Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-21

not drive MIN on Are we mol now that state
of hostility which gives the Legitimate consequence
wari for one wish to be distinctly understood that
whether be declared or not, are now in a DO
ston in which all the legitimate rights and conse-
quences of war exist. We are placed in solemn |
position This is a most solemn crisis But if we /
advance to duty with irmness promptitude, and
decision, is plain and honorable before the
world. If we do not act in that spirit-if we make
half war and half peace-if say TO Mexico, cad
vance, and we'll fight you: if not, will remain
quiet" we will dishonor ourselves in the eyes of
mankind. What have we to gain by such conduct
The advantage is altogether on the side of Mexico
She keeps up army, and can invade us when she
pleases There is but for us to take Push
an expedition into Mexico, till we compel her to make
peace-not to hold the country, but compel her to
make such peace as we have right to demand
Mr. CALHOUN again rose and said: | entirely con-
the separation of the message in respect its
reference. Now hope that there will not be the
slightest difference of opinion, but the utmost unan-
Unity and prompttude of action in repelling invasion
One part of my object TO bring about this state of
things Every one must have felt the awkwardness
of blending the two subjects contained in the message
together-the soemnty of the one requiring debera-
ton, the urgency of the other demanding prompti-
tude Of action. Both subjects properly dis
posed of, and there will be ample time hereafter TO
discuss the various points connected with the one,
whilst the other will not be subjected to any improper
or dangerous delay. The senator from Michigan Mr..
Cassl repealed observation of mine. His remarks
had not the slightest reference to anything said.
said in the sense of the constitution, could be
declared only by Congress- that it only through
the exercise of the authority of Congress that that
state of things called ''war could be announced TO
the country and the world There is no question be-
tween him and myself The question is between
him and the constitution 1t would be a great
abuse of language, then, in constitutional sense, to
call this state of 1t is FIVE have got the true
e sc 1,t.o
between the United States and Mexico 1t is state
of hostility between the two forces on TIE frontier.
Now whether shall proceed and settle all our ac-
counts once is that grave question to which al
luded and with regard to which said agreed with
the senator from Ohio Mr.. Allen in the expression
of opinion that it ought to be most carefully examined
and that then should, with the utmost decision,
proceed to discharge our duty.
Mr.. ALLEN. 1 do not rise to continue this debate,
but simply to move that so much of the annual mes
sage of the President relates Mexico, be printed
in connexion with the message and documents COM
municated to the Senate this day.
Mr.. MoREHEAD said; / have objection to the d.
vision of the message. rise for the purpose of say
ing word in answer to what has fallen from the
senator from Michigan; and before / come to the
immediate point which desire to call the attention
of the Senate, must be permitted express my
prise that the honorable gentleman Mr. Cass should
think it subject of congratulation at all that any
which fell from the senator from Delaware Mr..
Clayton. The gentleman from Michigan expressed
his personal qualification that any senator should
arise and avow his purpose of standing by his coun-
try in any emergency. l trust that that sentiment
is a common sentiment, entertained by every member
of the Senate of the United States. trust that it is
not singular to be made properly the subject Of
special remark. But with regard TO the point as
sumed by him, whether there is existing
between the United States and Mexico, desire to
add one word. 1t is well known to us all that the
power to declare belongs exclusively to the Con-
gress of the United States. The President of the
United States has no constitutional power to involve
the nation In war.
Mr.. CAss replied. l am surprised that any gentle
man should for a moment suppose that | made any
improper or unkind allusiOn In expressing my salts
faction with the patriotic sentiments expressed by the
senator from Delaware. But | am older than the
senator. / recollect the time when man could not
get up in the Senate and congratulate any men,
Der of it for the expression of such sentiment.
Thank God can do it now believe there is not
that side of the chamber that is not ready to
90 Just far as would. 1t was the recollection of
verv different state of things to which have never
before alluded In this place. and hope hereafter
to allude that prompted that honest and sincere
graduation. Congress has power to declare war; but
I repeat, one nation can make war. In Europe, as
remarked, there have been numerous examples of
that. merely repeat that nation may go to war
and, of necessity put its antagonist in state of war;
The debate further continued by Messrs. Davis,
]. M. Clayton, Crittenden, and Huntington, who as
sailed the course of the administration They were
replied to by Messrs. Allen, Houston, and Sewer.
Mr. HoUsroN said that he had no wish to protract
the discussion, but he had remarks ma ke
to which he asked the attention of the Senate He
thought the question before them of the first
Importance, and that the documents which
III I,av e
right direction. and gentlemen had not vet had the
opportunity of acquantng themselves with the state
of facts. The were given in the message for
placing General Taylor on the left bank of the Rio
Grande; and in taking up that position, he (Mr. H.
had no doubt 1t would be admitted on all hands the
necessary and that suggested by the emergen
ces of tie country He did not intend entering then
into discussion because he did not wish to produce
delaybecause he thought the state of things required
prompt actor-not discussion. Every indication
which had been given, went to show the consequences
would have been the same, whether the army occupied
position on the Rio Grande or at Corpus Christi.
A declaration of war had been made by the President
or, rather, the usurper of Mexico; his generals
reiterated it. and told General Taylor should
be begun if he did not remove from his position. He
would not blame the administration for not being re-
sDonsibe for Gen. Taylor, but he convinced the
government responsible for what had been done
the Executive responsble-and In assuming that
position he could justify it. The American people
will do it.; the national honor required it. That was
not an occasion of ordinary Importance; it was one
which required action, not WORDS not discussion in
advance of information, and in anticipation of what
may or may not be the question. Whether that war
was counterfeted actual he thought when American
troops on American SOIL recognised before the annexa
ton of Texas Texan territory, and, by adoption
now American territory Americans would not fail to
vndicate their honor and repel aggression. American
blood had been shed on it. The soil bad been conse-