The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-16

The Senate having under consideration the three mil
lion Appropriation bill
Mr. bAGBI rose and SAID
Mr.. PRESIDENT The events that are passing around
ms and in which daily engaged are full of inter-
est and full of instruction. hope and trust shall be
nnressed with the importance OF the one and endeavor
annv the lessons derived from the other to the benefit
of our common country The immediate question before
the Senate is the amendment of the senator from ich
gan TO the amendment proposed by the senator from Geor
sa mir BERRrN to the bill reported by the chairman of
the Committee on Foreign Relations making further
appropriation, not TO exceed three millions OF dollars, to
bring the existing war with Mexico to speedy and hon
oable conclusion. The amendment OF the senator from
Georgia contains no distinct substantive proposition, but
is apprehend, only intended by the honorable mover to
be explanatory of the object OF the bill, and to dscaim
the idea that, part, the is prosecuted with
view TO conquest the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the republic
of Mexico, or TO the acquisition OF any OF the territory
of Mexico by conquest The amendment OF the senator
from Michigan contains propositions intended to coun-
eract the effects OF the amendment OF the senator from
Georgia and TO leave the government OF the United States
prosecute the war upon such principles and with such
Objects as il may deem wise and proper, untrammeed
by any expression OF opinion part III connexion
with this bill In the remarks design to submit shall
pass the amendments UNNECESSARY and proceed at
once the consideration of the bill The BILL Mr. Pres
ident, simple and direct in Its provisions, and appropn
not exceeding three millions OF dollars for the
purpose of derayng any extraordinary expenses which
may be incurred in bringing the with Mexico to
speedy and honorable conclusion in favor of the
bill Mr. President, ] have been of every measure
having for its object the vigorous prosecution and speedy
termination of this war; and the only regret have felt
is that the President has not called Tor larger means in
men and money and that Congress has not acted with
more prompness and am in favor OF it, ALSO because
have the fullest confidence in the WISDOM sound dis
cretion, and patriotism OF the President, and that he will
apply in manner if he il at all, to promote the
honor and the interest of his country, and render
to Congress, he is required TO do faithful account
of its application. If it cannot be thus applied, 1t
will remain in the treasury. Much good, therefore,
may grow out OF the passage of the BILL while no harm
can possibly result from it. Among the serious oh
lecons urged against the passage of the bill is, that it is
vague and Indefinite and does not specify upon its face
the object to which the money is TO be applied in order
bring the 10 speedy and honorable close In the
present state of the relations between the United States
and Mexico, there are but two modes in which it be
applied to accomplish the object contemplated by
the b-an object Mr. President, not only dear to hui
mainly and all the great interests of Mexico and the
United States, but to mankind in general One is, and in
my opinion the best, by prosecuting the war with in
the only modes. And it is little astonishing that
those who have been most vehement in their denunca
tons OF the war, and shudder at the thought of further
prosecution of it, should be most strenuous in their OPP
position to which, to say the least may be
used to the blessings of peace-used not for the
purpose OF supplying men and arms and all the destruc-
tive implements OF war which the barbarous refnements
OF civilization have brought into use, but which may be
used for the purpose of cuvatng that cherished emblem,
which seems to have such fragrant attractions for certain
senator's the olive branch do not understand this 1t
must be that those who oppose this do for
of three either that they opposed to making
further appropriations to carry on the war; or opposed TO
Z,
so as to bring about peace, or they are unwilling to
conhde so large sum to the discretion of the President
of the United States. | am not at liberty to conclude
that proceeds from an unwiDgness to supply the
cessary of carrying the war; the contrary
bear willing testimony that the Senate has with great
unanimity, voted for all the means asked by the
differed about forms, and modes, and Details and
been little tardy about it, but, upon the whole,
we have done perhaps as well could be expected
1t is also true, sir, that | do not exactly under
stand upon what principle of patriotism morality
senators can vote all the means, in and money,
called for by the Executive to carry this war; and at
the same time denOunce the unconstitutional,
just and unholy IN ITS origin and its objects, and likely to
be fraugh with the most fatal consequences | say
DO not exactly understand this, unless those who OPP
posed to the prosecution of this afraid they
may well be, of the frowns and denunciaons of in
dignant people. There may be something in this But,
eltaned the opinions expressed here in regard to
the nature and character OF this war; than would
open my lips for the purpose of voting dollar to carry
II on, would seal them forever. Sooner let my tongue
ceave to the roof of my mouth than be used for the pur
pose OF advocating measures which my conscience and
my Judgment told me TO be applied to the accom-
pishmen of unjust and unhoy purposes. Sir, shudder
at such morality as this and no affection of patriotism
love OF country hide It's deormlty Nor there any
soundness in the distinction attempted TO be drawn on
former day, by the senator from North Carolina, MIR
MANGuM The honorable senator was pleased to re-
mind that did not take consideration the distinc
ton between the injustice of the in its origin, and
The necessity OF carrying on after it was begun. The
distinction taken by the senator from North Carolina is
cation of it; admit that if had unjustly on our
part, brought into the bosom of country,
duty and patriotism would require to every
Tor the protection OF our soil and resides and to expe
ana drive out the enemy, matter how unjustly we
might have provoked him to make the assault upon
But that distinction cannot apply TO foreign war, carried
on by us IN foreign country So the SENATOR and those
VINO think and act with him, cannot escape upon this
point If the war rs unjust part, ought to
abandon it Immediately, and adopt the course indicated
by the resolutions OF the senator from New HAMPSHIRE
lNir CHLEY.l Every hour you continue it you aggra-
Vate the enormty of the injustice of its commencement if
unjust 1t was IN the beginning Ii is either right
wrong. Believing it to be righteous war on our part
am tor prosecuting 1T with all possible vigor And re-
peat that there is course, founded in Justice morality
and national honor Tor those TO pursue who consider it
an unjust war, but to advocate its immediate abandon
ment Turn it they may TO this complex on it must
come at last, if their views be correct
But there seems to be vague and underlined sort of
apprehension and secret dread that may acquire some
territory IN the prosecution OF this and if should
we are asked what shall we do with liz II seems TO be
understood that this government of ours upon which we
near so many rhapsodes pronounced when il suits the
purposes OF senators TO pronounce them, and have
doubt they are sincere and know them to be just is
great big, awkward good -natured of thing but
utterly destitute of the faculties and the capacity which
are indispensable TO its efficiency.
And thus, although we have the power to make war,
and TO resist when Is made upon us, as it has
been by Mexico, that have no power no author
n.y. no capacity to avail ourselves of the Incidents
and the results, and the fruits of You will recol-
Iect, MIR. President, that on former day. when was
speaking IN terms of disapprobaton of the capuaton of
Monterey, because the Mexican army was not compelled
10 surrender Internationally, instead of capturing the
army, as ] think, and shall never cease to think, we
ought to have done my honorable friend from Delaware
INT }. M. CLAYTON asked me what would have done
with them told him at the time would have deprived
them OF their arms and paroled them | believe upon
ehecton would have put them TO making road 10 the
city of Mexico And have an answer equally exnl;cit
at do,