The North-Carolina standard., 1847-02-24
SPEECH OF MIR. SMITH,

SPEECf1 OE N1 6o SMITH,
OF ORANGE,
Delivered in the House of Commons of the Gen
craI Assembly of North Carolina, January 9Th,
l847-On the subject Of appropriating $4,000
for the North Carolina Regiment for the prose-
culion of the Mexican war.
Mr. SPEAKER: The subject now under discus
sion IS one of great and vital importance as it is
50 deeply connected with the honor and character
of our State and that responsibility we owe 70
common constituents. l rse therefore, for the
purpose of expressing my cordial and hearty aP-
probation of the very proper and praIseWorthy
resolution upon your table for the aid and support
Of our Volunteers for the Mexican war, and to
enter my unqualified disapprobaton OF the first
clause of the Preamble" Whereas, By the acLion
of the Erecutire and The subsequent sanction of
Congress, the Republic is engaged in foreign
war, and our State is called upon for volunteers"
confess my astonishment at this wanton and
uncalled for attack upon the President of the U.
States and have waited patiently to hear some
arguments adduced and reasons assigned for so
extraordinary a course. Gentlemen have indeed,
essayed 10 perform the task, and with ability have
conducted the prosecution; but they have utterly
and signally failed to prove any of the counts in
their Indictment
Why is it, sir, the preamble begins with a
charge, by innuendo, that our country is in the
wrong, and that the awful responsibilities of war,
with all its horrors and calamities, rests on the
person of the Executive of the United States
Will our constituents expect and require of us,
this day, 10 be engaged in discussing vague and
abstract speculatons as TO the causes which pro-
duced this war or do they not rather expect that
we are acting boldly and promptly in giving I" aid
and comfort" not 10 the Mexican republic but to
our brave and generous sons who are now volun-
tarily going to bear all the periis of the ocean.
the camp, and the field, to maintain the honor and
glory of their country in foreign land, against a
barbarous, faithless, and per6dious foe2
Have you any warrant from the people OF
North Carolina to compromit her noble and gen
erous character in the eyes of the world, by piac-
ing her in false posItion-as unfrlendly 10 the
existing war, and sympathizing with public
enemY2 Have the other States of the Union ac-
companied the bounty to their sons with such pal
try and degrading party Qualifications 1t is ma
taraI that men should disagree in opinion in mat
ters OF State, as we'll every thing connected with
human action. Parties have existed In this re-
public, and will continue TO exist to the end of
time. 1t is in some degree a natural element of
free government. 1t is upon their acting and
countrracling influence that perfect cquIpoise
and balance of power will be maintained, and our
free form of government perpetualed. But our
observation will prove to US that circumstances
will sometimes arise which will imperiousIy re-
quire Of every friend of his country to sacrifice his
own personal preferences and opinions on the altar
of PATRIOTISM l contend, therefore, that the pres
cn war with Mexico is one OF those great and i'm
poran events which demands of every man who
owes allegiance to these States, and receives pro-
tccon in return from them, to surrender his party
feelings and come TO the rescue of his beloved
country | SHALL therefore, hold the majority
here responsible for every obstacle they may In
terpose 10 the free prompt, and decisive action of
this House this measure so just and proper, for
the aid and comfort Of our gallant young men who
are making such sacrifices for the honor and glo-
ry of their country. 1t is true, sir your resolution
proposes to appropriate small amount OF money
for The relief of the volunteers but the generosity
Of the act is blurred and stained, by the grudgihg
and grumbng manner Of the donors l appeal
10 the dominant party in this House, to pause and
reflect in their mad and unpatrlotic career L
know that they feel deeply incensed and cherish
a spirit of revenge and hatred 10 the President,
because in his last annual message to Congress,
he declared TO The leaders of their party that
course precisely such as a majority of this House
propose to adopt was calculated 10 "giVe aid ard
comfort 10 the enemy"
Mr. Speaker, it would be an idle and useless
consumption of the time of this House, to enter
into an elaborate and detailed review of the many
causes of complaint which this country has suffer
ed at the hands of Mexico, of the long catalogue
otaggressons and insults which she has heaPed
upon US; of her open and fragrant violations of
our treaty stipulations; of her murder, robbery,
and Imprisonment of our countrymen. These re-
peated injuries have been borne with christian
torbearance, with the hope that the day was not
distant when the necessary reparatfon would be
made 1t has been the characteristic OF our coun-
Try 10 be magnanimous in her intercourse with
foreign nations; to cultivate with them the rela-
lions of peace, when it could be done without
sacrifice Of the national honor. But sir, owing
10 the weak and distracted condition of Mexico,
and her want of the necessary means and re-
sources to contend with country, she has been
permitted to pursue course of policy towards US
mat has weakened her respect for our government
and produced that proud, arrogant, and insulting
lone of conduct that became so offensive to our
people, and which can no longer be brooked with
patience
Why, sir, in the administration of Gen. Jack
son he brought this subject to the attention Of Con-
gfess IN special message, in which he declared
'aot the wanton character Of some of the out