The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-15
THE DAILY UNION
or, or another general, equally brave and equally

Mark the words, "limitedn time How was il
limited Was it by the line of Massachusetts! III
So he envled not the laurels acquired by him in his
military service.
But the gentleman said that before these yolun-
teers, whom We authorized 10 be raised could reach
the field of action, such was General Taylor's posi-
ton, land the gentleman seemed TO be glad that he
was In such perilous situation,) that he would
either be rescued by the aid Of troops from the
southern section of the country, or would have per-
lshed Suppose that be the fact, did we not,
nevertheless need these volunteers 10 use the lam
guage of the acU so prosecute the 10 success
ful termination"
Mr.. J. did not mean this occasion TO be the
eulogist of Mr. Polk; but he should have been
equally ready to to have defended Mr.. Clay, had he
taken such a course. Is there honest heart in
the nation asked he that has not eaped beyond its
usual limits in consequence Of the threats, the re-
proaches, the ndignity hurled upon this government
by Mexico' And had it not been the common re-
mark in private circles that she is poor imbe-
clle nation, we would bear more from her than we
otherwise would and that we could not without
resistance have submitted TO much from Great
Britain without disgrace This had been the lam
guage used; and now, after this long series OF az
gressons and insults we were told that Mr. Polk
had plunged us into a war! Good God, what
punge!-afteT water thrown upon him, that he
was overwhelmed in IL General Taylor was sent
to the border of the United States with strict nstruc
lions against aggression-to let them bully, but to
return no attack-to carry no war into Mexico
into Africa he had almost said; for there we would
have TO fight with them. He supposed the gentleman
from Massachusetts, wanted to throw little sneer into
the ingredients Of the cup he had administered TO his
southern brethren. tell him we have no fears of
this kind; and without Boosting Of the bravery of
the slave States, | say we have troops enough to
make slaves of all the black regiments sent there,
and those who may choose to aid them. II Mr..
Polk had not sent our troops TO our frontier, one
general burst OF indignation would have risen
against him from all quarters of the land. He
would have been called poor craven wretch, and
we should have heard again that he was the son Of
tory. No; Mr.. Polk had pursued the path Of pru-
dence, Of wisdom, and, he believed, Of bravery.
He had placed the army Of the United States on the
frontier where war might come, and he had placed
the navy Of the United States to furnish it with sup
plies and protect 1t.
But the gentleman said he would not vote for the
preamble, because 1t contained lie; and yet he says
the taking Mexican schooner which had supplies
for the army act of war.
The gentleman says that the President in his
message had falshed the facts, because there had
been no actual war and yet he admits in the course
of his remarks that many acts Of war had been
committed. The President has sent the troops 10
the Rio Grande for the defence Of the country.
Those who believe he did, that the country east
of the Rio Grande belonged to the United States
glory in its responsibility But the Mexican forces
had made attack upon u.s. and thereupon the Pres
ldent had proposed the recognition Of the war, and
TO prosecute it, and there was glory in that
responsibility.
General Jackson had suspended the hdbtas corpus
act upon his own responsibility, and had thereby
saved the country Some had attempted to palliate
his conduct, and to say that he did violate the
constitution; but he (Mr said that he did violate
it, and that he would have been traitor to his coun-
try, If he had not done so TO save his country by
the act. That responsibility high duty which
he took upon himself When the Judge hesltated
TO pronounce upon the case-when General Jack
son found him trembling and hesitating-then
General Jackson said, Pronounce the sentence and
the same arm which protected the country will
protect your authority.
Mr.. Folks war was talked about and he might
well glory in the responsibility of the step he had
taken. He could tell the gentlemen who opposed
this measure that they would have occasion to re-
greet IT, and that they would be glad that the waters
of oblivion should cover their speeches. and some Of
them would also be glad that their votes should be
hidden from the light One of the gentlemen who
preceded him, had said that the wings had been
illuminated, and that the democrats ought not to
place them IN opposition TO the war. He regretted
to say that their acts spoke their condemnation. The
democrats mourned over them brothers, and did not
seek to nix any stigma upon them and he would say
that their language singing it to US, did not
IN all cases imply that they would vote against the
supplies for the country in time Of war, did
in 1912
We (said Mr.. J.) would strew upon their beds no
thorns, if they would now lay down their opposition
and heartily aid in driving from the country the enc
mics who had invaded it. On ordinary occasions,
II was the right and the duty of every man to speak
freely his mind upon all public biects, but in re-
gard to foreign country there should be no appear
ance Of any division. He did not believe that there
would be any response from any part of the coun. |
try to the declaration which had been made here
that this was an unjust war. He knew that these
gentlemen would not withhold the supplies for |
they did not dare to do it; and if they did he would
tell them, as had once been remarked, to go home
aud meet the looks Of their constituents, which |
would plainly tell them that they had done wrong |
Mr.. STEWART here asked whether the causes
of the war had not existed before the President sub.
mted them to Congress, and before the army was
sent to its present position opposite to Matamo-
Mr.. JONES. What causes3 His sending the
army to the Rio Grande'
Mr.. STEWART. Was it not the Presidents
duty to submit the facts to Congress'
Mr.. JONES remarked that these causes had not
existed, or were not known to the President prior
to the advices which led to his message Did the
President know that the Mexican army had crossed |
the river! Did he know that Thornton's command |
had been cut off? He should not attempt to shield
the President; but there was no charge against him
for any derelicton of duty either in civil or mill
tary point Of view. Taking up every question that
was presented in his message, would be found that
there was no hiding, but that everything was explicit
y and fearessly set forth. He had sent messengr
of peace to Mexico, and after it had been promised
that he should be received, he was turned back
lie remained longer upon another PROMISE and
again his propositions were rejected. Then he de-
manded his passports. Had not this been known
to the country Was the gentleman from Pennsyl-
vania asleep or was he preparing for the national
fair, that he had not made himself acquainted with
these facts' The President had done his duty in |
asking for means to prosecute the war, which had
already been commenced by Mexico
He was not an advocate of war; but there was
no man in his State-none in any of the States
near tie scene Of action-who did not heartily re-
spond to the Presidents message. He did not be-
lieve that there was man in Ohio who would falter
in his duty upon this occasion. He would not
qualify his remark even as to some members from
that State in this House. There was but one feel
ing in the country on this subject and that was to
carry the war into Mexico, and to march even to
the halls of the Montezumas, and there to make