Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-16

Il
dangerous in 10. conclusions. and unsound in tho
soning by which Il Is supported II understood the
nono'aoe senator Yesterday. he considers there arc
thfee conditions IN which county may DO pla-
eed with relation to another. A state Of peace, o.
war; and OF hostiliiies This sir, new division
Of the principle Of INSTRUMENTATION between different
countries war understand aud peace understand,
the rights and duties which they bring with them. But
state OF hosuhues rs contsdstingaished from these rcla
uons, Is new chapter IN the law Of nations Oui
constitution Is equally silent upon the SUBJECT Isupposed
heretofore, thath We were peace with country
We're al war with it, had learn
mediate state creating rights and duties which su
ssrad will be difficult to find unless new Grous sar
up upon the occasion. The Senator from Missouri Mr.
Benton has correctly stated that there be with
out hosues, and hosnlites without Belligercn
operations may be temporarily suspended and there
be acts OF aggression, which may DO called hosiilue
which may be committed without the authority OF gov
eminent keneontres for instance, between shipsowar
or predatory incufsons the boundary OF county
But there can be hosuhes undertaken by
winch do not constitute state OF War fact
created by an effort made by njuro another
One party may make war; though it requires two parties
TO make peace. The Senator from South Carolina con-
tends that as Congress alone have right by the constitution
10 declare war; therefore there DO until 10 thus
declared There here very obvious error
Congress alone has the right declare There
or authority in the u. States. which, part change
the relations OF peace with another country those of
war No authority but Congress can commence an ag-
gressive war. But another country commence
against us without the Corporation Congress Another
country can at ITS pleasure terminate the relations OF
with and substitute tor these the relations with
Their t CLIMATE equences. War may be commenced
with OF without previous declaration. II may be
menced by manifesto announcing the fact TO the world
or by hostile attacks by land sea The honorable sena-
tor from Virginia Mr. Pennybackcr has well stated the
modern practice OF nations upon this subject lie has
terTed both 10 facts and authorities showing that OF
hostility with without public declaration constitute
atato OF IL thus the war OF 1856
ced. IL was thus believe commenced the be-
tween England and France during revolution. The
peace OF Amiens terminated by act OF hostility, aud
not by public manifesto. The capture OF the Danish
fleet was preceded by declaration of the intentions of
the British government. Our Of lSl2jwas de-
cared the 18th OF June. The manifesto ofthe prince
regent declaring war against issued I'LL January
10Th, 1913 And vet long before that borders had
been penetrated in many directions. army had been
subdusd and captured, and the whole Territory OF Mch
gan had been overrun and seized. ALI these facts
proved eonelusvey that II is OF hosules that
produces war. and not any formal declaration ANY 9th
construction would lead TO tins practical absurdty-
England, for instance by OF hostility by pub
lie declaration announces that she Is with II
the view presented by the honorable senator South
Carolina correct, we not with her unl Con-
gress has acted upon the subject One party then
war, while the other peace; or, any rate. ia this
new intermediate state o hosuiies, before unknown
the world Now, n very clear that Mexico is
with u.s. we AT war with her. Ii she terminates the peace
tn relations between the two countries they termna
ted whether consent The new stale OF things
thus created does not depend the will Of Congress The
two nations war; because OF them has chosen
ace them both in that altitude But sir is conended BY
some OF the senaios that IN the there
evidence that the invasion territory has author
ned by the Mexican government and until that authority
shown, the act itself does constitute state Of war
have already said SIR that there may be accdent
authorized reneOntres which do therefore
var. The OF Little Belt" Of that descrip-
ton. But the and circumstances aggression suf
heienty indicate its character and consequences
Mexican army invades territory. The President calls
upon Congress for the Necessary repe and punish
nis act Of aggression. And met forsooh the
very threshold Of proceedings that does appear
that ths invasion has been committed by the authority of
Mexican nv sir xvha tevide ia,
CURED under such crcumsancesi Do you want such as
i required by county court in investigating claim for
nifty aoiia'st Must we have eertikcae from a JUS
nee 70 the peace Of Mexico that the President Of that
republic has directed this attack upon territory J.
