The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-17
Prom The n. T. UI0Des
SPEECH OF HON VIM. Is. MACLAY AT
CASTLE GARDEN

the 18TH INST on presenting SWORD 10 L'eu',N :,
Charles r. Morris, one of the heroes OF the baes "
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. We take sres'
pleasure IN publishing IL, as Il does credit 70 VIC
tor who delivered IL, and The gallant soldier ~hos
services called il forth. We also publish e'e'
from Lieut. Morris, which will be iouho oeio"'
Mr.. Maclay, on rising, said;
81 have been selected by the LIST and "a regiments
of volunteers Of the State OF New York, and a re-
spectacle body of citizens here assembled, TO pre-.
sent their behalf an appropriate testimonial OF
their appreciation OF the galantry and good eonduct
of Lieut. Morris, an officer Of the memorable bat
ties Of the 9th and 9Th Of May, on the frontier OF
Texas. Mr.. Maclay said he complied with great
cheeruness not because OF his ability TO justify the
partiaty Of his friends but because he desired to
participate in occasion honorable TO the givers
of this testimonial and its recipient The source
from which this marked tribute Of esteem proceed
ed rendered il the more valuable, and, he doubted
not, the more acceptable. These regiments were
composed Of men who had nobly and promptly re-
sponded TO the call Of their country, and whose
hearts and hands ready for Its service.
"Remoteness from the scene Of action, and the
zeal of thousands more favored in position who had
hocked TO the national standard, had alone prevent
ed them from sharing in the glories Of our arms and
from adding laures 10 the established honor and
patriotism Of the Empire State.
They had this day furnished beautiful Illus
tration Of the truth that those who know how TO dis
charge pubic duty themselves could best appree'
ate, and were the first 10 acknowledge It's proper
performance in others.
''For the first time in period OF more than thirty
years found ourselves al par-at war with a
government which, commencing with the name OF d
republic, had existed under a succession Of military
dctators, and seemed likely TO end IN the worst form
of degraded dospotsm. When Mexico emerged
from the bondage Of Spanish dominion, ours was
the first friendly voice that greeted her ear-ours
was the first government that acknowledged her In
dependenee-ours was the only helping hand ex
tended We introduced her into the community OF
..nA lRasH al haE alaIAE -
gave her the protection Of acknowledgment, the
advice Of our experience, the example Of our insI-
tutions.
1--WE showed her. in many pictured page Of
our national history, what virtue and valor had
complished, and taught her how civil and religious
liberty WA TO be preserved. Weopened diplomatic
intercourse made treaties TO prosper her trade, and
had established relations Of amity and interest, OF
friendship and prosperity.
These lessons OF wisdom, these acts Of generous
confidence and kindness, were disregarded. She
violated the faith Of her solemn treaties; she prated
and destroyed our commerce; dlshonored her obi
cations, and insulted our government. Yet these
injuries went unresented, and these wrongs unre-
dressed.
I'VE appealed to a moral sense which was dor
man, and TO principles Of national honor which
gave no response. Il was then discovered that Mex
leo wanting IN that great element, as necessary
to the excellence Of individuals the integrity OF
governments. She had no public virtue; yet force
not employed to compel reparation for the inju-
ries inflicted upon US, although for far less
came about our last struggle with Great Britain.
Her weakness was per protection. Her nominal
institutions though decayed and rampleu under the
feet Of her military leaders, stll excited the symps-
thies and warmed the generosity Of the American
bosom. Language of peace and Cancellation, in
stead of the demands Of justice, or their aterna-
tiyes, were addressed to her. t.length she con-
scented TO a convention, for the adjustment of the
claims of our citizens, in which she equally rep
resented. Mr.. Macay stated 1t would not be prop
er, this OCCASION TO enter upon recapitulson Of
the difficulties and delays which were multiplied ana
accumulated to stop the course Of even-handed JUS
tice.
The convention was dissolved; two millions out
Il twenty were adjudcated; large proportion of
these lawful claims could not even be presented and
their owners no had for years borne these wrongs,
were again aban doned to the consolation Of hope de-
ferred.
"Mexico was false to her new engagements
she had been fahcss TO her former pledges; and
when the tive rrrv |, she protested her solemnly
atested prof.. ,es Indemnity.
"Meanmc, however, the march of free govern
nent was onward. Hardy Adventures, like those
,,old pioneers who had opened up to posterity the
treat garden of the west-in that restless spirit Of
enterprise which peculiarly characterizes peo-
ole, and which was even now dIfusing our language
and our laws, our manners and our liberty to the
shores of the Paciic-migrated to Texas They
had carried thither, had their fathers the
Atlantic wave, those elements which raise
up nation Of freemen Devoted to the institutions
which thew had left seek this home in the wilder
ness and accustomed to independence Of thought
and action, provincial allegiance to them
salage which they could not endure. The restric-
tons and DEGREES of a remote central government
grated upon their ears with the harshness Of royal
mandates; and when the hand Of oppression was
outstretched, to take away rights which had been
given and guaranteed to them, they resolved as
ihsr fathers had done, to be free, perish in the
attempt d.. -. ..-'.. ~.
The same indomitabc spirit, courage, and energy,
which carried the patriots Of the revolution through
that memorable struggle, which had taught the
crowned heads Of the old world, that man, made af-
ter the image Of his Maker was not born to be OPP
pressed-which, at single blow, dissolved the
charm Of power, and poured over a continent the
it, upon the plains of San Jacinto raised Texas to
the rank Of an independent republic, and gave her
name and place among the nations of the earth. A
handful Of brave pioneers, unframed In the of
war, and almost unarmed, met and overthrow the
howe.-of the Mexican arms, and made prisoner the
renowned captain who led the forces to the field.
Years rolled away, and Texas with ilial devotion,
sought place IN our confederacy to mingle her
light and destiny with the stars of this republic.
The world knew with what enthusiasm and compar-
alive unanimity our people had rushed to her en-
brace, and history had recorded the eventful con-
summation. .-.
Mexico not only protested against this rightful
measure of annexation, but she Withdrew her min
anu heopcu "o'6hty "Poh Jul SohShtutou uu-
thores for obedience to the expressed will of the
people. Mr.. Macay said, that in the face of these
repeated outrages, our government had still hoped
for returning sense of justice, against the
vicons which long experience had established and
preferring peace and Its attendant caamties,
an overture was made to restore the amicable ties
which Mexico had wantony and cspriciously
sundered. 1t was accepted with apparent sncerty
and JOY Our navy was withdrawn from her ports,
and the march of army to the Iimits had
been
might not embarrass speedy and honorable settle
ment. A minister clothed with full powers was
despatched to her territory. Here he was delayed
and nsuted, and finally ordered out Of the juris-
dlcton Of Mexico; and superadded to these ouagcs,
her military dictator declared war against the United
States.
This last act of perfdy destroyed all confidence in
her future faith. Then was It that our gallant little