The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-10

honorable settlement, he would 90 for It most heart
Ily But he argued It was evident the design OF the
Executive was TO acquire part OF the territory OF
Mexico. u It were proper TO procure California
al some time, this was not that time. u could be
done, il in good faith by the ordinary mode of trea
ty, and the money might be appropriated at the
next session. Was the President un willing, or
Mexico unwilling to trust Congress for an appro-
priauon to carry out the treaty which might be
madel He had not the confidence in the Execu-
tive which this bill reposed in him. II was unne.
cessary, unealed for, and a gratuity. lie would
not confer IT,
MIR. CHAPMAN, of Alabama, spoke in favor Of
| the bill.
| Mr.. OWEN said: There are two separate mat
ters TO be considered al The present juncture; the
one Is, the consequence Of passing this bill the
other, the consequence Of refusing to pass it.
Mr.. TooMBS So there is in the case ofevery
bill to be passed upon.
Mr.. OWEN. Yes; but in the present case the
consequences OF refusal TO pass the bill happen 10
be positive, not negative. And not positive only,
but most important Ii, when the President asks
an appropriation for the purpose Of concluding
peace, we refuse II, what lnierenre must be drawn,
not by our country only, but by the whole world,
except thus, that we do not desire peace; that we
are resolved, as the gentleman from Kentucky ex.
pressed u, TO whip the Mexcans, not treat with
them. Thus the refusal TO act, when the question
Is brought before US, is pregnant with nfereneesl
| Injurious 10 our national character.
| was glad 10 hear gentleman from Kentucky,
| Mr. GRIDER,l express his Willingness to vote this
sum; declaring that he would hold the President
rsponslbie for It's application. That is just But IL
the vote 10 withheld, who, then, is responsible
They who withheld It. II, now that the President
asks al the hands Of Congress the OF securing
peace, Congress denies TO him these means, on
Congress, not the President, will the future re-
sponsbiity rest, for this Mexican war and all its
consequences. From the very first our government
has sought TO avoid war IL has twice offered in the
Il M ..f.a. H. 49,.
negotiations with Mexico for the uslment Of all our
difficulties. Even after a refusal twice repeated TO
receive our envoy, the President publicly reiterated
his anxious desire TO avoid a contest. In the mes
sage before US, the same concatory spirit is found
IL asks for that which has sometimes been called the
slnew OF war and what, in this case, may become
| the sinew of peace.
voice. Would you buy peace'
Mr. OWEN. Ia the case Of weak opponent
like Mexico, already beaten down before us-Rt our
| mercy almost-yes, Il the gentleman so chooses TO
phrase II, would buy peace. Were the contest
with nation our equal in power and resources
with England for exampe-we dared not do il.
An Offer If she were our opponent, to open the
purse and to shesthe the sword, would, very surely,
| be misconstrued. Not so with Mexico We are the
stronger, and we can afford To be generous. From
Mexico ! am willing to purchase a boundary, in
| stead OF lighting for It. | voted willingly supplies
for war, since stern necessity forced upon us.
will vote, far more willingly, supplies for peace,
since the President gives us reason TO hope that II 10
| honorably within our reach.
But gentlemen say, they have not confidence
enough IN the Executive TO entrust to him this
| for such purpose. Not confidence enough They
have placed in his hands already, without reserve,
twenty millions TO carry war; and they scrupe 10
conhde 10 him two millions TO conclude peace! They
trust IN the greater, and will not trust in the less!
There are twenty blunders likely TO be made in car
rylng on hostile operations, particularly by gov
eminent like little experienced in such matters
| for every one which will probably occur in negotia-
ting peace-bringing treaty. The danger Of abuse
Is Infinitely greater in the former than in the
latter With what propnety or consistency, then,
can we hesitate to place in the Presidents hands
two millions, for the holy purpose Of closing war;
the existence of which all just.thinking men de-
plore
Mr.. GARRETT DAVIS. What does the
President want two millions forl Lee US know
that.
Mr.. OWEN. The gentleman needs not be re-
minded that the treaty-making power is lodged in
| the President and Senate To the Senate the par
tlcuar plan Of negotiation may have been disclosed
but as necessary consequent Of our political sys
tenn, these details do not, at this stage Of affairs,
reach US. This vote must, Of necessity, be, in
measure, a vote Of confidence. To disclose, in adj
vance and infinitely, the intentions of the negotia-
ting power, might be defeat those intentions alto
gether,
Mr.. DAVIS. Then how are we to know that so
large an smount of money is needed at alb
Mr.. OWEN. We do not know it; nor, probo-
bly,, at this moment, does the President. But we
know, that may be needed; and that il may be i'm
possible to effect satisfactory treaty of peace with
| out IT, As for the amount, the gentleman may call
it large; but does he not know that the rate of
present expenses, months war-ay, less than that
would absorb it ALL And yet member from
Massachusetts,, who preceded me, was for putting
this peace measure off until next sessIon-a notable
piece Of economy, surely
Sir, hope the House, by voting this supply, will
register its desire to see this Mexican termina
ted, whenever, on reasonable and honorable terms,
| 1t can be. That war once ended, and there ia not,
that can see, along the entire political horizon,
even cloud as big as mans hand tn reatenng an
other. The object proposed 10 peace, not local or
temporary, but permanent and over an entire con-
tinent. In view Of such object how paltry is the
sum demanded! Not with willingness merely
with gladness should we unite to grant it.
Mr.. EWING, of Tennessee had desired to get the
floor offer resolution calling the President for
information in regard to Mexican relations, but
had been unsuccessful After we had appropriated
nearly $50 0O00 900 to enable the President to carry
| on war, why did we want S2,000,O00 to make
peaces The Congress Of the United States was well
entitled to know ofthe proprety of peace and war;
and of the facts existing-in case their and was to
be invoked-as the President was. He not dis
posed to vote vote of confidence in the President
He referred to some Of those which he considered
obnoxious acts of the President and said their
| author was the who would receive vote of
confidence if this bill passed. He could not vote
for il. Why did not the President take steps to-
wards peace ii he going TO- before he had
plunged the country in war--a war which had cost
| us thirty mionsi He was for peace--an honora-
BILE peacefor buying it if necessary; but he wanted
to know at what hazard--on what terms, He
wanted to know distinctly for what purpose this
two millions of dollars was to be appropriated, be-
fore he could vote it He called on some friend of
the President to say whether it was desired to get
California; ".s..
Mr.. JONES' of Georgia, IN reply, (Mr. e. yield
ng,) said he was in favor Of the President buying
California, and thereby getting the indemnities due
to our citizens. We must do that some other
such measure, or never could get our pay.
Mr.. EWING would be willing to purchase Cali
fornia according to the laws of peaceful nations.
In conclusion, he caused to be read the resolution
Of inquiry which he had wished to offer.
Mr.. WOOD | rise for information l would
ask the gentleman from Indiana, Mr.. OWEN who
thinks it best to buy peace what evidence there Is
that peale he bnupht2 4 am fpru aace na much