The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-05
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MR. w. w. wooDwoRTH,

Mr.. WOODWORTH, of New York. addressed the
House as follows in explanation OF his vote on the VIII
mot proviso; f.a.fFf
| Mr.. SPEAKER: feel indebted to my distinguished
friend from Massachusetts mir AsHMuN for the oppor-
tunty he allows of saying few words in eXplana-
ton of the vote have just given the Wimot provso
From that gentemans known courtesy, could have ex,
pected no less and the friendly relations that have sub
sisted between usreations in degree hazarded by
the difference IN our political opinons-receive new
strength from his present Kindness ~
Mr. Speaker, it is true that voted for the Wmo pro-
yso; is known to many that gave early notice of my
subject have affected mystery in relation to my con-
duct The prinoyIe of the proviso has commanded
the assent of my heart its assertion have maintained
during the last and present session. should depend ia
vorabe opportunity. ~
am content, for one Mr.. Speaker TO leave slavery
where the constitution has left it. The constitution
that glorious offspring of mutual compromise no
power to the slave States of adding to their numbers
does authorize the free States 10 interfere with slavery,
in any to affect its character In the States
where existed the adoption of the constitution, the
institution OF slavery is protected from external assault
by the provisions, express or implied OF that instrument
but under it, it cannot extend itself to the acquisition OF
other territory; and all territory since acquired with sa
very existing therein has been with the suerance and
by the of the free States Slavery has been con-
coded by the north than instance to the terri
oria extension of the SOUTH consideration OF
cal or other advantages acquired thereby So it
in the purchase of Louisiana and Florida, and the
annexation of Texas -ls JUS
am not disposed now, Mr.. Speaker, to go over the
lrodden ground of the origin of this war Whether
il necessarily resulted from the annexation OF Texas,
whether il provoked, and rendered inevitable by the
march of army upon the Rio G7lnde, or whether as
hold it forced upon us by the Mexcans them
Selves do not intend at present to consider II is suf
cent for me to know, that by acta solemn and de-
liberate act-of our own government, war with Mexico
has been declared to exist And although am willing
to give all credit that is due the gentlemen who have
supported with so much ability either or all of these hy-
potheses had rather praise their ingenuity than initiate
their example.
Mr. Speaker, we are in the midst of a war, and we
must bear and conduct it with all patriotism and all
our energies War, at the best, civilian almost in
toerable evil-and should never commence but when
peace is no longer to be maintained with honor should
always terminate when peace be obtained and honor
satisfied But am not one of those, Mr. Speaker who
affect mawksh horror of war, or denounce it in all
cases and under all circumstances the most niquous
of nqutes On the contrary hold that is often the
preventive of far greater evils; wards off, rather than
duces national calamity develops the energies of the
mind, ever more active under excitement and, above
all brings out and cutvates that ardent patriotism whose
full development alone pepetuate the union of these
States.
But, Mr.. Speaker, the genius of this country lies in
therto had been engaged of inevitable neces
sity; by the first asserted and secured the political
independence OF our country; by the other, assumed
and defended principle, destined to wide and universal
mitaton-the safety Of the citiSen under the flag Of his
country oil neutral ground. For these we fought,
and in these triumphed.
By fault of own, has been preciptated up
on us. And becomes us to endure this new and
vabc relation with all philosophy all the time seek
an opportunity 10 terminate II peaceaby.
The earliest feasible mode of putting end to the
fortunate hostties now subssting between and Mex
co have thought, since he urged it, this prop
oston OF the President am confident he is much bet
ter advised than of the influence that pervades
Mexican councils. His superior information he cannot
mpar to us, without at the same time endangering. il
not utterly destroying the hopes OF peace of which
the cause have that abiding confidence in his sagacy,
and in the wisdom of the council by whom he surrounds
HIMSELF to give him this evidence Of trust and grant
him, pithout restriction, the three million loan.
Were with established Mr.
Speaker-a government in whose engagements we could
repose any confidence or OF whose duration enter
tanned any hope-the usual forms OF diplomacy might
alone be necessary for nercommunicaon But there
in Mexico, properly speaking established authority
all power there is uncertain and indefinite; the nominal
President of to-day may be suppanted tomorrow, and
be obliged give way in equal rapidty to as nominal
successor Each one in turn and reinqushes
supreme authority; and the very facility of change in
natural consequence, begets desire therefor.
But there isone power in Mexico Mr., Speaker, which,
unrecognsed in the constitution of the State, and in d.
rect opposition to Its laws controls Its affairs With that
Mexico. II is its Congress OF bayonets, lis representa-
tives at San Luis.
would send to them, Mr. Speaker, the sword and the
purse, both much force 1t was the old Roman method
of negotiating peace and has lost of its efficacy
by its transmission through centuries Choose the
one the other; let our minister's civil or military be
instructed to say and lei him be provided with the ability
to compel and bind them to their option.
Nor am alone or unsupported in the position have
assumed Many OF my political friends, am happy TO
think-of my most sagaclous and influential political
friends-hod with me this opinion am glad to find
that commands majority in Congress We lose moth
ing by the experiment-we may gain much by it.
And, Mr. Speaker this opinion is not confined to the
political party which have the honor belong is
cultivated to certain extent among my political oppo
nents-men who have much regard for the interests
of their country OF which peace is the great promoter
encourage the spirit of craftsmanship But lately
M,c one earnest articles, recommending the Cery
course haze adopted the Ne,c York Tibune-a press
conducted Nth more ability and exercising more Influence
than any other Of the party in our State 1t there
recommended to the wings in case the proyso should be
lost still advocate the adoption OF the bill 1t
chance for peace--it was plank to drowning men,
Mr. Speaker, when the bill with the prOvisO attached
to it. which had passed this House, had been rejected in
had hxedly arrived at that on the solution OF such
contingency, that is the rejection of such proviso by
the Senate, would vote against the poviso the
turn of the bill to the House, and the loan And
herein, Mr.. Speaker am subject to charge OF ter
gversation and though am there will be burst
prepared to meet my constituency and appeal from the
temporary excitement of disappointed faction interested
party the sober, sound, and enduring of patriot
ISM which distinguishes my State. a
The mpossbility of passing the bill through the Sen
ate with the proviso attached, suspected before,
made certain by the decisive vote OF that body on Mon.
day last Ii then CERTAIN that II we still cogged
this measurea measure, .as trust, the harbinger OF
peacewith provision, ungrateful to that honorable
body its fate was doomed Without the means of nego-
tedious with Mexico through the long vacation that
awaits us, with her disposition to consider the pre-
limnaries of peace.
Mr. Speaker, when saw on one side somewhat OBJ.
snae demand for congressional endorsement of prn-
cpe so deeply rooted among the free States require
no such expression-a demand made by many of my no
tical friends not good faith not from sincere attach
ment IN its character but from an concealed desire 10