The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-08

~S~so'S~
these cases where the old Irish maxim applied
that the best way to avoid difficulty was to
come up to it plump voted for that bill, and while
had the utmost respect for those who differed from
have never seen canse 70 regret my course But when
voted TO give the President the war power six months
ago, To meet any existing exgency OF war and for the
purpose Of re-establishng the peace OF the county,
therefore, TO be held responsible for every act which he
may see ut e perform under that sw Ae w called on
prosecute that war II is most preposterous idea, and
hardly requires word of Reproduction remark Let
me say sur that - for the very reason that voted for
that tremendous prerogative Of war; in part impaired by
my votefor these reasons, feel all the greater right,
and all the greater obligation to hold him to his respon-
sbility-o inquire OF him how he has exercised that
power and to what ends he is exercising ito call
upon him to remember the pledges under which that was
extored from uso call upon him audby and earnestly,
however feeby, to pause in his careera career for
which that power given him, and utterly al
variance with the safety OF institutions In making some
remarks on this war, do not intend in any degree to
justify the conduct OF Mexico. do not deny- never
have denied that we have just cause OF complaint against
Mexico, grossly exaggerated believe many of the
representations of the President and his supporters upon
tons commerce. But freely admit that Mexico
has been much at fault in that matter. am not disposed
to deny that she has been at fault in many matters since
the independence OF Texas. She was wrong when she
did acknowledge the independence of Texas was DIS
posed to do in atxng to that acknowledgment con-
ed offensive to others. She wrong in breaking of
so abruptly all diplomatic intercourse with the United
States, when the act Of annexation had passed the w
houses OF Congress. She wrong In not receiving
Mr. Sliden, agreeably to the understanding between the
two govemments-as conceve-when he was sent up
on mission OF peace more than year ago. She was
wrong, in my judgment, in not giving more concato
ry answer to the renewed proers OF peace-for which
am willing to give credit to the administration now and
aways-which made to Mexico during the last au
tumn And she will be wrong again. i'll my Judgment If, as
greatly fear her Congress shall decide to persist in the
rejection OF all proers OF peace am not one OF hose-and
perhaps it that which led TO alude to the honor
able gentleman from Ohio-I not one of those who
be understood TO say to Mexico, that if were
Mexican, as am an American, | would not lay down
my arms while an American soldier was on the soil OF
my country. No. sir. Ii hal voice which believed
would reach beyond the little circles OF this haf it
possible for me to do what an honorable member
from eorgia-unntentionally am sure-was disposed
ear OF the Mexican rulers or the Mexican people-f !
could whisper word in the OF that intelligent and
accomplished gentleman who was known to us all so
favoraby little more than year ago-Genera Amonte
and who seems now to be about TO assume the very
lead in conducting Mexican affairs, would say to Mex
co would say to him, one who has been uniformly
opposed to the annexation of Texasas one who at this
moment desires peace but one which should be hon.
orable to both countries to Mexico as well as to my
own countryas who does not desire to one acre
OF territory taken from Mexico as the result OF this war
would say to her and to him abandon something OF
these naughty pretensons-abate something OF this
false pride, which is huryng you to your ruin--re-
which you seem to have adopted, and proclaim upon
some terms-proclaims your readiness to meet the
United States in our amicabe arrangement of all diff
cultiesw would say to her that she had done enough
to show her respect to principles of true honor false
honorthe plains of Resca de la Palma and the heights
Of Monterey have proved sufficiently her spirit and
bravery. would tell her that she had nothing to ex-
pect from any divisions here-that however we might
differ about the war-however much disposed we might
be to rebuke the conduct OF own executive in the COM
mission OF acts which considered inconsistent with the
spirit OF our constitution and government yet she need
expect no laid and comfort from the American people
that that was an insinuaton whether coming from the
base would tell her that, on the contrary that in
my Judgment and in the opinion of all parties, it would
be for the highest honor and the true interest OF Mexico
to specify some terms which she could at least meet
the United States. for the purpose OF amicable arrange
mcnt That would be my speech to Mexico, and if
there were any. "aid and comfort in it. am willing
to submit 10 all the pains and penalties to which
that violation of the constitution exposed me- Bnt while
these are my views, and in which differ from some Of
my friends therefore called upon to sustain my own
Executive in every act and throughout his whole career
whatever it may be, to give him 'aid and comfort ~
There several sentences were not disticty heard but
the honorable gentleman was understood to speak OF the
the result Of Texas annexation, measure which
had been gowngy describe! as one calculated TO pro-
mote the peace, prosperity and defence OF the country
Abiding to the clone STAR in this connection, he said
reminded him OF the star described in the vision of the
apostle on the Isle Of Patmos:
"And the third angst sounded, and there fell great
fom heaven, burning as n were lamp, and fell upon
"And the name Of the star is called Womwood and the
third part of the waters became, wormwood and many
died of the because they made bitter"
The manner in which annexation was consummated
was the second Of the war; Congress distinctly
recognised disputed terrory-an unsettled boundary
and called upon the President to settle that question by
amicabe negotiation The President profered the nego
tiation. | give him credit for that 1t was rejected
What next Instead Of acting in the spirit OF peace, and
laying the matter before Congress- the Executive proceed
ed to make himself. He proceeded to assert the
American title to that disputed territory by force OF arms
That was the direct and immediate Of the Mexican
But for what end is the war 10 be prosecuted? On
this desire to do injustice to the Executive, and shall
therefore quote from the message itself What said the
President!
"The has not been waged with view TO conquest ;
but having been commenced by Mexico, il has been
red into the enenys country and will be vigorously prose-
rel as to our n~eiisd CITIZENS, wso hod ia2ge peerniary
demands against Mcrico. "-1fcssdgc, p. ~.
"Among our just causes Of complaint against Mexico
arising out of her refusal to treat for peace as well before
as since the war, musiy commenced on her part
the extraordinary expenditures In which we have been in
voved Justice people will make IL proper that
Mexico should be held responsible for these expenditures"
ID. p. Is
And that is the honorable peace for which contend
and for which these ten regiments are to be called out
these paragraphs in regard indicating the title to any
Texan American territory. he has reduced the war
to a mere money war-a for indemnites Now.
differ from my honorable friend from Georgia, Mr.
TooMss.] in regard to that Whether It be money OF
land which is taken indemnity, am utterly opposed
to any war prosecuted for such purpose, Why, the
abolition of the law of imprisonment for debt is OF
the triumphs of modern civilization.
Mr.. TOOMBS here made remark, which was inaudi
Bile.
Mr. WINTHROP. am glad that my honorable friend
disclans principle which would carry back to the
the twelve tables of ancient Rome According to the