And whatever evidence required how long are we
to wait Tor ~ How Tar may the invaders march before
are sailsiled that we with Mexico1 Why sir
such state OF things be judged by moral evidence
by the circumstances attending it, IL might be enough TO
say that the invasion itself throws the responsibility upon
the Mexican government ana Is sufficient Justification for
US IN holding that government accountable The negative
proof IL not upon The presumption is suice mt
Tor our action But sir, there much than the
laet OF invasion 10 Justify the that war
with Mexico The governments VI that country has pro-
tested ever since the first project Of the Tex
as, and has announced its completion a easus beH-
They have Withdrawn their from the UNI ed States
and broken OH all diplomatic relations with They have
refused TO recognize and have treated with conumey
minister charged with full powers adjust all matters in
dispute aud whom they solemnly promised To receive
Ihey nave collected army upon ironte and have
sent TO assume its Command the rst military officers
in the republic. he summoned General Taylor 20 retire
or that war would Immediately commence. Hs summons
beng dsregarded he commenced the war by crossing in
force into our territory by attacking troops and by
rounding our army Nov sT, appea every senator on
the oIheT side OF the chamber IT he does believe that
all TINS has been done by order Of the Mexican government
presume there within the sound Of my voice
who ~lnot that in his opinion the Mexican
acted under the direct instructions Of the Mexican govern
meni And are we 10 be told, that still
oil we ascertain whether his have been aowOd or
diseaimed2 No, cir. a hostile army in country
our frontier has been penetrated foreign banner floats
the soil OF the republics our citizens have been killed.
while defending their country blow has been aimed
at u.s. and while we talking for evidence may have
been struck, and army been annhlaied. And what
then The triumphant MeKieans will march onward till
hey reach the frontiers OF louisiana I'LL receive
such formal certificate Of the intentions Of the Mexican
government will unite in determination 10 recognise
tue e<stonee OF The and TO take the necessary
uies TO prosecute with vgO 1t has indeed been suggest
ed that acts Of hostility constitute sa.e Of war mu II
be directed by the Legitimate authority Of the country and
~ not consuiuuonal at home, they be operative
abroad his y not the least strange among the strange
principles have heard advanced today What have we
TO do with the constitution of Meuco1 What have we 10
do with the powers OF her President Of her Congress
IL IS not for TO stop IN tho midst Of our deliberations 10
turn over the Of the last called constitution Of Mex
leo and TO seek how the powers OF government dyd
cd among its funconaes nor 10 inquire what IA
the las PJOHOunetaasnto VINO the present DICTATOR Of
that unhappy county The changes both authority and
autnorues, rapid haiti difficult keep pace with
them. Whoever directs the military power Of the Mexican
government against us Is TOR our purposes the
Of the Mexican nation Whether he has alta ned that power
~ usufpauon, by false construction an eHeiss Of eg
nae authority the responsibility Of his country the SAME
II feet Of the United States houd by order Of tho Pre-
sdent, lombard English town. or commit sny other act
OF aggression certainly should be held responsbe and
such acts Of aggression would be considered acts Of war
Honorable sonaors have said that this act Of invasion by
the Mexican army may be unauhorized aud they demand
OF u.s. what would be the inditon Of the two countries II
sucl should turn to be the fact Why sir the answer
Is equally clear and easy n tho Mexican government
should diSayow the act Of invasion, Withdraw their army
punish their general aud make proper satisfaction for the
injury done, peace would DO Immediately restored. But
until this u done, we have only accept tho Of
which Is altered 10 ~ and act accordingly. have no
doubt but the boundary Of TEXAS goes the RIO del Nofe
Boil do not place tho Justification Of government upon
any question Of TUE. Grsnung that the MeSicsn have claim
70 that country well still the naoro Of the
not changed We the possession OF the country
possession obtained without conflict And We could DO
dyesod Of this possession bot by consent by
act Of var Tho ultimate claim 70 the country ques
ton for diplomatic Adjustment Til that took place the
p0'seye night was In u.s. and any attempt 10 dis0dgo
was clear act Of appears mo- SIR that the pre-.
sentis most important crisis ihs history Of this county
"a crisis which D., perhaps, at character and our
o. fpF n Isna rFier ~ r