The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-24

the importance of early action upon it." The Committee
OF Foreign Relations has considered the
and through their chairman, reported this bill, giving II
their APPRECIATION and the chairman himself, with that
| frankness which emneny chaacterzes hun, IN 4
lucid speech, fully explained ITS objects
From all this, Mr.. President am willing to believe
that the President is of opinion, founded upon nforma
ton to which cannot have access that with this mo-
ney-in degree however, relaxing military opera
tions-he can procure favorable treaty OF peace, linn
its, and boundary with Mexco and to the extent OF my
vote, sir, he shall have it and would submit to honora
BILE senators both sides OF the chamber whether 1t Is
wise, if be good policy to refuse this appropriation
Suppose it should be refused, and the war pro-
tracted for years, do not you, who oppose the
appropriation put in the power OF the President to say
IL II you had voted me this money, could very soon
have terminated the war, and ! SO informed your DO
YOU then, take the responsibility of the continuance OF
The war; do you not needessy the hazard OF such
position 1t TO me- sir that all those who SIN
cerey desire peace cannot excuse themselves IN voting
against this bill, unrammeed with any provisos-dls-
closing il does accompanied by the messages OF the
President that its object peace and the adjustment OF
boundary to be obtained by cession OF territory by
Mexico, for which an equivalent is to be paid
Bnt the senator from Rhode Island Mr. SIMMONS, who
addressed us the other day. says he would vote for the
bill if he did not think there something equyoca in
millions for defence, but did not like the idea OF buying
peace; and to pay money nation that owed us large
| sums, he declared to be ridiculous.
/ Sir, / have very different view There is nothing
equvocal in the proposhonno mischief concealed under
the verbiage OF the bnothng that can subject US to
rdcule or reproach-nothing but full recompense to
10 include line OF boundary, safe and convenient Tor
both parties. The whole proposition is based upon an
enlightened craftsmanship high patriotism, and most
commendable justice and humanity and SUCH il will
be regarded by the American people and the world to
whom the whole transaction is fully revealed. Nothing
like it. sir has occurred in history; the cited
(of 1903 and s06) not precedents, for were then
in amity with France and Spain This proposition
! is made to an enemy in arms against us, by a
powerful naon-a victor in every field, and with I'M
limited resources-to feeble foe, in exhausted and
dsheartened condition, and beaten In every encounter
and affords the highest and most conclusive evidence OF
the sincere desire OF government Tor peace and al
though Mexico owes us indemnity, there nothing in
consistent in this offer of money to her. TO place her IN
condition by which that can also be obtained. All who
have paid attention to Mexican history, Mr. Presl-
dent must have perceived that the army and the priest
hood the controlling powers there that she Is torn by
discussions and rival factions, and has been subject to
seventeen revolutions in the rs years OF her national ex
isence-he army always causing them, and always pa
cling in power the person most acceptable to It, That is hel
condition now and the Executive, doubt, sees In
favorable moment, with our army IN her country, and
fleets blockading her ports with the additional means
asked for, to obtain peace No one faction IN Mexico
strong enough to take the responsibility OF such an act
but by aid party may be made and their con-
sution OF 1924 re-established and permanent peace
gained Having full confidence that the Executive sees
his way clear in this matter willing to trust It to
him. and, il successful, he will be entitled to the highest
/ commend aton.
Thus much, sir, in regard to the bill. say nothing
of the amendments proposed as do not intend to vote
for either and against the bill itself should the
one proposed by the senator of Georgia Mr.. BERREN]
be adopted wish the proposition to stand OF tall by IT.
SELF clear OF every proviso and upon its own intrinsic
merits so that the responsibility OF its rejection may
il il be rejected, where it ought to rest
Having considered Mr. President, the origin and object
OF the BILL 1t becomes necessary to examine. somewhat
in detail into the origin of the war this bill sdeslgned
to terminate and, in performing this part OF my duty dc
not so much intend to reply to the several senator's WING
have preceded the debate to give my views
on that point, formed from examination OF the docu
ments transmitted to us al various times by the Execu
Mr. President, this war has been denounced not only
in this chamber but by party press in different parts Of
the Union, Executive presidential war
and Without Without sufficient cause so Sir the war Of sa
was denounced Mr.. Madisons war;" and the judg-
ment OF Heaven invoked against him and those who sls
tanned him it. Every effort made to obstruct the
action of the government in its successful prosecution
supplies were attempted to be whhed-and 1t was
soemnly decared by legislative assembly OF one OF the
moral and religious people TO rejoice over the victories OBJ
tanned by our arms" Provisions and munitions OF wal
were furnished the enemylghts were kindled to lead
them to coastthe influence of the party in opposi-
ton eXered TO prevent capitalists from loaning
money TO the governmenand treason plotted by pro,
the war only prevented Sir, the recollection OF the
of that day awakens the most poignant regrets
that American citizens could be found so to have acted
at such time, and the condemnation by which they
have been visited by the American people should be
warning those who led on by party spirit and blinded
by party ZEAL may commit the great error not to
say crime, at tins similar Crisis in our history.
But, sir the war the act of the Executive. II is
the act OF Mexico alone and placed by her. not on the
ground senators have assumed-the movement OF the
army of occupation to the Rio Grande by the order oil
the President-but upon her avowed determination to
Texas, If the measure OF annexation was con-
summated. For proof of this, sir call the attention Of
the Senate to short extracts from the letter OF nj
Bocanegra the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to
our minister, Mr.. Thompson, dated National Palace
Mexico, August 23d, 1si3
although his exceency the President hopes tha
an authority 50 crcumspect Uhe American Congfess)
will defeat design 50 nnlusI, ana an attack SO a., Se
territory, he has ordered the undersigned declare
to the Hon Waddy Thompson, with the view that he
ment will consider equivalent TO declaration o. 1t
Against the Mexican republic the passage of Tor the
incorporation Of Texas with the territory OF The United
mediate procllnatton Of tcr Leaving to the civilized world
to determine with egard the justice of the Of the
Mexican nation in struggle which il has been 50 far from
provoking"
| Again he says
ellis excellency the Provisional President resting tht
deep conviction, obliged prevent aggression,
precedented in the annals of the world, from being con
summaed and II be indispensable for the Mexican ma
ton to seek security for its rights at the expense OF the DIS
asers of it win call upon God, and rely its eff
forts for the defence of its Just cause"
Here see, sir, the solemn declaration of Mexico
that the certainty of the fact of annexation will be sufh
cient for the immediate proclamation of trnr and that
will be considered equivalent to declaration of by
the United States against the Mexican republic and she
will seek security for its rights at the expense of the dis
asters of war
After tart reply from our minister, Mr. Bocanegra
in his lear of September 1913, says
How 1t be considered strange and of the way
that Mexico, under such supposon, should announce
that she VIII regard the annexation of Texas act OF
declaration OF war Mexico therefore, does threaten
and still less does she provoke and what she
that which cannot be denied hertha she will regard
the of Texas to the United States hostile
,ct his invDl aioasf