The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-12-29
SHEECH OF
HON. j. A. seldom, OF VIRGINIA
DELIVERED IN TILE


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DEC m ,e,e
ing for the orders instr tons of the President
to tn military and naval officers of the United
states, In relation to the establishment of civil;
leo. ~ " iie~-
MI SEDDoN said 1t seems 10 me- Mr. Snea
ker. that the debate, which has sprung up here
on mere resolution of inquiry is somewhat nre
mature and irregular. 1t would have been more
decorons certainly, and perhaps more iudicious To
have waited until we had received officially fill
information of the action of the Executive in re
laiion to the provinces which have been wrested
from Mexico and now held by our conouerino ar
mics, before we proceeded to approve or condemn
But in the latitude which the debate has aesnu
ed. II has resolved itself not so much into AN in.
qnITy ct what procedures have been actualIv
ad"ptediin these conquered provinces as into an
examination of what measures might riob,(nllv
have been taken. of the great principles of in,er.
national aid constitutional law, which wopId an
thorlZe and regulate their adoption and empl.v
ment In this view, |, is perhaps well that fun
damental principles should be The subject or aeon
rate investigation and precise ascertainment with
MS lille delay as may be. Certainly in one as
pect, IL Is not to he regretted that the debate has
arisen now, when 10 great extent il must as
su'ne abstract form, since the views of sne,Lorc
can have little weight, except from their intrinsic
force and justice. and much relieved from tho
suspicion of being influenced on the one hand nv
blind determination to defend the action of n fa
vored Administration, or on the other nv tho
reckless foregoing conclusion" 10 condemn of
mere FarlZan opposition.
In debate involving such high and Grave in
quiries as here demanded our investigation Iam
induced 10 engage, Mr. Speaker notwths,anding
serious dIfiidence of my limited experience and
humble abilities, simply by my inability TO accord
with the reasons advanced, and positions taken
by the gentlemen who had spoken TN this side of
the House differ seriously from the position of
lhe able gentlemen from Illinois, Mr.. Douglass
that the territory of foreign nation with whom
we are at war, when seized and completely sinh
Jugaied by our conquering armies is TO be regard
ed as part OF the United States, or as its territory
and subject To its laws and institutions For IL
so, The power of the military authorities of our
army over IL most at once cease--ihe territory be
subject To our existing laws, and the inhabitants
having become citizens, be entitled To all the
rights and privileges, whether of property. person
or representation, which are secured and guaran.
tied to onr citizens by the Constitution and laws
OF the Union. Nor yet can | agree with tina,
other distinguished gentleman, Mr.. Rheti I zen
orally so clear sighted in all matters of principle
and whose errors in this instance NAV he rather
IN hasty and nngnarded expression, than in mean
ing mat conquered territory is to be held by The
mere power of the sword, with the yipLt of arbi
'ratIon through the old adage of absoIutism, Sic
ooto' SIC Jubeo,' on the part Of the conoueter
without limitations of law or authority save what
ne may deem The mere moral obligations of bn-
manly Sir, IN more barbarous ages. when the
maxim originated, it may have been true that
inter arna leges silent For then the conone.
ror seized and appropriated the whole property Of
the conquered, and even might reduce to slavery
the entire subject population but such savaoe
courses are long since obsolete. The Wholesome
operation Of civil institutions must oftentimes
even yet amid the iercer energy and more uu.
brldled powers invoked and demanded bv The
stern necessities Of war, be checked and restricted
ana many mere civil or municipal laws be dsre
garded or swept away. Bot the rule Of mere force
The arbitrary desputism Of martial power-tem
perez only by such instincts of humanity as NAV
survive IN The buSnm Of a relentless commander.
or he not eXtinguished by the passions of fierce
sOI0Iefy' no longer rules with unbridled SWAY
Amid the crash Of arms, law does not now speak.
10 hunanlse and restrain, as in the gentler times
OF peace, IT IS felt 10 elevate and civilize II is
the boast OF modern times, the blessings to Chris
lend0m OF christianity and civilization. that in
war, as IN peace, code Of law To govern all in
ernailonal relations, founded in part on the prac
ices OF nations, bot more correctly bindino. az
deduced from The most sacred principles of i0stice
and The highest ethics Of morality and HUMANITY
has, by general comfy and common convictions
been established and recognised. Of all nations
on the earth, we should be, and are. I believe
The last TO depart from or evade The Obvations ~
this high code ; and in all nur relations. he tbey
oi the iercesl OF the most stable peace we sbo,,Id
De 1rm by our example in contributing to its re-