The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-24

field But hold II Is our duty to redress the wrongs
done to the constitution.
MIR. MAars-I want categorical answer. Does my
colleague believe the war just or unjust My colleague
remains silent
Mr. GxNrKy-If the question of the declaration of war
against Mexico had come up, would have been ready
to say whether it just or unjust. believe, how
ever that just and sufficient existed for war,
our Government had chosen to avail itself of them.
. Mr. MARTIN repeat the question. Do you believe
the war just or unjust?
Mr. GENrRr.-It was enthusiastically made
Mr. MARrIS.-But Is the war Just unjust
Mr.. GENrRY.-AIexco committed acts which justified
making war, But it depends the object Of the war.
question. will answer il n his own language as it ap
pears on the record Though he may attempt to explain
= away, freemen will not misundsrstand it, My col.
on by the act Of Mexico" And it will remain on the
book like stain the face Of the ghost Of Banquo:
but IL remains for the House to say whether he
ed say TO my colleague, believe the people often
nessee VIII make him answer that question.
MIR. GESrRY-I am ready to answer these who have
right catechise me.
Mr. MARTIs-with the best of feeling for my colleague
have catechised him, but gods be ready with your
thuuderbots, now strike your dumb representative and
make speak! lLaughterl speak with all Kindness. /
he charged the President with the design Of making the
people believe lie, and that he (Mr Gentry voted for
it. But speak in q scriptural (Merriment) From
whom shall my colleague ask forgiveness!
Mr.. GENrRY-l ask for no forgiveness.
Mr. MAnrrS-Then you must come under the passage
Some were given to hardness of heart and unbe-
hef that they might believe lie and be damned"-{Ex.
cessive laughter)
MIR. DAVIS, of Kentucky obtained the floor and con-
demned the President for suffering Santa Anna to into
Vera Cruz. For this the President more obnoxious
right of frsemen ouestionsd his oca acts and snoRs
their honest sentiments. No could sxonerate
the President except the ground that he did know
OF oui troops to the Rio Grsnde the prevocaon of tho
war, etc.; and when he exhausted his hour, the Com
mittee
THE REPLY OF THE fREsipESr KxsoLuTioy
HousE-rHE coSauERED TEaRITohY.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the following
TO The House of Repressntatoes eftke United Statss
In compliance with the request contained in the reso
luton OF the House of Representatives Of the 10th ins
communicate herewith reports from the Secretary Of
War and the Secretary OF the Navy, with the docu
ments which accompany them.
These documents contain all the orders or instruc
tons to any military naval other officer Of he gov
eminent in relation to the establishment organisation
o! civH government in any portion OF the territory OF
Mexico which has or igh DO taken possession Of by
the army OF navy of the United States"
These orders and instr uct0ns were given regulate
the exercise of the rights Of the bolgerents engaged in
actual war; over such portions Of the territory Of
ion and be occupied by our armed forces rights ne.
cessary resulting from state of war, and clearly
Sognized from the laws Of nations This all the
thofity which could be delegated to military and
naval comma n1ers, and ts exercise indispensa
to the secure occupation and possession OF territory Of
sutsorises wsrs be conquered Tue reguiaSns
acquredby conquest Th.v were authorized az belIi
gerent rights and were to be carried into effect by mill
OF martial law which modern civilization requires and
were due as well to the security Of the conquest
'ne Inhabitants Of the conquered territory
The documents communicated, also contain reports
Of sevcrai highly meritorous officers of our army and
navy who have conquered and taken possession Of por
Among the documents accompanying the report of the
Secretary of War, will be found form of government
established and organized" by the military commander
who 0d with his territory
of New Mexico This document received at the
War Department in the latter part the last month and
war; was not for the reason: stated by that ssiser
brought to my notice until after my annual message OF
the Sth instant was communicated to Congress
1t is declared to be temporary government Of the
said territory but there are portions OF which purport
to establish and organize permanent govern
to its inhabitants political rights, which under the
stitution of the United States be enoye
" only by citizens Of the United states These have not
been approved and recognized" by Such org aized
regulations as have been established in any Of
quered territories for the security Of conquests for
of the Inhabitants and for deprvng the enemy of the ad
vantages Of these territories, while the military posses
sion Of them by the forces of the United States continue
will bs recognized and approved.
1t will be spparent from the reports of the
officers who have been required by the success
which has crowned their arms to exercise the
quered territories, that If any of power has
been exercised the departure has been the offspring of
patriotic desire to give the inhabitants the privileges
and mmunities SO cherished by the people Of
country, and which they believe calculated to improve
their condition and promote their prosperity.
Any such excess has resulted in no practical injury
but and will be early corrected in allie
nate little possible the good feelings Of the nhab
tants of the conquered territory.
WARRINGTON, Dec cad, 1916.
The message and accompanying documents were
whole.
And the House adjourned.