The State guard. [volume] (Wetumpka, Ala.) 1847-18??, 1847-07-13


himself TO say that they would immedi~
ately have Joined the standard of Santa
Anna. il was idle TO talk of pal oling
eight OF night thousand men in the heart
of the enemy's Country. Gentleman
urged that Gen. Taylor should have
gone on and encountered all the blood
and horrors OF sacking The city, and then
proceed to treat with the Mexicans. -
Had he done so, it might be question:.
bic whether he would have gained any
capiiulation AT all. He had al that time
bur three days provision with him.
Would the honorable senator or any
man there say that be ought to have pa.
rolled the Mexican soldiers under such
circumstances He would not protract
the debhe on the question, hut he rar-
costly hoped that they would be able TO
vote on both sides Of the chamber with,
out reference to party interests. Their
army was made up OF ell parties, and
the only questo, with them was who
was an Americana Could they not then
free themselves from all the shackles
of party feeling when the question was
upon the passage of a resolution of
thanks to those brave and gallant off,
cers2
Mr.. Webster then rose and said |
shall say but ve,y few words. But |
do exceedingly regret that when we are
about to render tribute OF respect 10
military man abroad, anything should
occur, or anything be proposed to be
mixed up with that which should break
the entire unanimity OF Congress. To
be valuable, this tribute of respect must
be unanimous. 1t must appear to flow
from general sense of what Is due TO
the occasion, and what is due to The off,
GER. Always, as far as / know, and as
remember the history OF this govern
meni, the thanks of Congress have been
rendered, when they have been rendered
at all, TO military men by distinct pros
positions, free and clear from all other
considerations whatever. The propriety,
the gracefulness belonging 10 the occa-
sion require that il should be so. Now,
have in my hand the resolution which
passed this body last year-"that the
thanks of Congress are due and are
hereby rendered to MAJOR General Ia
chary Taylor, commanding the army Of
occupation, and his officers and men,
for the foritudc, skill, enterprise, and
courage which have distinguished the
late brilliant operations on the Rio
Grande." should propose 10 take that
resolution ia its very words and adopt IL
as an amendment to that before the Se..
nate; and to pass ii and make it the
real substantial tribute Of respect TO
General Taylor and The army. But
have only further to say that can vote
for no resolution in the present state Of
things which has a citing in it upon Gen
Taylor's conduct in any respect. or
which leaves any doubt or hesitation.
| wish to leave out every subject about
which difference Of opinion or doubt or
hesitation can arise; and on the other
hand, l really do not suppose that gem
lIemen could have contemplated the
tender of the thanks of Congress 10
General Taylor in a manner 10 be ac-
cep.able TO him, that IS, in manner
expressive of the unanimous consent Of
Congress, with such provisions, which
are inserted by wav of preamble, reel.
tai, or dissertation on the Next, an war,
in this resolution. Now, sir, shall
vote for nothing that reeites or discusses
the merits of The Mexican war. Gen
Taylor can he under no mistake about
thai if / withhold my vote from the re-
solution in the present shape. most as,
suredly not an off. er--not a soldier
Who can read-will fail to understand
the reason. And were we are about 10
do an act of generous character
where we are about TO unite in grateful
homage TO bravery and valor-is il gen
erous--Is il manly ove'e exceptions by
way 81 preamble ana iec''a', ana screw
out OF gentlemen opinions winch ii'ey
DO not perhaps enier'ain-and u ihey
did. do not lhlnk tins at all proper &C.
casion on which TO express 'hem = NO,
sir; no, SIR! Wpy shonid ho' we acl
with the iloerali'y aad generosity iaa'
become usf why should we mol give
to this brave general and brave army me
thanks due 70 lhem W Inc Ordinary 'ash
ION In which Inc 'nanks 81 congress
nj pXnrplgpd md foQfarp1 On all &c,