The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-03-09

she was then about TO make of herself. We
were told that war with Mexico would not
could not ensue, if that step should be taken
by the people of the United States. We
were told then, as we are told now. by the
Senator from Michigan, that all was calm
all was tranquil; that as he said yesterday,
the sentinel might sleep securely sn his tow
er-that all would be peace, and that that
step could in no sense disturb the friendly re-
lations existing between the Republic Of Mex
leo and the Republic Of The United States.
We were asked not 10 anticipate The evil
which was 10 come, just as The Senator from
Michigan begged US 10 anticipate not evils
which might be in prospect before US. 'Suf
ficient unto the day is The evil thereof was
then :he song with which the advocates Of
that measure sought TO lul into tranquility. or
into apathy, the excited feelings Of the pub
lie mind in this country.
Aud, Mr. President, the day has come, and
was then predicted, and the evil predicted
has come with il. We are here, sir, now, moi
as then at peace with all the world-nor now
as then with laws that brought into youi
treasury everything adequate 10 its wants
not now as then free from debt and the ap-
prehension of debt and taxation. its nccessa-
nv consequence. But we are here with
treasury that is beggarcd-ihat hits up lis i'm
ploring hands TO the monopolisls and capital
lists of the coun:ry-that sends out its notes
aud promises 10 pay into every mart and cv
cry market in the wo>d-begging fer pit
lance from every hand 10 help to swell the
mount now necessary 10 extricate us from
war-ineviiable, as it now seems il WIS
from that very act which was adopted under
such haiiering promises two years ago. Mr..
President, il is no purpose OF mine 10 arraign
The conduct OF the United States upon that
occasion. 1t is no purpose of mine TO treat
:he new adopted sister-ihe State Of Tex
as-as an alien or stranger in this family of
republics. | allude 10 this only 10 show how
little reliance is to be placed upon these IA
vorable anticparions in which gentlemen in
dulge with regard TO consequences which
may flow from measures TO which they are
strongly welded, either by feeling or by par
ty attachment.
And is there nothing else. Mr. President. in
the history of the last year 10 justify The Sen
ator from South Carolina in that important
declaration which he made The other day. that
in the whole history of his lfe-comprising
he most evenrful periods in The history Of
this Republic-Ihere had never been time
when so much danger was threatened TO the
interests, happiness aud liberty of the people
of the United States as now! Why. sir, il
any one would sit down free from The excite
menl. free from the bIasses consequent upon
constant inierminglng with those busted in
public affairs, and in those calm and sequest-
cred soliudes where thoughtful men indulge
themselves in reflections upon passing events,
and look over the history even olthe last year,
and then judging from all the examples of
former Understanding TO that wisdom
which his DRY teaches and hicb history alone
can teach-of what must re the inevitable &
unavoidable result ofwhat has happend, it ap-
pears TO me that he would say that this Re
public, boasiing that its liberties are secured
and the various functions Of its government
hound up in the chains Of a written constitu.
lion, has torn that constitution TO fatters scat
tered il 10 the breeze and resolved itself into
that cid and much abused constitution OF
England. mere omnipotence OfParliameni!
No. He would rather frd in the events
of lie last ten months Of The last year, that
that power Of this government. which wa.
evidently intended 10 be the controlling DOW
er-iftliere may be said TO be any controlling
power belonging 10 constitution which so
divided out ard parcelled out its powers with
reference 10 the supremacy OF each in lis own
sphere-had given iiselfup voluntary slave
10 that alone, which, by the Timers ofihe con
was intended to be the mere execu-
tor and Ministerial officer 10 the " i'll Of The
other. Let any Que consider the history Of
The Sepa,e ofihe United States from the time
il convened last year 10 this hour, and say
~ he Thor ho ,haf boJ
POI ept part of the United States Congress.
Would not any man, on being Informed that
there exists war with neighborins Rerub
lic-a war which has taxed all The fiscal ener-
gies and patriotism Of the country. TO carry
forward for the last ten monihs,-make the
natural inquiry, Where in the journals OF
Congress shall find the causes of this war
TO what record of this body shall / go to as
certain " hat it is that has driven this peace
iul, this happy people from. the great pursuits
of civil life 10 rush into all the miseries OF
war! Let me see these causes, Tor read
in the constitution Of this government thai
Congress composed of the Senate and
House Of Repieseniatives-tlone, Congress
alone, and no other power under heaven, can
ever bring upon this country that diresi, wurst
and faialist curse Of humanity-wARl Ii is
by their will alone. that that cuise can be in
fllcted. shall fnd then, somewhere on the
journals of Congress statement Of the eau
ses and reasons of the war.
If such an inquirer. Mr.. President, should
look into the archives Of the Senate or into
the archives of the House of Representatives,
he would be obliged TO 60 away and tell the
story TO the world, that it was altogether a
there could be no such Consfi
tuition as that. for in the journals of neither
House could he find an act el the Legisla-
lure which avowed the reasons OF the war
no such resolution soemriy debated ard SOL
EMMY decided. assigned The world-io the
tribunal Of Christendum-ihe reasons which
lmpeled us 10 invoke This last and most fatal
weapon Of an injured people for the redress Of
its wrongs.
He will find it nowhere. And although
This has been the condition oftbe country for
about ten months, il is a fact undeniabe. and
history must so record it, that up 10 about FIVE
days ago there has not been offered 10 the
Senate Of The United States one hours dis
russion Of the reasons Of this war, so that the
Senator from South Carolina WIS obliged 10
say that up TO this hour he was compelled TO
guess and imagine those reasons! How has