed if do not tonight enjoy many "ros,
dreams" But enough. W. +. X.
ENGLISH INTERCHANGEABLE Phla
delphia News says IA letter was received
al Washington recently, BY respectable gentle
man, from merchant in Vera Cruz, dated Apr
.. in which he remarked ha, the movements
The Mexican army towards Texas would depent
mon advices then expected from England, ant