The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-12

had dsayowed the act of their military officers
on the Rio Grande, how mortified would they all
be, and how much would they regret that they had
not waited until they themselves had decided, after
deliberate examination instead Of precIpltatey rush
ing on declaration Of
Mr.. HOUSTON again rose, but yielded to
Mr. WESICOTr, who rose amid loud cries OF
Question" and said
Mr.. WESTCO L said that he had been called
upon TO vote on this bill on Yesterday he believed he
should nave voted against II. But calm and cool
reflection since then had convinced him it was his
duty to vote for il. He did not entirely approve Of
the phraseoogy Of the bill. This was, however, no
time for verbal criticism. Immediate prompt,
decisive action was demanded. His objection 10
the bill was not that which had been urged Ii was
entirely different, He was not disposed, las this
bill seemed TO do,) to throw upon Mexico the COM
Hlsneensnt Of this He preferred that this gov
ernment instead of the declaration in this bill that
war existed )" and "by the act of Mexico" should
make an independent, affirmative, positive, and une-
quiyocal declaration of against that government
He felt assured that the past conduct Of Mexico to-
wards the United States, ever since Mexico had
claimed to he distinct nation, If fairly exhibited
TO the civilized world would fully justify such dec
aration. Yes, Mr.. President, (saiJ Mr..W.) if the
soldiers Of Mexico had not invaded Texas during
the last month"; they had not murdered Colonel
Cross--if they had not killed Lieut. Porter-f they
had not attacked Hsrdee and Thornton; nay, if her
present rulers were now 10 apologize and atone for
these acts, there Is ample cause for declaring
war against her, TO be found in her past courses
wards US. Sir, we have been most forbearing TO.
wards Mexico. We have allowed our feelings for a
nelghborng sister republic TO restrain us from de-
handing and enforcing long ago PREPARATION for her
insults and outrages The American people would not
have submitted TO the ndignities they have patiently
endured from Mexico, from any other government on
Gods earth. They would have risen as one man
to repel them years since. This forbearance has
hufR Fnhn MAylr IN farfhs Har
rulers have mistaken our sympathy for her difficult
ties and misfortunes, and our consideration Of her
weakness, for pusllanlmlty! IL s time they should
he undeceved. The world has been imposed upon
with respect to the Of difference between
Mexico and the United States. The recent occur
rences are but drop in the bucket. Mexico has
srtfully sought to create the impression, that what
she calls the "spo ation" of Texas, is the origin
and cause Of these difficulties. Sir, (sad Mr.. w.
before the Texas revolution, she had outraged our
flag in her own ports, and on the high in the
Gulf She had robbed and imprisoned our citizens;
and even our diplomatic and consular agents in he
jurisdiction outraged and insulted in a manner
which, by the acknowledged laws Of Nations afforded
to us just cause for declaring against her. But
we forbore to resort to this mode of redress.
We negotiated treaty with her, by which she
engaged to indemnify our citizens. She plighted
her faith nation to do them justice-tO pay for
her spoliatons Of their properly and outrages Of
their rights. Has she done sol No, sill No,
sir She has ANONYMOUSLY violated her plighted
faith to them and TO this government. She has dis
honorably withheld from the debt she engaged to
pay for their benefit. The President, in his mes
sage, states that these spollation claims amount
upwards of Sc 900 600. | believe, SIR, that seven
millions of dollars would not indemnify those
American citizens who have suffered from the
wrongs and outrages Of that government She ought
IN justice TO pay that amount, and this government
should compel her to pay It. Without referring to
har liza 4.a, tka ,tNa I..la
matte and consular agents, or even the imprison-
ment OF some Of them and other American citizens,
find in her course with respect to the indem-
nifty for these spoliatons and in the gross
indignity cast in the teeth of the American peo-
pie, in the treatment Of its accredited minister,
(Mr. Side this winter, after her invitation TO send
him, as all christendom will say, just cause for an
affirmative declaration Of war against her. Sir,
(said Mr.. W. | am not for temponzing-for any
halfway measures. | am in favor Of such declara-
tion and, without reference TO recent occurrences
should be in favor of it. care not if the military
chief who has usurpe the reins Of power in Mex
CO. care not if its Congress shond disavow the
acts Of Generals Ampudia and Arista-if it should
disgrace and punish these officers for their recent
acts in the State Of Texas-still, causes which
would weigh with me sufficient to justify this
declaration, were not removed. Doubtless her ru-
lers are nstgated by the emissares of other gov
ernments nimical to US. Their influences cannot be
concealed. They are manifest. They will not de-
ter me in the least degree from pursuing the path
that believe the honor Of my country requires me
to follow.
Mr.. President, | coincide fully in the distinction
maintained yesterday by the honorable sena tor
from South Carolina Mr.. CALHOUN between mere
hostiiies and rar, according to the meaning of the
federal constitution. No hostilities be recog-
Missed as war by this government, unless they have
been declared by Congress to constitute war.
hold too that 1t Is important this distinction should
ha ,.aI, ,hnr,u al, e
Executive may create war, and the wise constitu-
uonal provision, placing the power of declaring
war exclusively in Congress will be dead letter.
am, however, for Congress in this case exercising
its constitutional power. AS have before said
should after calm deberatlon the subject prefer
an affirmative, unequivocal declaration of war; but
am not disposed to be fastdous as to the mode.
should prefer manifesto, stating our grievances to
the world. But the effect Of this BILL if it is passed,
Will be the same as If 1t was such affirmative deClar-
alton. The act of June Ia, 1919, declared "war to
exist against Great Britain and this bill recites that
at does exist by the act Of Mexico" The effect is
the essential part of the matter.
Mr.. w. said he was in favor of the declaration of
war; because he did not believe that hosties could
be as efficiently, effectuay and successfully carried
on by the Executive without it with it. | concur
(said Mr.. W. IN the opinions advanced on this
point by the honorable senator from Virginia. [Mr
PENNYBAcKER. and other senator's.
Without 1t, and without the express authority of
Congress-, the President cannot issue commissions to
prvateers--ssue letters of marque and reprisal--
cannot authorize the blockade of the Mexican
Ports-cannot authorize the capture Of Mex-
can vessels on the high as prizes of
war. Without such declaration, Mexicans ia.
ken in arms, after defeat in attacking our citizens
or soldiers cannot be held by the executive authority
as prisoners Of war--treason in aiding her troops
may even go unpublished; and, shove all, without it
the observance of the duties Of other nations to-
eIa t,o l,,t,, 49, ,Es,, II. /
violated, could not be properly enforced. Without
such declaration, Mexico may be supplied with arms,
and munitions of war by other nations
and if captured they would not be liable to forfeit
ure as "coniraband Of ioar." The declaration of
war will in every way strengthen the executive arm
in this contest-at home, abroad, the field ofcon-
test and in these halls. 1t will increase the eicien-
cy Of the supplies Of men and money we propose to
give three-fold 1t will convince the world we are
IN earnest in this matter. Other nations may profit
by the information.
Even if this matter with Mexico should be set
tied in month, the money we expend in warke