The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-13
The Mexican Peace Biu.-Its defeat I'm the Sc
nate-Wnr TO the Knife.

ses OF Congress, soliciting an appropriation of two
millions of dollars TO cover any expenditure that
might be necessary to make, in advance, for the
purpose of settling the war with Mexico, and adj
justing boundary between the two countries,
which should prove satisfac tory to both. There
can be doubt that Mr.. Polk was induced to
send this message by some semi-offical under
standing with Mexico TO settle the war, and that
he was inclined to believe, that some arrange
ment could be made that would be acceptable to
the United States, without dishonor, and the war
brought to close. We will suppose so, at any
rate.
After some little debate in the House of Repre-
sentatives, a bill passed that body, appropriating
the sum required by the President for the purpo-
SEES specified in his message, which was to be &C
counted for like other expenditures of the govern
ment.
The bill was then sent to the Senate for their
CONCURRENCE, but died from suffocation.
twas taken up in that body, by a vote of 20 to
ii, and would have been passed, but for the ex-
traordinary and mysterious conduct of Mr.. Sena-
tor Davis, OF Massachusetts. After the bill had
been read, this gentleman, unfortunately, was
entitled to the floor, which he maintained till
twelve O'Clock, the hour OF adjournment. Hewas
repeatedly appealed to to give way, by Mr.. Sena-
tor Lewis, that that Senator might introduce
luton prolongng the session for an hour or tive
but Mr.. Davis was memorable, and continued
talking to the last moment of the session, for
the purpose of defeating the bill In this he
succeeded, but at heavy cost to himself
He has assumed a responsibility that we do
not envy him in possessing He has taken the
power of settling the war out OF the hands Of
the President, who is thus apparently deprived of
the power of achieving peace with Mexico if it
requires the expenditure of two millions Of dol
lars for the purpose. If the sum asked by the
President was TO be classed under the head of
secret service money and expended as such,
without receipts or vouchers being required, it
might perhaps have excited suspicion, and might,
with very small show of reason, be denied.
But the President wanted it for no such purpose.
He wanted it for bringing about peace, adjust
ing permanent boundaries between the two
countries, and covering other expenses nciden-
tai to these purposes, to be accounted for regu-
lar disbursements.
When consider that this war has been OPP
posed by what is called the peace party, we are
at loss to know the motives which actuated Mr..
Davis In the mysterious and extraordinary course
he thought proper to pursue on this question.
He is one of the most prominent OF that party
from New England, and has condemned the ad-
ministraton for its conduct, since the time
the American army crossed the Rio Grande till
the present time, and at the very moment when
he probably, or in his own opinion, had it in his
power to bring the war to close and conclude
peace alike honorable TO the executive and to the
country, he takes upon himself the onus of de-
featng the measure that was proposed for the
purpose, land assume the responsibility of prolong-
ing the war. Inconsistency like this i'll becomes
the representative of the peace party, and savors
more of the politician than of the patriot.
We regret very much that this measure has
fallen through, and particularly in the manner it
did, as its failure takes the responsibility Of the
war from where it properly belongs,and prevents
the President, in measure, from entering into
the pacific negotiations that might and might not
have terminated in peace and the establishment
of boundary that would have satisfied and
pleased the American people. Its failure will
make il incumbent on the President to prose-
cute the war with more vigor than ever, the
result of which will be that vast amount
of blood and treasure may yet be wasted,
that would probably have been saved, if
the appropriation had passed. We have no.
thing to do with the motives that actuated Mr.
Davis, and we know nothing of them. 1t is sufi-
cient for to know that he threw obstacles in the
way of peace; and if it should come to light at
any future time that his action on the bill and his
extraordinary conduct in defeating it, by talking
against time, to the very moment of adjournment,
caused an unnecessary prolongation of the war,
and the consequent shedding of more blood, the
responsibility will be laid at his door, where it
would, IN such case, rghtfully belong.
We are perhaps charitable enough to think
that Mr.. Davis was not actuated by any political
motives If the President were successful in bring
ing difficulties to close, on terms satisfactory
to the people, it would probably make him more
popular than ever, and would be likely to ensure
his reelection to the Presidency in 1913, should he
be candidate. We cannot suppose for mo-
ment that Mr. Davis contemplated to embarrass
the administration by deprvng the President of
concluding peace, in the course he adopted, in
the hope that some reverses might occur that
would entail disgrace on the administration, and
thus secure the reelection of the wing candidate.
We are charitable enough to admit as our belief
that Mr. Davis was not actuated by such motives,
but we very much regret that he thought proper
to adopt the course he took on this bill, and hope
for his sake and for that of civilization and the
cause Of humanity, that it will not be followed
oy any OF the fatal consequences we have men,
toned, or prolong the war one hour beyond the
Tune It would otherwise have been settled.
But the war must now be prosecuted with vigor.
1.-THE bombardment of San Juan d'Uloa will not
achieve peace, the two divisions of Generals
Taylor and Wool must unite and march forward
TO the city of Mexico. There is now no time for
parley. Onward old Rough and Ready. ON.
ward
The OCEAN RAcE.-The steamer Cambria from
Boston for Liverpool, remained only two hours at
Halifax. IL will be recollected that she sailed
from Boston on the same daY that the Great Rri.