Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-03-06
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20.

IS,
make observations reference general tenor of
the proposition before the Senate The bill had been so
long under discussion that the which had been brought
up in connexlon with during that discussion had become
important than the bill itself and were it not for the
clear and distinct which the subject was announced
every morning by the Vice President they would be in dan
forgetting the question that Immediately before them
The immediate question he understood To be upon tile amend
ment offered by the Senator from Michigan the amendment
of the Senator from Georgia He would merely make one re
mark in reference to the amendment of the Senator from Mi
chgan, and was, that that amendment seemed TO him 10
conflict with the general purposes OF the bill ITSELF he u
dersood those purposes, and they explained by the
Senator from Arkansas who introduced the BILL Ii was bill
providing the for bringing the with Mexico to
speedy and honorable conclusion and, according Sena
tor from Arkansas the money intended appropriated by
was 10 dispose the hearts OF the people of Mexico peace
The amendment ol the Senator from Michigan introduced
with the old label upon it, that this was commenced by
Mexico. This phrase was becoming customary as the
words per the days of President Tyler He was
IN favor OF the amendment proposed by from eo
because he thought contained something that was ger
main to the bill itself 1t calculated reconcile and an
pease the minds OF the people of Mexico for it with
declaration that the not prosecuted with to
conquest.
Mr. s. then proceeded make some remarks concerning
the character OF the II had been suggested he said
that they ought to and make all the appropriations and
vote all the supplies that necessary for the of
the war, reservng the consideration the responsibility Of
the President and the proPety OF bis conduct the matter
until some convenient time. This appeared to him he
convenient time any that they would have offer any
suggestions which Senators might choose ieence
TO the matter
There had been great deal said both side reference
to the character OF this war; origin and its purposes The
Senator from Alabama seemed be of tb> opinion that the
character OF The war would be hen determined by
the character of the winch produced IT,
In this the Senator extnt correct The Senator
had proceeded he understood hm to assign the
ton OF Texas as the principal "ose Of TIE war; anu proceed
ed to that the annexaon OF Texas was UNJUST anu I'M
holy (to his language then The war with Mexico
was unjust and qnholy 10.
Mr. BAGBY said tie Senator correct in regard what
he had said except mis- that the words unjust and unhoy
were applied 10 thp long before he had entered
discussion. [
Mr. SIMMONS proceeded. He supposed the Senator n
would ADM, that if the unhoy and unjust be ought
or any that intended 10 support such
war He asked the Senator to recolect very able and II
ocSe speech which he had delivered the when the
OF Texas proposed by Joint resolution and 10
recoect that he had land down the ceares proposition
that the of Texas by Joint resolution
was unconstitutional The course which the Senator propo
ed to take that avoid the dilemma of adopting
unconstitutional mode OF acquiring territory BY making Il
Executive instead of a Legislative act Annexa ton n
loweser took place by Joint resolutions and he could
the Senator from Alabama under such circumstances
oud vote of any measure for carrying the He
ot disposed hold the President responsible for the opinions
Senators in respect the justice injustice of the
only asked the Senate examine what the President him
eli stated as to the character Of these proceedings which
lad been insisted would eventually lead to war. Mr. S.
uoted from the message of the President o
1t was not his purpose to any harsh expressions in
the conduct of the Executive but he must be per-
ne that the President had in error in the course
which he had pursued regard this business of marching
he 10 the Rio Grande and that he had been su
leny explicit IN his communications to Congress He
onstEaned to that looking the documents which
lad been laid before Congress- there did appear that de-
Of Iankness which necessary to enable them to
ermne what the President intended proposition de-
ated last for three MONTHS and the end of that time
Senator in his place and declared that there no
uch thing in the upon which the debate
ID This was very much the present. II EVIL
lent from the reading Of the Presidents message that the
LIST OF December 1875 he regarded valley the Nueces
the frontier OF Mexico The marching Of the troops them
the Rio Grande clearly entering, according the Pes
dent the of Mexico He (Mr s. had
voted for the bill recognising the without having had
to look into these matters for he DESTROYS of
the safety Of the army than he nquirng into the
which led that army ntois dangerous position There
could be doubt however that the of the troops
ordered by he President produced the collision which took
place between army and the Mexican army. He believ
ed the removing Of the army great mistake use
hasher term the pa OF the President pending attempt
negotiations with proud and sensitive Government
such that OF Mexico wrhng under what they supposed
the infection Of injuries part II would bave been
in accordance with the duties OF the President the
remain the frontier OF Texas until he had consult
cd Congress upon the subject.
Mr.. s. proceeded consider the objects Of the war
He had understood the Senator from Arkansas the other day
TO that this appropriation asked for with ac
curing territory by of indemnity for the expenses Of the
war II 1t were measure, then, taking the grounds which
the President had rested the Of this war; taking
also the ground which the Senator from Arkansas had
placed this measure, OF obtaining indemnity for
the expenses of the the singular proposition
he had heard made deberative assembly, II was
proposition to pay money those from whom expected
receive payment by way of indemnify There no
way OF accounting for appropriation like this than sup
that be made of the money Of an extra
ordinary character II be made for the pur-
pose oil inducing enemies make peace with u.s. he
entirely opposed TO 1t. He unwilling take from
Mexico loot oil her territory by Of indemnity for the
penses OF this he would authorize privaeerng
ne proposition to pay money to those from whom
Peced payment was entirely econcable with his ideas Of
what was right II they going purchase territory,
hey ought 10 do II openly and fairly appropriate money
y buy peace The quarrel ought be settled might
have been when begun. He for holding those
who commenced this of responsible
MS territory which was proposed acquire from Mexico
was not 80 exceedingly desirable, he thought We not
so much pressed for make "A duty on the part Of
this Government to Gust others OF their possession
enable us to obtain territory, and, least of ALL make the
duty oil THIS government TO heavy expenses for pur
pose OF obtaining territory He feared they laying the
groundwork oil debt that would become ultimately greater
lhan the debt Of Great Britain He opposed entering
upon quNotc expedition which would lead burdenng the
country with aNaton and that for the ACQUISITION Of territory
that was not worth having
fhey had Just finished dschagng the debt incurred by the
Nvuunnnry and they now getting W another
- "ouii take them as long opay they had been pay
wy " hry talked about the prosperity of this country
w V'u'' now pursued not calculated increase that
Fi''y on tho contrary, il would oyerwhem them with
~ Every war. however Just, was always at
i"' ui'a rous consequences, dcnurazDg the comm,i-
Inc industry and Independence of the people