The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-12-19

Why, II would have supplied bridge IF brist
ling bGyOnets, over which our soldiers would
have been compelled to pass, before they en-
tered Mexico. The defeat of the two million
Bill, not only saved that amount in the Treas
ury, but IL abbreviated to that extent the pros
ecution of this war on the part of Mexico
The policy ofthis administration seems 10 be,
that the President must first make was on a
country, and then furnish her the means of
conductingit.
There is no longer doubt that an attack
is TO be made upon Vera Cruz and the Castle
of San Juan, by joint operation, under
Commodore Conner and General Scott. The
necessary outfit for this enterprise is now in
course of preparation here and elsewhere,
and the attempt will be made as soon as the
necessary force and munitions can be collect
ed together at the proper point
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1876.
A very animated and interesting debate
occurred in the House, on the Resolution Of
fered by Mr. Davis yesterday, calling upon
the President for copies of any instructions
issued to Gen. Kearney, Commodore Sloat
or Commodore Stockton.
Mr. Davis quoted from the Proclamations,
TO show that they had exercised civil jurisdic-
ton in the territories claimed by conquest;
whereas, under the laws ofnations, they were
JuslluGu III uOlllllS Dhl oSSupuNlOh1
until a treaty was formed Mr. Douglass and
Mr. HARRISON attempted to justify the admin
stration, by re-vamping the stale and explod
ed positions assumed by the Union, on the
same subject, and Mr. Rhett, of South Caro-
lima, with the true instincts ofthe "Chivalry"
School, berated these gentlemen for admitting
that il was American territory. He contend
ed it was territory under conquest over
which this Government had no control as yet,
and which was subject TO the Provisions of
the public law In such cases. AS TO the rights
ofthe conqueror, he went step further than
all modern authorities; arguing that his pow
er wus supreme, no matter how exercised;
and his SIC uoLo and SIC jubeO, whether in civ
il or military affairs was the law by which
the vanquished were to he governed. These
positions were met by Mr. Schenck and Mr.
Winthrop. in able and vigorous speeches; the
latter ofwhom administered proper and
pointed rebuke TO that portion ofthe Message
in which opposition to the war is menaced
nv the Executive as deserving the treatment
of treason. MIR Winthrop expressed his graf
ification that the debate had opened thus car
w, upon an Issue involving the cause and the
progress of the war The threatenings from
the White House, ne thought, deserved 10 be
met as became men who appreciated the full
liberty of speech. He then examined the
whole question presented to the House, and
the international law, and defended the in
quiry. Mr. Holmes, ofSouth Carolina, differ
ed from the monstrous doctrines advanced by
his colleague,& undertook to say that he was
confident the President could not have sane
toned the principles avowed in the procla-
nations made by Stockton and others. If heI
had, he (Mr H. could not advocate or defend
him. "
No matter what may be Mr. Holmes conf
dence in the Executive sagacily, if the Reso-
luton is answered fairly and broadly, il will
be proven that every public proclamation
made in the different provinces of Mexico,
was prepared in the city Of Washington, unl
der the auspices of the President. No offic-
er, in either the Navy or the Army, would
have hazarded his commission by proceed
ing so extraordinary; and it will turn out
whenever the truth is elected that perempto-
ry orders were given by the different depart
ments, to issue these proclamations upon the
conquest of the territory. 4
This is one of the results of that much
Dragged of"bIoodless achievement" the an
nexaton of Texas Mr. Polk has made n
war, which before it is over, even should i'll
end in July neXt,-his estimates TO the con-
trary northumberland involve a public
debt of near hundred millions of dollars, g.
the purpose of this war is, to force sufficient
rive an overwhelming preponderance to the
political supremacy of that section in one
branch of the national councils, and to Sc
,ure the ascendancy ofthe spells party in the
of the government / saw |
md f;>retold this long ago; and now venture |
O predict, that when this war is terminated, |
,e it so ouer or later. the effort will be made
O annex the whole territory acquired by con-
luest TO the United States, by la,c, and not
" treaty, as required by the public code. A
reaty, containing an anti-slayery proviso and
would not meet the views of this
and no other can pass the
senate! LII ence the effort will he made TO
lefty the treaty-making power, by an enact
nent requiring but drilled party majority in
10Th Houses. ....
The struggle on the Missouri question will
eem as but CHI lids play, when compared
With this issue. whenever is presented
those who invoke the contest had better be
for its consequences, and take heed
est the pillars which they have shalsen shall
rush them among fhe ruins.
AS between the N orth and the South, Ihave
yer advocated&ra.llied upon the constitution
compact. 1t is the. safe ground for both par-
ee. 1t is the sure one for the South. But
,henever that desperate conflict comes, in
,hich territory is to BIZ forcibly annexed to
ne section, by means o'fa Presidential war,to
political power. know where one
DICE and one arm will be found, however
all the one or feeble the other. Between
le riveting of Slavery. and the progress of
berty, no man who treads upon American
Ill, Southern though he be, as lam, ought to
estate as to his choice. ....
"Whiie there is life there IS hope, Instances e
Ike the following are almost of daily occur a
nee, and render superauous all flu rther COM