The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-01
COMMUNICATION.
Opinions of Senator Breese, Of Illinois.
War with Mexico.
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politics. is now proposed to invoke the rejecting and
the temperate friends of the American Unon-the whole
the partial or peudced objections and chickering's which
would present their authors in the unenviable attitude OF
apoogsts of the public enemy, if not in the light OF en-
emes of their government. Let there be truce to
president making, Sufficient for the day is the evil
thereof" More especially let avoid the glazing ncon-
slstency OF denouncng the elevation OF military men to
the highest civil Office at tme and OF clarifying them
at another and putting forth military lame as the highest
qualification to the most elevated civil station in this
country. The motive cannot be yelled from the public
eye there is veil sufficiently thick to hide such in
consistency.
Let us emulate the spirit of Senator Breese, who, in
presenting the resolution of the General Assembly of Hi
nois the Senate and abiding 10 the patriotic OF
his State, remark ed that "therc, this is no party
queson-al are united the desire to see il
prosecuted with vgor and brought to honorable con-
clusion, The resolution is to the pontno subject intro,
duced calculated rrate and to distract councs and
in this the General Assembly has acted noby and wisely
and has FURNISHED proud example, rel irorhy Of amta-
ton by those Of the older States. Illinois looks only TO
the crisis and would scorn she should do the intro
duchon of any topic intended however disguised to para
yZe the power OF the government, and the energies OF
the people, in the prosecution of just war, wased Tor
good cause"
Having introduced the subject is due TO the honor
able Senator and his chivalrc State to give the preamble
and resolution entire, as follows:
"Whercas the government Of the United Sutes en-
gagged in war; and being desirable that the same should
be prosecuted with vgor and tho part OF this
government and terminated speedily possible, by
taking the capital of Mexico if necessary its honorable
limitations; therefore 80
Of Illinois, Uhe Senate conca'rng hre) That our o.na-
Congress be instructed and members requested
for raising men and money carry the war; and that
they aid, by every in their power, any measure or
proposition that in their opinion will nerve the arm OF
Government to increased vsor in the prosecution OF the
same"
The Senator declared in his place that this resolution
passed unanimously, and that it reflects the views and
feelings of the whole State" Truly noble example OF
devoted patriotism, and well worthy of universal imta
ton The claims of this State the respect of her sis
ter q
resolution for her worthy Senator went on to say that
"wheh the first trump OF war was sounded Illinois offer
of whom near four thousand accepted. -Four reg
ments-a larger number, at that time, than any other
State in the Union has had in the feldwith an alacrty
unexamped, repaired, the first summons, to meet
death in every shape, and have proved themselves by
the suerngs they have endured by disease and by per-
forming the most wonderful marches in modern times,
advancing forty miles in day bivouackng at night with
half rations and showing, by their discipline and prompt
obedience orders, that they be relied upon in any
to participate in the perils of the battle field they have
given the strongest that, it, they would not
fail TO reap full harvest OF glory" Prophetic words
very moment he speaking, he evening OF the 23d
of February the gallant of Illinois, the bloody
field of Buena Vista, were fighting SO nobly emulatng
the vao Of the most steady and welldscpned regular
troops and making good, at the moment OF time as
expressed the confident declarations OF their friend and
while he was speaking they were fighting, and the gal
liant Hardin and others of her nobest sons were then
making the last and dearest sacrifice OF their lives IN the
service of their country.
The Senator went on to say !" am proud to respond
to this resolution in the most cordial manner 1t reflects
the true feelings Of hgh-mnded and patriotic people
and coming il does TO me, acifOut the sdUOr OF party
upon it, look back upon the votes have already gwen
all the with increased satisfaction, and
am stimulated to perseverance in the course had mark
ed out for myself before its reception But whilst this
resolution Dsrucs TO vote for all measures IN aud OF
the successful prosecution of the war. am assured at
on honorable terms; and, relaxing none OF my exer:
tons the of the government to increased
vigor in prosecuting The war, SHALL at the same time,
accomplishment of ths desire" To snow the honorable
intentions of the executive government OF our country,
regards the purpose OF the war and its strong desire
for peace Senator Breese went further TO Ael
the trinmphs Of our arms on the 18th and ON OF MAY
last when we had shown 70 the world our aplly. WIN
inferior numbers, to enemy by the power OF
our sword the proud spectacle presented TO the view
of the civilized world by government acuated by an
earnest and honest desire to terminate the war; OF
making voluntary tender of the olive branch of peace
"On the 9th of July last" government proposed
"hat negotiations should forthwith commence Tor the
conclusion of peace just and honorable for both partes;
adding that the dth of August the President frankly
stated his desire for peace declaring that ga just and hon
oabs peace and not qs was Out purpose n IN inc
an enemy in arms against us-Inade by powerful ma
ton victor in every field and with unlimited resources
to feeble one exhausted and distracted condition.
and beaten In every encounterand affords the highest
and most conclusive evidence OF the sincere desire OF our
government for peace Nothing like it has ever occurred
in history.
Again Senator Breese remarked IL pass by the pre-
vous efforts of our government, made in the autumn OF
1885, to resume diplomatic intercourse with Mexico,
which she had abruptly terminated on the passage OF
the Joint resolution for the annexation OF Texas and only
aude to II in this connexon, rs high evidence OF our SIN
cere desire to preserve peace and that the efforts OF the
President have been increasingly directed TO this object
The Senator then proceeded 10 discuss the Proprety OF
making Appropriation TO enable the PRESIDENT to con-
obstnacy of Mexico with regard to her unwarraniable
petensons Texas; the proofs that the Ro Grande IS
the western boundary of Texas the poprlety strength
ened bv precedents OF the orders given to General lay
lor to advance to the vicinity of the Rio Grande being
only wise and prudent forecast for being forewarned
! he forearmed, and ready to meet any emergency
The evidence of the previous OF the Mexican
eastern frontier sustain her conditional declaration OF
war the obligation and necessity OF protecting Texas
the expedency and necessity of prosecuting the war with
ygor into the heart of Mexico to speedy peace
the futility of attempting a line OF defences upon the
rivers of Mexco and the evidences afforded by history
of the impracticabity of doing So Being indebted
to the author of this Speech containing these views,
believe that its republication, together with the alb
stract OF the speech of Robert j. Walker, then sena
tor on the Texas treaty, delivered in May, 544 would
dsabuse many intelligent and honest citizens OF the rad
cal errors they have fallen into regarding the measures OF
the government towards Mexico, and the necessity OF the
course that has been pursued respecting Texas As the
United States perhaps, indebted to Thomas Jefferson
more than 10 any other individual for the possession of
the States of Louisiana, Arkansas Missouri and terrific
ry westward TO the Rocky Mountains so 1t may be said
without exaggeraon, that if the exerOns OF any one
man contributed more than those OF any other to the
highly important acquisition of Texas that man is Robert
Walker and generations yet unborn may have cause