The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-20

of Legislation, and which properly be call
ed party questions cannot will not, make me aban-
don that party association by which those great principles
can alone be sustained The present administration has
sustained with more ability, and carried out with more
fidelity the great principles of the republican party, than
any administration since have had any knowledge OF the
government IT, therefore, differed with the President
upon the Mexican war and upon every other col
lateral question involving none OF the great prn-
cples which divide the parties, | should still give
the administration cordial and hearty support We ex-
pec parsans 10 agree upon the leading questions OF the
country This agreement is the and spirit OF par
ty, conra-distinguished from faction but we should
expect hope, that the members of the par
which arise, that are disconnected with those principles
and measures upon which national parties divide. A
democrat differs with the President to the war; to
the best mode OF conducting IT to the best ohceis to
lead armies as whether volunteers reguarsare
the most efficient and yet would be consunimate folly,
in my Judgment. that he should for these differences.
make war upon the administration and unite with the
wings in breaking 1t down, when he must known that
its downfall is the certain overthrow of those principles
and measures which he desires should survive those
temporary questions which he TO accomplish their
overthrow. The wings may be justlliable IN bringing
everything to bear for the purpose of destroying the ad
mnsration; because they only want Office and pow
but they desire TO overthrow every republican meas
ure OF the administration. They may seek to derive
strength among the people, by condemning the Mexican
war; for they may well fear to before the country
upon the true issues dividing the parties
For the first time the country has chance to test
the practical operations of our republican faith For the
first time, have ad valorem tariff approxmating
revenue standard When this act passed, the alarm
cry raised, and an effort to produce panic Ruin
ruin ruin! was sounded from the halls of Congress,
hearted democracy seen to falter. Can these pro-
phets OF evil go before the country hold up their heads
while the evidences of their meet them IN every
part OF the republic? Manufactures prosper agriculture
hounshes commerce lively and every branch OF IN
dustry feels already the invgorang influence OF the
measure The cry OF an exhaused treasury by reason OF
the reduced tariff of 1885, has been falsed and the fact
recorded that the increase of is about 60 per
cent? and the amount OF increase IN the easurytor
the first quarter of the year about 100000 The bur
dens of the people have been essened their taxes have
been reduce their articles of consumption lessened IN
price, and their products raised in value The odous
sub treasury with its specie clause has gone into opera
ton and the alarm created by its enemies dying away
and will soon be forgotten, or only be remembered to be
rdiculed as folly.
try would the people know such an act was in existence
but for politicians The country was never more prospe-
rous in all Its departments. The money market never
more easy. The currency sounder. The balance
OF trade in our favor and specie flowing into the country
in abundance The wings not prepared to go before
country 5sy with the s sd ne
sue which may afford some hope for party success But
[ am amazed at senators who believe and feel with me,
and with the President upon the great questions OF the
country, who seem willing to lend their position and
popularity to the breaking down Of administration,
which has done more than all which has preceded 1t,
in fixing these principles, and giving them place IN the
affections of the people. The feeling of ego rer
inspires too many of the democracy to draw chalked
lines for their associates, and to embrace or denounce
them they may square themselves by its direction No
man was ever yet great statesman matter how ex-
allied his patriotism, who refused political and party
cations because he was unable to command obedience
to all his behests principles and men, is the mot
TO- and yet must have men to carry out the principles
In my opinion il is not the mark of wisdom for states
man to silt himself upon his individuality, and feel
proud of his influence, when that very robs him
entirely of the ability to be servceabe to his country,
My honorable friend from Florida MIR. WEsrcorr]
boosted the other day that he emo mans man." That
certanlya very common boast and if he only meant
by it that he made no sacrifice of principle at any time,
merely for the sake OF pleasing some political tavorte
il was likewise proper but if he meant by that he
too Independent to aid in carrying on the government,
unless the views of others should become subservient to
his own, must beg leave 10 say that the boast sayors
more OF sef-impOydnCe than genuine craftsmanship.
The senator has certainly gone very far to establish Tor
himself character for Independent uncertainty; SO that
no one dares hazard guess where he will be
| found upon any given question.
will now make some remarks upon the itself,
the fruitful theme for abuse to the administration II
has beeen said, and has been reiterated again and again.
that the President made this The question is, how
did he make it? How do you establish the charge 1t
should be remembered, that if this charge iast the
no excuse for their course upon the subject OF the war
and must expect the stern rebuke of nsued and in
Jignant peoPe How did the President make this war
positively certain that he soughtvery earnestly omake
a treaty with Mexico After the Mexican minister had
left the country, breathing hostility against the United
States; after our minister had been dismissed from his
official station by the authorities of Mexico the Presi-
dent still sought negotiation This did not exhibit any
anxiety for with that republic After the threaten
10 hang upon her coast and be ready Tor
the exigency that threatened, they Withdrawn
by the suggestion of Mexico that their contguty was
barrier any overtures OF peace. This surely ndlca
ted no hostile wish upon the part of the President TO have
"A war with Mexico If he sought only pretext Tor
hostility, he had enough TO Justify him in the eyes OF the
civilized world He still sued for peace and by means
which would have been humiating, if we had been in
contest with mghter power; he BATTERED himself that
success would attend the effort According to agree
ment he sent n minister, with full powers to make a
permanent treaty This certainly bears mark of de-
sire upon the part OF the President to rush into Her
rera the then President of Mexico, heard the
murngs of discomfort, and saw the undoubted signs OF
a revolution in consequence of his consent to make a
treaty of boundary He endeavorcd to proong the ey-
sence Of his rickey government by refusing our min
lister, and eycusng himself for the refusal by denying the
agreement
He agreed to receive commissioner only, and not a
minister, he said do not propose to examine thus qulb
ble although politicians here agreed with Mexico, and
not consummated because Herrera agreed to receive q
ministers but because he friendly TO q treaty OF
boundary If the bubble to which he resored had been
the OF complaint, the revolution would have been
arrested when he rejected minister. Having shown
disposition to treat upon the subject of boundary the
army would not trust him in power They placed al the
head of the government the spirit of the revolu-
ton Paroles, who put the army motion by his HOSTILE
ty to the United States and his opposition to any treaty
with upon the subject of boundary. suppose that
the most bitter enemy of the President will not deny but
he did all that could be done to make treaty of peace
He failed AL this am told is trie but that the was
made by the President by ordering the army from Corpus
Christi to the Rio Grande II he had suffered the army
to remain at Corpus Christi, say they wo should have
J had no war This a suppostion, unsupported by a
solitary fact; it is mere conjecture, coniradcted by
every act and every declaration upon the part of