The North-Carolina standard., 1847-02-24

Inize her independence. if she would refuse all
connection with our government. Ii was then
that the attention of President TyIer was called 10
the importance of the subject. He moved at once
in the matter; and with the aid of the democratic
party, the cunning devices and intrigues of old
England were defeated, and this vital and import
ant acquisition was made to the United States
Texas was solemnly, by due constitutional author
lty incorporated as State of the North American
UnIon with the Rio del Norte as the true boundary.
Mr. Speaker as soon as the Mexican Minister
Gen. Aimonte perceived that the intrigues of
crowned heads had been defeated, he entered
solemn protest in the name of his government
against the annexation asked his passports, ter
minated his mission, and left the country. In
mediately the Government of Mexico withdrew
her Consuls from our ports, and refused TO have
any further intercourse with the United States
Government She became deeply exasperated,
and resolved upon an invasion of Texas. She
commenced raising "A large army TO carry this
resolution into effect. Texas was then State of
this Union. She appealed as she had The right to
do, to the President of the United States the head
of the naval and military force of the country, co
interpose on her frontier border such a force as
would protect her from invasion. ~
The President promptly as he was bound by
his oath and official duty, sent an army headed by
a distinguished General, west Of the Ncuces to
act as an army of observation. He sent fleet
into the Gulf of Mexico, and one to the Pacific
ocean, to guard our interests in that quarter
They merely fleets of observation, with
large powers to act if our rights were invaded
1t soon became apparent that Mexico intended
to invade Texas. Corpus Christi being too re-
mote from the threatened point ofainvasion, the
President ordered Gen. Taylor with his army 10
advance to the Rio Grande, and to station it oppo-
site TO the Mexican town of Matamorae. This
order was promptly obeyed, and Gen. Taylor
posted his army at the point designated The
wisdom of this course became evident, for
the Mexcans were assembled in great force on
the south bank of the Rio Grande. The Amcri
can Commander sent over the river Distinguish
ed American Officer, under a flag 20 inform the
Commander of the Mexican forces, that the army
was not there for the purpose of hosliIiles but as
an army of observation. To this polite and pa
cifc note, the American General received in
ply, that if he did not break up his cncampment
and fall back cast of the Neuccs he would attack
him in full force. With this understanding the
Mexcans cross over the river TO the American
side, and attack the encampmcnt of Gen. Taylor
situate on our own soil. simultaneously fhey has
ten TO Poin, Isabell, and attack troops in full
force they were beaten, and driven back 10 their
own side Of the river.
Mr.. Speaker, have thus endeavorcd to give
short history of the causes that produced our pre-
sent war with Mexico When hosililies com
menced, was Texas a Stale of the American
Union2 No one will deny this proposition. Was
Gen. Taylor on soil claimed by the United States
when attacked by the enemy, and known to the
Government of Mexico TO be so clamed2 This
must also be conceded. The President had peace-
fully in good faith, offered TO treat on the question
of boundary The Mexican government had
promptly and Extensively refused all ovcrtures Of
peace But, sir, it is said that the Executive is to
blame for the war. If so, demand 10 know in
l. l-..1 .,k11
Army 10 have remained at the Neuccs and suffer-
ed the people of Texas to have been overrun
by an exasperaed savage foe2 Should he have
broken up our encampment opposite Ma.amoras
at the command OF the Mexican General, and
fallen back north of the Neuccs, and left an open
field 10 savage and barbaIious Vandals TO slut
their revenge upon our innocent and unofcnding
countrymen2 You may take either horn of the
dilemma, and you will fail to prove your charge,
that exists by The action of the Executive.
Mr.. Speaker, this is not the first time in the
history Of our country when we have had party
opposed to war. In our last strueg lewith Great
Britain, when foreign army was landing on
our coast, and the Republican,. party was sustain
ing the honor and character of the nation, there
was found class of men who burnt blue lights,
and refused 10 sustain the flag of their country
who assembled in the old Hartford Convention
under the silence of midnight plotting treason
against their government. Sir, this is not the first
investment that has been made in political party
Bank. The old blue light Federal Bank Of 1912
was founded on just this sort of capital; Josiah
Quincy was President of the Bank, and Daniel
Webster, Rufus King, and others were directors.
Able officers, notwithstanding which, the scheme
failed, and blue light Federal Bank and Nick
Biddle both died, the former in its childhood-lhe
latter in advanced life of that slow and certain dis
ease Marasmus.
From the character of this Infamous. Mexican
preamble and the pertinacity and obstinacy mani
fesled by political opponents in adhering
10 its present form, and rejecting all and every
modification of it, l fear that they propose to
make new and enlarged edition of Wing capi-
tai in war or Mexican stocks. If that is your
purpose, l will apprise gentlemen that will not
subscribe, as it is certain TO be bad investment.
But, if not political capital, what else does the
patty expect to accomplish by this preamble2 Is
this your mode of aiding those patriotic and gal
liant spirits who have stepped forward to fight the
battles oftheir country in foreign land 2 Where
are they now2 Are they not assembling in their
different counties, preparing to leave their homes
for the theatre of war2 Do you not expect to see
among them many whose lot has been cast in
poverlyi Perhaps, this day, hundreds of them
turning their faces to this capitol, hoping and ex
pecling at our hands a generous return to their
call for immediate aid. Many Of them without
hats, coats and blankets, to protect them from the
pehugs of wiplry storm. l call upon the ma
jority of this house TO say whether they appreciate
the gaIIantry of these poor men. If they do,
beseech them 10 forget party, and join and my
DoItcal friends i'm prompt action for their relief |