The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-03-04
CHE Dattp Spp.
MR.. HUDsoN's SPEECH.
ORCEST r.:
THURSDAY, MARCH 4. 1847
From the Boston COnrier.l

as assigned by the President in his message
Since then his influence has been strongly felt,
in confirming the determination Of large por-
ton OF the Wings in Congress to refuse supplies
for war which they regarded as unconstitution-
al and unjust. No member of our delegation
has done more useful service In his course, he
has most truly represented s'the heart'' OF Mass
achusetts-not merely its geographical heart,
but those pulsations of virtue, of honesty, of du-
~, which throb in the bosom of the Common.
wealth.
His recent speech is devoted to topics which
were left untouched in the earlier one. The two
together present complete view of the ground
lessness OF the war, and of the duties of citizens
with regard to it.
He begins by showing that Mexico was in
possession Of the valley of the Rio Granle. and
that, by consequence, the march of our army was
aggressive on our part, and fully justified the
Mexicans in resistance. "This is the true state
OF the case," says Mr.. Hudson, sand defy any
gentleman TO refute it,
He then justly distinguishes between war of
defence and offence, and refers tor illustration to
that OF 1912. Now, whatever question might
have existed as to the expedicncy of duty OF EN-
barking in the latter war; it cannot be questioned
when the country had entered upon it, that it be-
came war OF seD-defence. Our soil was invad-
ed, our frontiers laid waste, our capitol burned;
in short, we suffered. then, something of the
horrors which we are now infichng upon Mexi
CO. The war OF 1912 and the present war are
the very anhpodes of each other. In their caus-
es, and the purposes for which obey are prosecut-
ed, they are as far assunder as the poles. sThe
one" says MIR. Hudson, sswas Just, the other is
unjust; the former was defensive, the latter is
aggressive; that was prosecuted in defence of
freedom, and this is waged to extend slavery
Mr.. Hudson then considers the proper way of
checking this war. He admits that every patri-
ot should stand by his country, and is bound to
obey the laws OF the land. But this, he SAYS Is
perfectly consistent with Withholding supplies
His argument on this point is searching and con-
yincing. He examines with minute ANALYSIS
the powers and duties Of Congress in this emer.
gency. 1t had been ntimated by Mr.. Winthrop
that it was unconstitutional to stop the supplies,
aud that the people only could check the war, by
change OF rulers-that is, that an unjust war
must be ted by Congress. until new election Of
President gives an opportunity of remodelling
the government. This is disposed OF by Mr.
Hudson in the following passage:
s'But, Mr. Chairman, it has been more than in
simulated on this floor, that we have no constitu-
tional power to withhold supplies. No constitu-
tionai power l would gladly ask in what de-
partment OF the Government the making
power is placed by the Constitution. Isit given
exclusively to the Executive Such must be
the fact, it limitations thrown out here are to be
regarded as the fundamental law. But every
man, who is but specifically acquainted with
the structure of our government, knows that the
law-making power is vested in Congressional
the Senate and the House hold the men and the
money in their hands, and can give or withhold
them at their pleasure. This is a power inhe-
rent in every tree government and to say that
we do not possess it, is to say that we are al
ready under a military despotism. Accord
ing to this doctrine, when war is once COM
menced, the President has absolute power, and
may command the resources of the country to an
unlimited ext mt. He may call out what force
he pleases, and march them wherever his ambi-
ton shall dictate Suppose, in the case before us
that Mexico should declare to us, and TO the
world, that she was disposed to treat with us on
the most favorable terms-terms perfectly sails
factory to nine tenths Of our people-and that the
President, mad with ambition, should spurn the
offer, and declare that he would not desist from
further prosecution OF the war, until he had ex-
terminated the whole race, and possessed their
entire country is there man on this floor who
would not feel himself called upon to arrest this
mad scheme of Executive barbarity! There
would, trust, be but one opinion upon this sub
ject. Ii the President was dead to the voice Of
remonstrance, every member would feel himself
impelled, by sense OF duty, by the dictates of
humanity, by his constitutional obligations. to
refuse to the Executive the means OF prosecuting
such war. Now, this is yielding the whole
principle. This, allow, would be an extrnme
case; but, ii Congress can withhold supplies in
any case, 1t proves that they have the po,oer.
and, being the sole judges Of the exigency, they
may exercise this power whenever they deem il
expedient."
After enlarging on the alarming consequences
Of the opposite doctrine, which would give the
President the means Of injustice, he proceeds:
"The fact Is, Congress has full jurisdiction
over this whole subject, in war and in peace
and may grant to the Executive what means they
may judge proper. They violate no law 10
granting supplies they violate no law in with
holding them. They must exercise their discre-
ton in all cases They have the same power.
the same constitutional right, TO withhold from
the Executive twenty millions Of dollars for pros
ecuting the Mexican war, that they would have
to withhold the like sum Tor extending the Cum
berland Road, or for carrying out Whtney's
project OF rail road to the Pacific. II we must
obey the President in his military demands. why
not In his civil 2 He has the same power over
the raising of revenue, that he has over the
mode Of spending 1t (; and ii we must grant ten.
City, or hundred thousand men, because the
President desires II, we must lay and collect
taxes, regulate commerce, establish post roads.
and do all things that can lawfully be done. for
the same reason. We must make and unmake
tariffs, pass or repeal sub-treasuries, allow or re-
ject the private claims OF our citizens lust as II
may please our lord and master. And, Mr.
Chairman, has 1t come to this, that all the powers