The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-12

sistent with order and proPrIety lie was to great
extent prepared to vote for the suppies-nOt indeed
80 advisedly he would have desired. One thing
was certain-Ihat there had been, TO some extent,
conflict on the Rio Gande between the troops OF the
two countries. To whose fault that was to be as
crbed he could not say; but he feared that when
matter investigated, 1t would be found that he
would not be able 10 regard with entire appreciation
the conduct Of the Executive. He saw no reason
for the advance OF the troops 10 the Rio Grande-for
the hazarding Of those consequences which every
sensible man must have toTeseen. II was not for a
moment 10 be imagined that the angry armies of
two angry and quarrelag nations should day after
day force each other with cannons pointed at each
other, and only fordable river between them, and
conflict not result. II was conceded that this was
disputed territory. What right had the United
States to take possession of Had not the other
disputing claimant an equal right But he would
not prosecute that view Of the subject at present
He was willing TO consider the exlgency as urgent
as they pleased and to make adequate preparation.
As IL was the wish Of some senators TO rest with
that in the meantime, he should be entirely content
with that course, but he did not know that he
would be willing TO limit the government TO repelllns
invasion. Perhaps he would be satisfied with all
expression of what he meant by repelling invasion.
He meant by that pursuing, beating down, till the
BORDERS freed from danger of repetition Of the
invasion.
A SENATOR. That would be war.
difference very perceptible one. He believed ii
was indispensable policy TO make the war as sharp
and short as possible. IL il fingered one year II
would not be a Mexican war. With straw you
could kndle fire to burn down city. In this
connected condition of the world war was felt every
where. War could not be made with Mex leo
without touching the interests and exciting the
ealousies of all nations trading with us. Great
consequences might be involved in that war He
would therefore make It as comPendious as posi-
BILE. He would even, If he had his way, send a
minister penipotentiaTy with the general and be.
tween every blow hold out the offer Of peace He
would be willing to give the means to the President
for the purpose Of repeng invasion, and other wise
prosecuting hosIIes, till the peace of the country
be secured from the danger Further invasion. All
the time he would give notice Of peace by the min
lister going along with the general. Thus limited
he was assured they would get any amount of mill
tary force. He would move to strike out and in
sert something like that which he had suggested.
After expressing his dissatisfaction with the pre-
amble, Of which he saw no necesslty-there was
none in the declaration of war in l6l2-the honor
able senator resumed his seat.
Mr.. CALHOUN then rose and said: Senators
have not made the distinction-an obvious one
between the fact whether there be war, and the act
of declaring war All admitted that there was no
war connected with this invasion which gave them
right TO declare war. War was an act OF hostility,
which came from the sovereign power. As a mere
the bill. As men, and patriots, he appealed to
the senators whether they ought not to remove this
mpediment, provided its removal would not destroy
the efficiency of the bill. They ought to accom-.
mOdate those who thought with him. Was it not
desirable TO have strong vote Why, then, not re-
move this impeachment TO a strong vote? There could
be but objection, and that was, that it would
render the bill less efficient But could that obiec-
ton be entertained by any one? He now came to
make some remarks on the speech of the senator
from Kentucky, [Mr. CRIrTESDEs. He had made
a suggestion which seemed to remove every obiec-
tion. 1t gave this bill all possible eiciency-abilty
prosecute the hostilites not merely the frontier
but beyond it. They could do no more than that
But since some gentlemen around him seemed
to say that there war, he would allude to that
The difference between the existing state of things
was as wide as the poles. War placed every mem.
Der Of this community at war with every member OF
the Mexican community. But it did not end there
it created new relations between this country and
all other powers, and amongst these relations was
the light of Notwithstanding with the ma
tons of the world, and tending to bring us into
conflict with them. The moment war was de-
clared prlvaeerlDg commenced, and swarms Of
privateers were let loose upon extended COM
MERGE. And more than that any mode of ad,
justment was set aside except that by treaty OF
peace Why, in the name of all that is rea-
sonable, he asked, would they rush at once to
the ultimate resort Suppose this turned out 10 be
animation of all the documents Let the declaration
be made in due form and with becoming dignity
not In this sIde-way, as if they afraid do it.
Let them show front to the world such as was
becoming the character of the nation. In the pres
ent condition of the world, war was tremen.
dous thing. The whole sentiment Of the civil
ized world was turning stronger and stronger
against war. And let us not, (said Mr.. CO. for
the honor of our country-for the dignity of the
rePubIIc-be the first to create state of war. Nor
tai man cannot see the end Oft. When | look on
and see that we rushing upon the most tremen-
dous event. am amazed. | am more than amazed;
| am in state of wonder and deep alarm THIS is
not the tone OF character TO go into war They who
go into war in this manner-as if seeking divisve
course-cannot expect to succeed. 1t is hasy,
thoughtless course do wish to use any words in
an offensive sense-but with all possible emphasis
exhort you to avoid even the appearance of precipi.
fancy or want Of that deep reflection and profound
meditation which alone can guide you to a success
full issue.
Mr.. ALLEN here said he would no, protract the
discussion. There were certain great facts in this
case which no arguments could set aside Our
friendly relations with Mexico had been interrupted
by her own acts. She had recalled her minister
literally expelled ourS-and had invaded our
sell with her armies These facts nothing could set
aside, and the way of duty was clear noon
day.
The PRESIDENT then proceeded to put the
question on Mr.. J. NJ. CLAYroN's motion TO strike
out, when
Mr. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, stated that he
would vote in favor of the motion to strike out, for
the purpose Of inserting the amendment suggested
by the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. CRIrTEN
DEN, wishing it distinctly understood that he did
not intend at the present time to express any opn-
ion upon the propriety of marching United States
troops upon the territory in dispute between this
country and Mexico.
Mr.. BREESE desired to be informed whether the
yeas and nays had been ordered upon the motion
under discussion; the motion originally was to
strike out and insert, upon which the yeas and
nays were ordered; subsequently the motion was
modified and is now simply to strike out; he de-
sired to know whether the yeas and nays had been
ordered upon this modification
The PRESIDENT replied in the affirmative.
The question was then tax en-, and resulted as fol-
lows:
fEAS-Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Berrien Calhoun
Thomas Clayton, John NJ. Clayton, Corwin, Crtenden
Davis, Dayton Evans Huntington johnson, of Mary land
Johnson OF louisiana, McDuhie Mangum Morehead Sim.
mons upham and WoOdbridge-20.
NAfS-MesSrs. Allen, Ashley, Atchison Atberton
Bagby, Benton, Breese Bright Cameron tnloui,,