The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-24

The case of the annexation of Texas to the Unite,
States recent and obvious one, where, II II wer'
wrong, IT cannot now be repaired Texas is now an IN
egral part of Union, with its voluntary consent
Many of opposed the annexation with honest zeal anc
most earnest eXeriions But who would now think Of
peperang the folly OF casting Texas out OF the confed
eracy, and throwing her back upon her indepen
dence, or into the of Mexico! Who would now
seek to divorce her from this Unions The Creeks and
the Cherokee Indians were by the most eAcePnonaole
means, driven from their country and transported beyond
the Mississippi river Their lands have been fairly pur
chased and occupied by inhabitants of Georgia, Alabama
Mississippi and Tennessee Who would now conceive
restoring the Indian country to the Cherokees and the
Creeks, under color OF repairing original injustice
During the war OF our revolution millions OF paper
meney issued by the only currency
with which they could achieve our Liberties and ndepen-
dence Thousands and hundreds OF thousands of families
were stripped OF their homes and their all, and brought
to run by giving credit and confidence to that spurious
currency Stern necessity has prevented the reparaton OF
that great national injustice.
But forbear-I will no longer trespass upon your pa
hence, further tax my voice, impaired by speech
OF than three hours duration which professional
duty required me to make only few days ago II |
have been at all successful in the exposition of the views
and opinions which entertain, have shown
1st That the present war was brought about by the
annexation of Texas and the subsequent order of the
President, without the previous consent and authority Of
Congress.
ID That the President, being unenlghened and unin-
struced by any public declaration of Congress as OBJ
ecs for which ought TO be prosecuted, in the conduct
national interests and honor may require.
sd That the whole ar-makng power of the nation,
as 10 motives, causes and objects is conded by the con
stituton to the discretion and judgment OF Congress
9TH That it is, therefore, the right OF Congress, a the
during the progress of any war, de-
clare for what objects and purposes the ought TO be
waged and prosecuted
5th That it is the right and duty of Congress to an
to the nation for what objects the present shall
be longer continued that is the duty of the President
in the exercise of all his official functions to conform
and carry out this declared will of Congress- by the
ercse necessary, of all the high powers with which he
is cothed and that he fail or refuse to do So be-
the imperative duty of Congress to the fur
ther progress OF the war by the most eectua
its power
Let Congress announce to the nation the objects for
which this war shall be further protracted and public
suspense and public nquetude will longer remain Ii
1t Is to be war OF conquest of ALL any part of MeXi
co, let the people know it, and they will be no longer
agltaied by dark and uncertain future. But although
might have forborne to express any opinion whatever
as to the purposes and objects for which the should
be continued have not thought proper to conceal my
opinions, whether worth anything not from the pub
llc examination. Accordingly, have stated
9th. That it seems to me that il is the duty Of our
country, well the Of moderation and magma
nmty with the view of avoiding discord and discon-
tent at home, to abstain from seeking conquer and
to the United States Mexico or any part of it and
especially to dsabuse the public mind any quarter OF
the Union OF the impression, If anywhere exists that
desire Tor such conquest is cherished for the purpose of
propagating OF extending slavery
have embodied, MIR. President and feow-citizens,
the sentiments and opinions which have endeavored
to explain and enforce in series of resolutions, which
beg now to submit to your consideration and Judgment
They are the following:
l. Resorcd AS the opinion Of this meeting that the pri-
the United States of America the United States OF the
republic OF Mexico, was the annexation of Texas the
former and that the immediate of hostites be-
tween the two republics of the order of the Pres
dent OF the United States for the removal army under
the command ofGeneraI Taylor, position at Corpus
Christi 70 point Opposite 70 Matamorss the bank
OF the no Bravo within territory claimed by both epub-
es, put then under the jurisdiction OF that of Mexico
inhabited by its citizens and that the order of the Pres
dent Tor the removal OF the army that point IMPROVE
dent and UNCONSTITUTIONAL it being without the concurrence
OF Congress- or even any consultation with it, although
acts recognised the thus brought existence with
out Its previous authority or consent the prosecution of
Resored That in the absence of any formal and pub
NC declaration oy Congress OF the objects for which the
States Chief Magistrate, and commandments chief Of
the army and navy OF the United States, is left the gu
dance OF MS own Judgment to it for such pur
poses and objects he may deem the honor and
j. Resoiced That, by the constitution of the United
States Congress- being invested with power to declare
rules concerning captures land water to raise and
support armies to provide and maintain navy, and
make rules for the government of the land and naval forces
mas tue iu and complete warmakng power United
States and SO possessing it, has right determine upon
the motives causes and objects OF any war; when it com
or at any time during the progress of its existence
Reopsd AS the further opinion of this meeting that
henc act purposes and Objects the Existing war
10 De further prosecuted that it is the duty Of the
OFFICIAL conduct, conform such
claaton OF Congress- and that if, after such declaration
the President should decline refuse to endeayor NV ali
e means, civil dpomatic and military, his power
70 execute the announced will of Congress- and in defiance
OF Its authority should continue prosecute the for
purposes and objects other than declared by that BODY
would become the right and duy Congress adopt the
most eficacious measures further progress OF
e war; taxing care to make ample provision for the honor
c siiey, ana security OF armies in Mexico in every
contingency And If Mexico should decline or refuse 10
conclude treay with us spuatng for the purposes and
objects 80 declared by Congress- it would be the duty
s 10 prosecute The war with the utmost vigor,
until they were attained by q treaty of peace
D. hesofped, That we view with ALARM and are
ueiy opposed 10 any purpose Of annexing Mexico
Itaes IN any mode, and especially by conquest
that we believe the two nations could happily COW
erneu ny one common authority owing their differ
ehce % race law, language, and religion and the
tent OF er respective territories and large
sent OIL the exasperaed Mexican people, could only be eff
1ected ana preserved by large and the
constant application of military focen Other words bv
despotlc sway exercised the Mexican people in the
first instance, but which, there would be lust cause To an
prehend might IN process of me be extended over the
people oil the United States that deprecate therefore
SUCH union as wholly incompatible with the genius of our
government and with the character Of free and liberal in
suutions and we anxouslY hope that each nation NAV
be left in the undsturbed possession of its own laws Ian
guaSe, cherished religion and territory pursue its own
happiness according to what il may deem best for itself
Resopcd That considering the series of splendid and
oriant victories achieved by brave armies and their
sanan, commanders during the with Mexico una
enueu by single reverse, the United States without any
oanScr oil their honor suffering the slightest tarn can
practise the virtues of moderation and rs
ther discounted Zoe. We have desire for the d men
bernen OF the United States of the Republic of Mex co
but wish only lust and proper fixaton Of the Limits ~
Texas
a. Resolved, That do positively and emphncally dis
claim ana dlsavow any wish desire, part 10 ac
qure any foreign territory whatever for the purpose of
agatng slavery, of introducing from the United
states into such foreign territory.