The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-30
oNGR ssIoNAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. TIBBATTs,


OF KENTUCKY.
Ia he The House Of Representatives, on the l2h an
l9k Nay-in relation 10 pay OF the army IN
war With Mexico and in defence Of the action o
the President of the United States.
Mr. TIBBATrS having obtained the floor on tn
bill making appropriations for the support Of IN
Military Academy, in Committee OF the whole
House on the state Of the Union, on Tuesday, the
l2Ih day of May, 1876, addressed the committee
| as follows
Ms. CHAIRMAN: do not rise for the purpose OF
discussing the particular amendment under conside'
alton, nor indeed the bill itself now before the
committee. Nor do | intend to say anything in
relation to the remarks Of the member from Ohio
lMr. GIDDResl in relation TO the shooting down oil
Inc soldiers or rather the men, flor they were not
,odiers) who deserted their standard in the face oil
heir own army and attempted to go over TO the en-
,ny al Matamoras. | do not think an argument IN
defence Of such persons, deserves answer on this
aoor think the only thing to be regretted in this
matter is, that these men, from the cir
euu,sanees Of the case had the honor Of dying the
Death OF soldiers by being shot down they could
not be csptured and that they could not have been
nken and punished, as traitors ought TO be pun
shed by the rope Of the hangman. Nor do [ in
end 10 make any response TO the appeal Of that
member for the vengeance Of Heaven upon our Off
GERS and soldiers who are now, or who hereafter
NAV be- called upon to defend our rights against
he Mexicans | only express my surprise at the
,merity Of that representative, on this floor, who
will rise in his place and express the aspiration
which has been uttered by the member from Ohio
this morning. wonder that he does not stand in
fear himself that thunderbolt from that God whom
he nvokes does not strike him dead on the floor of
hi, House in the act Of uttering sentiments so afro
aous
Mr. Chairman, regret that my honorable friend
from Ohio, [Mr. SAWYER, who has Just taken his
seat has been led to seeming censurc Of General
Taylor, in the course Of his remarks.
Mr.. SAWYER interposed, and Mr.. T. yielding)
was understood to say that, as far informed at
present, he did not feel altogether satisfied with
General Tayor's conduct; but nothing was further
from his mind at present than directly 10 censure
bis conduct.
Mr. TnsArrs (resuming) am satisfied, Mr..
Chairman, that my friend did not intend to do any
Injustice to that gentleman. Every man who is ac-
qdainted with General Taylor knows that more
honest, or a Drawer man, more perfect gentleman,
more gallant officer does not wear the epaulete Of
any army on the face Of the globe Gen. Taylor is
an officer Of experience, who knows his duties and
responsibilities; one who has not Hansgressed in
any degree the authority given him oy this govern
ment and one who will not fall short Of exercising
that authority to the full extent Of the discretion
placed in his hands.
rise, however, Mr.. Chairman, at the present
time more with view Of noticing some remarks
made by a colleague Of mine, tMr. q. DAVIS who
regret is not now in his place, on yesterday, and
some which are reported to have been made by the
senator's from Kontucky in the other branch Of this
Capitol. The descrvedy high standing Of these
gentlemen in this country makes it proper that
something should be said in relation to the positions
they have assumed on this occasion, and that those
positions shall not go forth to the country uncontra
dicted.
One of my colleagues Mr.. BoYpl yesterday pro-
posed an amendment to the bill which passed this
House for the increase of the army, the preamble
Of which amendment land which was adopted and
became portion Of the bill which passed this
House) rected, that whereas, by The act Of The
republic Of .MeIico q state Of crisis between that
government and the United States" Now, my
other colleague Mr.. G.. DAvIsl in relation to
tina, preamble says:
But Mr. Speaker have objection to the preamble of
the bill Il recites that war exists between the United
States and Mexico and that this begun by Mexico
That informal exists between the two countries is
undeniabe; but that Mexico commenced it is utterly
true and object to the preamble because sets forth
bold asehood am decidedly strongly favor of the
appropriation Of the money and OF the raising of the forces
me that our country at war be Il formal or in
oma whether begun by Mexico or our own government
require only to know that our army is in danger, and
whether he in the territory Of the United States Mex
co am ready to vote and money even to the utmost
resources of the country for the rescue II the be
wrongful at convenient season would hold them
responsible who made it. But protest solemny against
dehlng this measure with the unounded statement that
give this bill any possible effect It could have been as well
omitted and had been rejected doubt not the bill would
receive the unanimous vote of the House But that
The object OF its authors Their purpose to make the
wings vote against force them to aid in throwing shell
Ter over the administration by voting for, bill which set
BY Mexico
Sir the bill contained any recitation upon that point
By the President The river NSecss is tho true western
boundary fTexa The country between that stream and
NE Del Nore Is part OF Mexico"
An honorable senator from Kentucky Mr.. MoRE-
HAD remarks:
He could very we'll conceive where the army of
he Unitcd States having assumed position within the
ntOry Of Mexico, such position ~ would demand from
Mexico that should repel the and that the hos.
es should arise between the two countries would that
be state Of warl No"
The honorable senator supposes Casa case
which is actually charged to exist by the honorable
representative from Kentucky on this floor. II is
with view 10 these questions: Whether war ex-
ISIS between these two countries. whether the asser-
ton Of the President Of the United States, in his
message to this House. and the assertion in the pre-
amble to this bill be true or NOT whether ifthat war
does exist it has been brought by the act of the
President Of the United States or the government of
Mexico! that wish to receive the attention of this
committee. .. ...
What is par? "Warn is defined by Vattel az
that state in which we prosecute our rights by
'Vtc'' anu Iurther on ne tells us mat war IL
either dnsipe or offensive" II is said there is no
power in this government that has right to declare
war except Congress tits true that there is no power
In the government which has the right to declare
an offensive war; except the Congress of the United
States And the distinction is drawn as to whether
this 10 case Of war; or merely the existence Of
state of hostlties between the Mexican government
and this. The power Of Congress Ito declare war"
must be taken in reference to an offensive war. We
are told (and such is the fact man doubt it)
that war is not only Offensive" butdefensve." Ii
The government Of Mexico should declare war
against the United Staes and should invade the ter
ntory Of the United States, will the honorable gen.
Geman from South Carolina, Mr. RHErrl-who,
believe, drew that distinction-will he say that
defensive war does not exist And will he say that
The President Of the United States has not the right
10 prosecute defensive war without the interposi
ton Of Congress-
Mr.. RHErr said he would answer with cheerful.
ness If the gentleman desired; and (Mr. T. YIELD
lng) he said in the ordinary use Of the word "war 4"
We generaIy mean any fghting-military collisions
Of any kind bat in constitutional sense, under our
constitution, say to the gentleman that il is not in
thepower Of general, ofa subordinate, or Of the
President Of the United States himself to make
war" Now, what is the case here Here is a