Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-27

Mr. President il not due ourselves to the lofty cha
acter Tor peace us well as Pobiiy which profess be
ours, and which ul recently might justly claim-was
not due to the civilization OF the age that We the
ves of the States and the People, should have set forth the
which might mpe invoke the fatal arbu amen
OF war; before madly rushed upon il Evenhe Senator
from South Carolina attached he has by party ties
the President and therefore, may suppose acquainted
with his motives for his with Mexico was compelled to
say the other day IN debate that up that hour the
OF this left conjecture. The reason of this snpu-
lar anomaly be found in the fact that the President
and not Congress declared and commenced this war; How
this Mr.. President How is that we have so disap-
pointed the intentions of fathers, and the hopes OF all the
trends OF written constitutions When the makers of that
constitution assigned Congress alone the most delicate and
important powe-to declare power intimately
affecting the interests immediate and remote of the people
man any which Government is ever called to
when they withheld this great prerogave from the Executive
and conhded TO Congress aone they but consulted this
in every other work of their hands, the gathered wisdom
all preceding times Whether they looked the stern des
potsms OF the ancient Asatc world or the military yoke Of
imperial Rome the feuda institutions of the middle ages
or the modern monarchies Of Europe in each and all of
these, the power to wage was held by by a
lew, used to sacrifice, not protect the many
The caprice ambition of the yrant had always been the
cause Of bloody and wasting war, while the subject millions
had been treated by their remosess masters only tools
in the hands of him who knew how to them" They
therefore declared that this fearful power should be con6ded
TO those who represent the people, and those who here the
Senate represent the Sovereign States Of the Republic After
securing this power to Congress, they thought safe to give
the command Of the armies peace and the President
We shall hereafter how, by abuse of his power
manderinchef the President has drawn himself that of
declaring commencing hosties with people with
whom we were on terms OF peace, which is substantially the
same.
The of former times took very good care that your
standing army should be exceedingly small and they who had
the most lively apprehensions of investing in the
power TO command the army always nculcaed upon the
minds OF the people the necessity Of keeping that within
limits just small the necessity of the external relations
or the country would possibly admit II has happened Mr.
PRESIDENT that when little disturbance your Indian from
e took place. Congress invoked for increase of your
military force. Gentlemen here who had seen partial
service in the armies of the UnitedStaes They tell you that
he militia of the country not be relied upon-hat il is
'ny the regular Of the United States that YOU are TO
IND men competent to fight the battles of the country and
rom time to time when that necessity has seemed to arise
ogetng this old doctrine that large standing army in time
peace was always dangerous to human liberty have in
reased that army from six thousand about sixteen thou
and men, Mr. President the other day gave ten regi
nents more and for not giving within the quick time
handed by MASTER the commander inche some
know not who for have not looked into this matter until
his notwithstanding upon the y blown remnants that fall
rom the Executive shambes and lie purifying there has de-
ounced us as Mexcans and called the American Republic
take notice that there in the Senate BODY of men
hargeabe with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. in heart-raors to the
United States.
trust Mr. President that our master will be appeased BY
ne facility with which, Immediately after that rebuke of his
lnon the Senate acted upon the bill and gave him the
'hch ne required. trust that he will forget that law
which, commanderin-chief of the army of the United
states and President of this great North American Republc
n the time being he promulgated in the message and
hose commands which he pleased deliver the open
OF this session his faithful and humble servitors in both
ranches OF the American Congress- admonishng
'ould be considered giving aid and comfort 10 his enc
lynot lis-if one word should be said unfvorabe
the motives which have brought the royal will to the con-
fusion that be would pecpate this Republic into war with
lexco trust his Majesty in consideration of faithful
IN augmentng the forces Of the Republic agreeaby
ne commands which have he
e induced TO relax little when he to execute that law
treason upon one at least so humble myself do re-
MEMBER Mr. Presidenyouw will remember, Mr. President
our recollection OF history will furnish you with which
WILL think, operate in my favor in question Of that sort
Some time in the history of the royal Tudors in England
when poor Engishman, for differing from his Majesty or
be hanged and she Hs
If special grace particular where penitence was ex
PRESSED the hangman admonshed give the cupr time
choke before ne began chop his limbs and take out his
bowels
Now Mr. President, have already stated that do not
intend to occupy the Senate with discussion of those vae
les OF topics which naturally enforce themselves upon my
ention IN considering this subject Ii have occurred
very body how utterly mpoept the Congress of the United
States no for purpose whatever but that yielding to
he President every demand which he makes for and
ley, unless they that only position which is e-tha
which IN the history Of other countes in times favorable to
human liberty, has been often resoed check upon
arbitrary money, and refusing grant the
services of when demanded for purposes which
When review the doctrines of the majority here and con-
der their application the existing war; confess am at
to determine whether the world consider conduct
ridiculous farce be lost such absurty
people calling themselves Free The President without
asking the consent OF Congress, involves war; and
ony here, without reference to the justice necessity Of the
var calls upon US TO grant and money the pleasure the
President who they say charged with the duty carry
ng on the war and responsible for its result II grant the
means thus demanded the President carry this
var for any end, from any motive, without limit Of time or
,lace.
With these doctrines for our guide will thank any Sena
or to furnish me with any of escaping from the prose
luton OF this or any other war; for hundred years come
please the President who shall be to continue il so long
me, ye who contend that being ia war; duty demands Of
Congress for Its prosecution all the money ard every able
bodied man in America to carry if eed be-who also
contend that the right of the Presde without the con-
troll of Congress- to march your embodied hosts to Monterey
10 Yucaan TO Mexico, Panama. to China and that under
penalty of death TO the officer who dsobeys hn-tell me-
demand OF you, tell me- tell the American people, tell the
nations OF Chsendom what is the difference between your
American democracy and the odious most hateful des
potlsm that mercu God has ever allowed nation to be
anlcted with since government earth began You may
cay TINS free government but is such freedom and other
as OF old was established at Babylon Susa Bacrana
or Persepos It's parallel scarcely be found when thus
falsely understood in any the OF civil poty
IN modern times Sir, such not your constitu
II Is something else something other and better than this
nave looked at this subject with the painful endeavo to
come 70 The conclusion, possible that il my duty as
senator OF the United States finding the country in war; to
in Tho