The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-12
Congress and the war.


We regret very much the appearance of that
spirit OF opposition to the war with Mexico, and
the proceedings OF the Executive, as well as the
officers OF our army and navy, In the Pacific, in
California, and in the Gulf of Mexico, in taking
prompt, decisive and proper measures towards
bringing it 10 a close as soon as possible, which
has shown itselfin the House of Representatives
for the few days that Congress has been in ses-
sion.
We regret 1t exceedingly, because besides
lowering us in the eyes of all civilized nations, it
defersa action on weighty and important measures
which should occupy the attention of that body
This is the short session of the twenty-nlnth
Congress, and unless members economic their
time, and avoid talking to Buncombe, the ses-
sion will have elapsed before the business that
ought to be attended to shall have been trans
acted. Cannot Mr.. Davis and his conductors in
the war upon the President defer while their
search for grounds on which to impeach him,
until we get through with the war with Mexico?
IS 1t not enough that we are engaged in a foreign
war, but that we must have a domestic one on
our hands, too, at the sametme? If they really
think as they say that the President has trampled
the constitution under foot, and usurped powers
unknown to that sacred instrument, why not "let
him run the length of his tether," and after peace
shall have been restored between us and Mexico,
go to work then, and find materials for their ex-
traordinary charge! We are disposed to believe
that these gentlemen deceive themselves, If they
Imagine that patriotism respect for the federal
compact, urges them in the course they are at
present pursuing. That may be the ostensible
reason, but we think that partisan feeling, and
-al, lax ~ D~t r. Al
likely to acquire, is the true incentive.
While we are bound to register our dissent
against the course of these gentlemen in the
popular branch of Congress, we refer with plea
sure to the Senate. In the latter body, we have
evidence Of an earnest desire to sustain the ad.
ministration in the crisis in which the country is
now placed. That dignifed body mas not yet de-
scendcd to the littlencss of making political capt.
tai for the Efurtherance of party views, while the
nation is suffering for want OF legislation. Its
members have, on the contrary, worked so far
with zeal for the country.
Senator Crittenden, OF Kentucky, we perceive,
has offered a resolution providing for increase of
pay to those officers, musicians and privates of the
army, who have distinguished themselves in the
war, and Senator Cameron offered a resolution
granting l60 acres Of land to each volunteer, be-
sides additional pay, which, according to our te-
legrsphic report in yesterdays paper, was adopt
ed.
Compansons are proverbially odious, but they
must be made sometimes, and we are bound to
make one here Comparing the course Of the Sc. .
nate with that OF the House of Representatives
during the present session, and what n bright
contrast there is in favor of the formcrl
We admire the tenor of the two resolution, Tho,
we allude to. Both were dictated by patriot.
ism, and exhibit the right kind of sr;.
nit. If carried out, they will be acts of
Justice, and besides beneitting those for
whom they are intended, will aid mate
rally in bringing the war to close. We
would, however. have gone little farther than
Mr. Cameron, in appropriating land to the voun-
teer. We would have made a discrimination
between the married men and the single. To
the married, we would have given three hundred
and twenty acres; and to each of the unmarried
one hundred and twenty. We would also have
gwen the land in such a way, that IL would be
beyond the reach OF creditors--that il could not
oe a'taoned Tor debts incurred previously to the
grant Every volunteer, besides being animated
with PATRIOTISM, would then have direct in,ere.,
an tho war. We hope that when this measure
Il Transmitted TO the House for its concurrence
that some member will draw the a,ten,ion q, he
colleagues to those suggestions. After the war !.
over, each volunteer would settle on his land nd
contribute his share in promugating republican
principles and extending the influence Of our free
institutions. (.
we express ahoPe that the House OF Repre-
'entalvcs VIII cease all squabbing, and unite with