Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-15
THE DEBATE.
The Country and the Administration

Weak or unprincipled Rulers never fail to avail
themselves of events such those which
now in progress on the Southwestern frontier, to
palliate their misconduct and to cloak their own
dclinquencies from the public eye. They are
well aware how easy it is, when the public mind
is excited by apprehended conflict with 70
reign foe, to lead it, by the presentation of false
issues, from the contemplation of their own
rors. Love Of country is universal instinct,
which they know well enough how to take advan-
tage OF. They appeal to 1t with all the art and
eloquence of which they masters, because
they know that they will strike a chord which
will respond promptly to the players touch.
Patriotism is made TO perform the office Of Cha
rity, by covering multitude of sins-and he who
has the nerve, at such a moment, 10 condemn the
policy Of tho Administration by whose folly or
ambition the crisis has been unnecessarily brought
on, may expect to be denounced by its partizans
as the enemies of The Country, which, in their
cabulary, is a Synonymous term. The gloss OF
zeal for the public good las Edward Livingston
strikingly and elOquently remarkably is always
spread over acts of oppression; and the people
are sometimes made to consider that as brilliant
eSertion OF energy in THAR favor, which, when
viewed in IT'S true light will be found fatal blow
10 their rights. In government is this so east
ly produced as in Republic. Party spirit, in
soParabe from its existence. then aids the illu-
sion, and popular leader is allowed in many
instances, IMMUNITY, and sometimes rewarded
with applause, for acts that would make iyrant
tremble on his throne"
The debate in the Senate last Tuesday, on the
hat vi. hat,
Mexico and the United States, and authorizing
the acceptance, by the President, of the services
Of $4,000 volunteers, TO ensure its vigorous pro-
secution, furnishes striking illustration of the
facility with which Party in power may avail
itself Of an intense popular excitement, to effect
Its own insidious purposes. We regret that our
limited space will not allow to publish this de-
bate IN crtenSo. But contracted as are our limits
and numerous and pressing as are the demands
upon our columns, justice to those distinguished
Senator'S who, either in express terms, or by i'm
phcation, have been wantonly aSsailed for reiu-
sing TO identify the ADMINISTRATION with the
COUNTRY, and TO make the defence of the one a
pretexl for throwing shield over the bunders of
tho other, requires that should give them an
opportunity to be heard in their defence.
for the prompt action of Congress! Mexican
General, following the example set him by the
Commander of the American forces, mas passed
beyond the acknowledged limits Of Mexico, and
planted his standard upon territory claimed by
both countries. He has taken this course, how
ever, without previous declaration Of war by his
own Goyernment-indeed, while the war.ma-
king authority Of that Government is not in SEES
sion. But nevertheless his attitude is one of hos.
tilty. And all parties--w0 believe all men Of all
parties, except, perhaps, the tTaitorous fanatic,
Giddings, of Onio-concur in the necessity of
meeting and rePelling his threatened attack, and
avow their readiness TO vote men and money for
that purpose. Is not this enough Is not this all
that Patriotism demands--all that the honor of
the Country requiresl Undeniably it is. But it
does not go far enough to answer the purposes OF
the Administration. Not only must the Country
be defended but the President must, in the same
act, be indicated. Congress is not only required
70 raise troops for the purpose ofropolling threat
ened assault but it must PREJUDICE the question,
by asserting first, that crisis, when it is i'm.
possible that il can be cognzant Of that fact, and
when, in truth, if the Mexican Government should
disavow the acts Of IFS officer, il is not a fact
and secondly, that Mexico has commenced that
war, when subsequent investigation may fix that
act upon the conduct OF our own Executive The
bill prepared by the majority, therefore, wore this
double aspect and part ofIts title should have been
can act vindicatng the course ofhe Adainisfration
in advance and without enqury,"-thaf being
manifes,ly deemed more important than unanim
ty in the adoption Of the measures necessary for
IL. d.r r. a.
such men as Calhoun, BerrieD, Crittenden, Mang.
urn, MeDufic, Bayly Davis and others refused
20 vote ttr bill, or voted for il under 'protest.p
which, in their opinion, not only bore the stamp
Of "falsehood" and FRAUD" upon lis face. but yio
lated the Constitution itself, they are denounced
Tor the Wing portion Of them at least-ior the
time is not yet quite ripe for the application Of
the lash 10 the others)-..they are denounced as
fthless to the country, and insensibe to the obi.
cations which rest upon them, as citizens and as
Legislators, 10 assert uniinchingly its rights and
Co maintain its honor unsuied II is in vain that
they declare, with one voice, (to quote the Ian
guago Of Mr. Mangum as expressive Of the senti.
inents Of the party Of which he is a distinguish.
ed member,) AVE- ARE PREPARED At ONCE ro
vorr SUPPLIES, To ANY AMOUNT, wHErHgR or
cal QUESTION a. 10 tie ACTUAL EXISTENCE o. 4
wAR, may be separated from The vote Of supplies
II Is IN vain that the Administration party are i'm
plorcd, by the minority, TO strike from the bill thi
political lcature--io erase its "false" and "frau
dulent" preamble as to enable them, will
clear consciences, 90 vote for the men and mo
ney. This would no, answer. The supplies, ]
Is true, are necessary--but with them, we mus
have also declaration Of facts, which, whethe
true or false, invests the Executive with trench
dous powers in future, and serves also to eHcul
pate him from Ill censure iOr the past
We repeat our expression Of regret that "
have ns room Coz the Debate ITSELF But M
Calhouu's postiOn--..sO creditable TO his indePe'
dcnoe and his hrmness AZ well as bis sagaciiy an