The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-03
[Coatnued from yesterdays " Un,on."l
THREE MILLION BILL.

IJinr thereto the "WILMOr proviso,"
Mr. DICKINSON said MIR. President, have been
,raned from taking part in this widely extended de
hate principally by OF personal and domestic
character but the amendment offered by the senator
from Vermont, Mr. UPHAM,] and upon which | am
led 10 vote induces to offer briefly the for
the course intend to pursue concerning it, shall not
tend nv remarks further than deem necessary TO present
his single question fully and fairly That engaged
IN stale of war--a condition of things, under the most
f,voabe circumstances highly embarrassing and calan-
,ous-is conceded BY ALL How it originated, is matter
Of history well and truly presented by the President in
his annual message 10 Congress- How II can be most
successfully and vigorously prosecuted so ong its
FINANCE necessaryhow Its evils can be best averted,
and what best calculated to insure an early
and honorable termination, are Questions which recon-
mend themselves the proloundes consideration OF the
uhanthropist and statesman The prosecution of this
war has been approved by the popular judgments and
while peace earnestly desired, and would be hailed as
there is disposition among the masses to
Weld TO the dictates OF spurious benevoence,
or the erros OF unmanly lear. The Official history OF
this from the day was recognised by Congress- and
the legislation concerning it, are both interesting and
profitable Whoever will consult the congressional rec
ods will learn that the nth day of May last the Pres
dent in special message sent TO both houses OF Con-
gess touching the state OF relations with Mexico, de-
cared that exists, and, notwithstanding all our
efforts avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we
are called upon by every consideration OF duty and par
osn TO vndcae with decision the honor the rights, and
the interests OF country" On the following day a
law was enacted by Congress- entitled An act to provide
for the prosecution of the existing war between the Uni
Ted States and the republic OF MeXico' which act con-
lains preamble rccng that '.by the act OF Mexico
state OF exists between that government and the UNI
ted States" This act appropriated ten millions OF dollars
for the prosecution OF the placed at the disposal
Of the Executive the naval and military forces of the
country and authorized the employment OF fifty thousand
volunteers 1t became law by the strong vote OF la to
the House of Representatives and of 40 to IN the
Senate This the response of Congress to the par
otto impulses of the country before chances had been cal
cuaed, the warm gush OF American feeling had been
chilled by the influences OF mere partisan strife need
not here speak OF the aacry with which our sons rush
ed the standard of their country, of the mpersha
Bile laurels they have Won Nor will l pause to COM
mend the vao of those brave spirits who led on our VIC
orous host, pay the sacred tribute of tear to the
memory OF those who fell in their country's cause All
written IN the hearts or a generous and CRATE
full people who will alike honor and reward the
living and cherish through all time the venerated
memory of the dead In every conflict our arms
have been most sgnay triumphant against vastly supe-
orce under circumstances, too, which have not only
inspired the most lively enthusiasm at home but have
wruns unwilling admiration from the great rival powers
of the world Nine months have scarcely elapsed, and
have conquered than onehaf of the territory OF
her republic including of her strongest fortresses
and subjected to the rule OF our arms upwards OF mil
lion Of her people If there is any thing more strong
indicated by public opinion than another, touching the
question OF this war; il is that during ITS existence, IT
should be prosecuted with decided vigor and that not
only should physical power present unbroken
front, but that the moral energies of this mighty people
be thrown, as if by one voice, into the scale however
calamity is upon us, it is demanded alike by benevoence
and patriotism that it be pressed forward to early ter
mination. Who ever supposes that our country is
either unable or unwilling to prosecute this war is
the victim OF delusion from which he will, sooner
later, find himself relieved by evidence clear and
unequvocal The spirit OF our people IS peace, but
by dshonor nor invoked by disgraceful retreat.
Our country is neither weak, tnid nor penuous and
although she MAINTAINS no overgrown forces OF men and
materle in commission to eat out her substance in a
hoe Mt hfslct
Jul conflict with the greatest powers of the world and
IN the present contest, without arousng her energies,
too she plant her standard the halls of the Mon
ezunas with hand, and with the other, from the lap
Of her abundance, feed and from starvation the
dying and abect children of the poudes and haughtest
government of earth. If offers of peace continue TO
be spuned by this fractions and supercous people, there
but one left, and that is to press forward and
make them fell that is to them what it is to all civ
lzed natons-a scourge. Could this mbecie, demented
nation which to call republic is misnomer see that
. we were united--that we had drawn the sword and
thrown away the scabbard and that she had no further
hope from domestic divslons-she would in some
lucid interval consent TO honorable negotiation and
whatever Congress may do or say she may as well un
desand first as last that this great question will be con-
Folled by the upheavngs OF the popular WILL and that
h petty and vagrant power will be humbed and her III
SHALL under any petence or for any purpose whatever
however artfully contrived specous its covering,
array array, himself against the popular Judgment he ne
stool of repentance hitherto reserved exclusively
Tor those who resisted their country in the war of
lSl2 The object of our government from the be-
ginning has been pacific and her conduct conciliaory
She has desired peace and Justice and not havoc and
quest On the 9th of July last while the echong sound
o. our victorious yet ringing in our ears the
President again extended to this captious and Wanting
government the thrice rejected olive branch lie proposed
| me renewal OF negotiations by sending minister to
| Mexico, but added:
1.-THE Mexican should prefer to send min
er to Washington conduct the negotiation here, he
shall be received with kindness aud respect and every eff
lot shall be made accomplish the object of his mission
/ WIN the least possible delay.
In the present communication it is deemed useless, and
night prove injurious, discuss the causes of the existing
war This might tend delay or defeat the restoration OF
aee The past already consigned to history the FUTURE
| under Providence, is within our own power.
The occasion may, however be embraced to state that
e President has cherished the kdest feelings for
exico, and that one OF the first wishes of his heart that
She may be powerful and prosperous republic n peret-
( ua amity with tue United States"
This communication, couched in terms of respect and
Kindness, and breathing spirit of peace, was treated
win neglect If not contempt, and lent virus TO their
blind and barbarian fury-they believing, or affecting ia
/ believe il was dictated in spirit of tmidy On the lh
OF August lastthe 10th being the day liked Tor the ad
lounmen of Congress-the President, by confidential
message advised the Senate hat he proposed the renewal
| Of negotiations, and recommended that sum OF money
be placed under his control for the and purposes
! stated IN the message as follows:
The chefdiIiculty be anticipated in the negotiation
the adjustment of the boundary between The parties, by
@ which shall be satisfactory and convenient
pom, and such neither viii hereafter be inclined to dis
0 ms Is the best mode of securing perpetual peace
ana good neghborhood between the republics Should
NE Mexican government in order 10 sh thes, oh.
Nnled States ought to pay them fair equivalent
s aud honorable peace, and not conquest, being pur
i pose M the prosecution OF the
Under these circumstances, and considering the ex.
haued and distracted condition of the Mexican republic
'noud have It in my power advance portion OF tho
ohsdeaton money for any cession of territory which may