Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-04


iures of which we complained. Since tina
time the Mexican Government has paid par
of the indemnifcation and continued to make
great efforts to comply with the treaty Of in
demnity, until the friendly relations between
the two Governments were disturbed by the
anne xation Of Texas. The President has n'
right to go behind this treaty to justify the war
Our cause of complaint against Mexico was
that she owed and had agreed to pay our citi
zens-and that was true and it is just Ms true
that she had not the means Of paying the
amount agreed on when due.
This is the first time in the history Of the
world that the poverty of a nation has been
considered good cause for war, and If this rule
be applied to us what will the repudiating
States of the South West say Indeed what
can we say for ourselves after repudiating the
debt of the Revolution Sir, said Mr.. G. in
my judgment this war was unnecessary and
unjust, and was brought upon the country by
the Executive and / am ready to proclaim
its injustice anywhere and everywhere-call it
treason-call it giving aid and comfort to the
enemy, or by whatever name you please
Who has given aid and comfort to the enemy?
James X. Polk. He has admitted into Mexico
Santa ANNA, and number of able officers
with him, who have united the nation against
us, and if Congress had granted the two mil
lions, which he asked for, the enemy would
Ia al. al :,
something new in the art Of war. Any pri-
vate citizen who had done this would have
been hung as trator;-and yet this man dares,
in his official message, to fling the reproach of
treason in the faces of those who see fit to
question the origin Of the war. The question
before us was not the defence of the country,
its honor, or interest. For that he would 60 as
far as he who goes fartherest he would so in
support Of the war as far as the institution
and laws of Congress required him to go, and
he would go no further. At the risk Of being
cried down he meant to say, that he would not
go a step beyond the requirements the Gov
eminent and the Constitution. We have been
warned Of the fate Of those who opposed the
war of 1912. Sir, the gentleman from Cum
berand was one of that party, and denounced
the war and President Madison. 1t is evident
that the men who opposed the last war did not
mean to be caught in that way again. l was
not Of that party was in favor of the war,
and the President who recommended it, and
the Congress that declared it, ] was old
enough to bear arms at its commencement,
and to vote before its end.
Sir, it has been said by the gentleman from
Cumberland, that Rhode Island did nothing in
the last war except furnishing a Commodore
on Lake Erie. Sir, this is a gross sander
upon the fair fame of our little State. There
was not battle OH the land, on the ocean, or
on the Lakes, in which Rhode-lsland had not
her full share. AT Chippewa, at Bridgewater,
at the Thames, and on Lake Chumplain, she
was well represented and the Lake Erie was
a Rhode Island fight. We not only sent there
the lamented Perry, but nearly half the officers
and men in the fleet, and among them were
the gallant Turner, Taylor, Champln, Almy,
Brownell, Breese, and others. ..
One word more, Sir, in relation to this war
with Mexico. At the last session of Congress
the President informed that body that war ex-
listed by the acts of Mexico herself, and this
declaration was incorporated into the preamble
of the bill of supplies for the army. Many
members regarded this declaration as untrue,
and all would have voted for the bill without
the preamble MIR. Calhoun implored the SEN
ate to strike it out, that every one might unite
in voting the supplies. The majority refused
that boon indeed it was put there purposely
to shield the President. Mr.. Calhoun then
told the Senate be would sooner cut off his
right hand than vote for the bill with this false
hood upon its face.
The purposes of the administration as far as
developed in this war are conquest of neigh
boring Republic, and the extension of slavery
over territory larger than the old Thirteen
States, where slavery is now unknown
We are told the President knows best, and his
administration must be supported, and that il
is treason to speak against his measures. Sir,
! hope never to live to see the time when this
corrupt doctrine shall prevail in this country
Has it come to this, that the President of the
United States is the Government of the Uni
ted States, and we must adopt the monarchi-
cal maxim that the King can do no wrong p
| hope not sir-not in my time at least, nor in
any time to come, if we mean to be free.
In conclusion, sir, am opposed to the reso'
lutions now before the House, wash my
hands clean OF them. They are justified by
no necessity that should induce this Assembly
to step out of its place to do the work of Con
gress. There is no requsition by the United
States for these men, call them what you will
If the troops, volunteers or regulars, need
money for their subsistence, or equipment
Congress has means at command, and has had
all sufficient time to provide for both. Let us
not disgrace ourselves by forward, overzeal.
Gus attempt to do that, which rightfully be.
longs to another. Above all, let us not do j,
in a cause like this-in n cause we disapprove
Il will be noticed in the Congressional