The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-22

Joined his voice in the patriotic shout of "ay,"
is now found an advocate Of Mexico and Of Mex;
at the manner in which my colleague attempts to ex-
cuse himself. | am not much in the habit OF quoting
poetry, but there is verse which just now occurs TO me-
and Is so applicable, that must reclte IT, say that the
gentleman's FAYE" on that occasion will
''IIaunt thee like wicked conscience still,
That mouldeth goblins swim as irenzy's thought
have one remark two to make here in relation to the
moral influence OF the course pursued by my colleague
We are engaged IN war with foreign enemy, / ask
what is better calculated TO nerve the arm OF that
enemy than the declaration that we are IN the
wrong? What, | ask, is more calculated to I'M
nerve the OF the volunteer from Tennessee
than to tell him that his country is engaged in an
unjust war; The course pursued by my colleague at the
last session, and his conduct now reminds me very much
OF an anecdote once heard OF the hypochondrac Eu,
rope who ancled himself TO be possessed OF herehcal
leg and an orthodox leg To punish the heretlcal leg
for he proiessed to be very religious man he was IN
the habit OF removing all covering from IT, and exposing
II to the chilling severity OF the cold atmosphere. ask
my colleague which is the patriotic leg and which the
Mexican leg! l. Taught Is il the leg OF this session
that he puts FORTH the patriotic leg OF last session,
which was so trumphanty displayed in the defence OF
his country, that ne now puts forth In his remarks
Yesterday my colleague appauded the President OF the
United States as a gentleman. he admitted that he hal
always exhibited the courteous and honorable character
league stated that he had met the President in political
contest and he bore testimony 10 the courtesy and pO
likeness Of the President that occasion He stated fur
ther, that he animated by personal ll-will-no
all these sentiments OF respect which my colleague as
he has always entertained for the President he
yet came forward the other day and declared on this floor
that 1.-THE personal character OF the President was unwor
thy the appreciation OF the meanes mnon that shouted IN
his train" How strangely inconsistent My col
league knew well that the private character Of the
President was such as had uniformly commanded
the respect alike OF his political friends and his political
foes. And here boldly assert, that in all the private
relations Of lfe-in all political contests in his native
Sate-hroughout his whole career, the President has
maintained character OF spotess ntegnty-a character
which can be safely put IN comparison with that OF any
OF his accusers Ii is for this House to determine Mr.
Chairman, whether the President OF the United States
treated with becoming courtesy by my colleague
this floor few days since, when face 10 face Greek
met Greek-when my colleague and the President met in
the political contes-courtesy prevailed. No lie was
then Tudely given No inslnuaton oil puslllanmIty
meanness was then attempted But now the gentleman
said he would lift up his voice and spare not in order to
show that he was not afraid TO speak Not afraid TO
speak Who doubted it; Who dare to insinuate that
he who could in the coarsest terms denounce his opponent
when he was a mile and quarter distant was afraid
to speak IA taught Certainly gentleman so
chlvalrc-sO bod-could never be suspected OF being
afraid to speak here or anywhere else have but
few additional remarks TO make, and shall be brief
possible. do not intend 10 arralgn gentleman.
come not here to mPugn the motives OF any member
OF this House But come to defend myself against the
charge of treason And might perhaps, find occasion
for some little personal insult, ii it were not that
have determined to have no controversy here
with the Mexcans their adherents On But
am guilty Of treasonEwby Because | am
OF violation OF the constitution IN carrying on this war
Why, have shown you that this war was commenced
bv Mexico; and proved ii by the solemn fact recorded
on your journals and endorsed BY my colleague. Who
has declared this war; answer Congress has declared
this Congress has placed in the hands Of the Pres
dent the means to prosecute this war. And is It not
strange the President for doing the very thing which my
colleague clothed him with power TO DO is denounced
traitor Is 1t not passing strange that the President for
executing the commands OF my colleague, is denounced
by that very gentleman guilty OF treason speak in
scrpural sense. IA Taught If build up that which
destroy, am | not transgressor' For what has the
President waged this war; Why does not the gentleman
ask himself why he voted for this war; Pie President,
he says is carrying the without telling us the
tensibe objects of the The gentleman says that
his brave soldiers at Pao Alto But that the way to
relieve General Taylor? II that had been the gentle
mans object in voting for the war, why did he not adopt
the plan OF the gentleman from Massachusetts,, Mr.
tIUDsoN and, like another Cato. call upon the Pres
dent to ''dsband his legions ?" Let u.s. Mr. Chairman,
take very brief view OF the events-of the Of
recoect at the last session of Congress to have wit
nessed-l say with all respect-on the countenance OF
my friend some degree OF writing under the lash of the
venerable gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. ADAMS
The gentleman from Kentucky said he was in favor
Of whipping Mexico into peace. The gentleman from
Massachusetts, replied that we had whipped her enough
agreed with him them and expected from the naniies
tatons he presented that evening" that until this war
had terminated we should have had no discussion to
the causes Of the war but would press forward to a
peace, to be obtained BY whipping Meyco" But we
have resumed seats here, and instead OF unanmty
find very different aspect of affairs. Mr.. Chair
man, longer time ago that now choose to tell used
to do little of what call in Tennessee "hstcuf"
A Taught But never could fight when told that my
cause was bad. When fancled that had received an
insult and my friends held me back and told me had
fleet. When my father told me that my cause was not
Just reflected. But when my friends said, MARTINS
in the right" ! made-but | won't say what | did.
What sort OF ridiculous attitude does he present who
calls chap who, with coat of and sleeves tucked
up, has spat on his hands, and gone at it real Tennes
hi" [Laugher.] How ridiculous to call out to the
President, "Polk, you're in the wrong, but whip
em like d-n" Renewed laughterl POLK,
you're in an unjust war-you're leading the coun
Try into damnable war, but mind, whip 'em
like h-ln [Laughterl Now, Mr. Chairman, admire
fourteen" that voted against the declaration OF war
say to the gentleman from Ohio the way, [Mr.
GIDDNGs notwithstanding you have committed political
sins OF high ORDER yet in this business of the you
consistent, and deserve the thanks of COOL men.
Your judgment convinced that the wrong,
" Jonathan, you're going into unjust war; I'll wash
my hands OF it" IA laugh. That's the language OF
the gentleman from Ohio, and the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts He violates the laws neither Of God nor
man. But he who dcnounces the war unjust, and yet
votes for it, violates both Gods holy law and every prn
battefeld-thcy behold the battlements of Monterey
they a chivarc Worth-(anl Worth let his name
evermore remain, for his dee Is those of true y
they see him scaling the fortified heights-they hear
Campbell and Anderson of Tennessee, commanding the
brave volunteers of that State, and they declare: eve
dents war; it is an unholy war" What would be the
effect of such speech? Would it not parayze the
heart-strings OF the gallant volunteer? Would it not
cause him to sheath his sword, AMI pause in sorrow