Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-05-29
VOL. XII


system- OF Europe. As the head Of the
republican system. it has been our feeling,
as it was our true policy, to cherish the
kindlest relations and sympalhies towards
them all. And such had been our course
till our late unfortunate difficulties with
Mexico, which resulted, as we are nov in
formed, in actual hosIiIltes. Mr.. c. feared
that all had not been done by our Execu-
tive that might have beer done TO avoid
that result. he hoped the Senator from
Arkansas (Mr. Sevierl might be able to JUS
tiiy, in every particular, the conduct Of the
Presidents; out at present he could see no
good reason for advancing our army through
disputed territory to the banks Of the Rio
del Norte, and pointing our cannon upon
the town of Matamoras Such a course
could hardly fail to be regarded as an in
suit, and to provoke hostility. But be did
not wish prematurely or without the full
est information, TO impute bIane. As 10
Gen. Taylor, he knew him welt; he was a
brave and prudent officer, worthy Of all
confdence, and he felt assurance that he
was warranted by his orders in all that he
had done.
He said The time would come hereafter
for inquiring into the circumstances and
causes of the present hostilities; and the
scrutiny, he trusted, would be strict, and
such as the importance Of the event de-
mands, Whoever should he found to have
caused the hostility, if it has been caused on
our payT, ought to lie held to the highest re-
sponsihlity. Congress alone can constitu-
tionally declare war, and the people Of the
United States ore not to be involved in war
by any other authority than that of ther
own representatives..
There would come time, however, for
that scrutiny. For the present we mus
provide instantly for the defence of the
country. That was our first duty, however
hostiIiiies may have been occesioned; and
he was prepared 10 grant at once whatever
Of men or money was necessary for the
purpose. Our country is not in fault
though her servants or agents may be, and
it is our duty to stand by her.
But trust that while we adopt all the
tnarlikc measures that the occasion may e.
quire, we shall he equally unanimous in
adopting all the prompt and eflicientmeane
of restoring, if we can, friendly relations
with Mexico. We can have no motive fol
pressing too far on a weak or fallen foe
The feelings of Mexico, under all recent
Occurrences, must naturally be excited and
wounded,
Policy and magnanimity require THAI We
should be as forbrarng towards her as We
can. Our superiority is such as to relieve
-. c., .ho ,,oeeiIilitv Of Our fOrhn arsnc
or generosity being construed into tear, 0
ascribed to any improper or unworthy mo
tives. No statesman could render a great
er service to his country than By restoring
our peace and friendship with Mexico
And so important do regard it, that, it i
was in nay power, would, as soon as cir
cumstanCes would possibly permit, sent
her a high and honorary embassy of peace
II would appoint Clay, Van Buren,, Cal
houn, and Benton--any one, two, three, o
all Of them. Mexico would feel hewpl
honored hy such a mission, and such am
hassadors would give peace, cordial peace
to the two countries.
Mr.. CALHOUN said that he had no dispe
sition whatever to create unnecessary de
Law in the passage OF this bill. The rul
he bad laid down for himself, and whlc
throughout life he had endeavored to follow
had been to discharge his duty in whateve
emergency lie might be placed, and esPe
cially was he called TO observe this rlle il
acting or 50 solemn question as decIa
ration of war. All he wanted, all he ask
ed iol, was time to make up his opinion
He sought no delay, and resorled 10 no in
direct course to conceal his true INTENT
Gentlemen argued strongly in tavor at ufa
nilnily, but if unaminitv constituted an ell
ement of force, and the friends OF the b;I
were so anxious to obtain it, why coult
they not accommodate gentlemen who hat
honest doubts as 10 the state of facts, b.
consentine to strike out the preamble OF tn
bill, and to suffer the question OF supple
to be separated from the question oil de
cIaration Of warI Was not such cours
reasonable! Was it not fair and lust!--
Gentleman stated TO the Senate that the IN
formation received hom the frontier wa
such as to require instant action: ii so the,
could have instant action. Ii any della
occurred the delay was their own, Mr.. c
should create none. He was prepared L
vote the supplies on the spot and wthOu
an hours delays but was just as npossl
ble for him TO vote for that preamble as
wss for him to plunge dagger into hi
own heart, and more so. He could not; h
was not prepared to affirm that war exist
ed between the United States and Mexico
and that it existed by the act Of that Gov
ernment. How could he affirm this. wheI
he had 10 evidence on which to affirm it
How did he know that the Government @
Mexico would not disavow what had bee
\ donel Was he 10 be called upon to give
vote like this! 1t would be impossible 70
- him to utter it, consistently with that sa
" cred regard for truth in which lie had beel
educated.
l. He had no difficulty as to his course. Iii
d mind was made up; it was made Up una
4 II 49,. H. 4 1Uvat