The North-Carolina standard., 1847-03-17

to vote against the appropriation. The preamble
is calculated TO dampen the patriotic ardor of our
citizens at the time when our State is called
upon for volunteers. Its adoption will place her
in false position before the world, and one that
IS utterly at war with her former history. She
has always been among the foremost States of the
Union in maintaining the interests and in bearing
alolt and in triumph the flag of the country Her
sons the first in revolutionary times to declare
independence; and throughout the late war, North
Carolina, leaving for other States the unpatriotic
work of sanclioning expressions like those con-
tained in this preamble, declared we shad our
quarrel just" and while rallying her brave sons
TO the conflict babe them be found
'True to the last of their blood and their breath,
Descending like reapers to the harvest OF death''
Sir, do not design The slightest offence 10 any
member of the whig party when / denounce that
preamble, as l believe the great body of the peo.
pie will finally characterize it, as infamous. And
invoke gentlemen in a spirit of kindness and in
the name of North Carolina, not TO press it; for
really believe its adoption will be foul blot
upon The State.
Now, Sir, in order to show that The charge pre-
fercd against the President is without foundation,
the House will, l hope, pardon me for touching
briefly upon the causes which have produced the
present state of things between US and Mexico
1t is matter of history that soon after the sue
cessfnl revolt of Mexico from Spain-and IN that
revolt Sne was al0eO the VdloT anu skill OIL
of citizens-sbe invited our countrymen TO
leave the United States and 10 settle in Texas !;
and 10 induce them TO do so she held out the
strongest alIurements. She not only promised
them land without charge, but guaranteed TO them
form of government similar to that under which
they had been reared will not dctain The House
by adveTling to the reasons which have been as
signed for this course on the part of Mexico, but
think not among the least OF them will be found
H. of - ho Ind nd hnn
to interpose countrymen as shield between
her and them. Her fattering promises, as might
have been expected, were found sufficient to tempt
many Of our citizens TO leave the graves OF their
ancestors and the homes Of their CHILDHOOD and TO
take up their abode in the country TO which they
had been invited. At first the pledges that had
been made them were redeemed, and for time,
they were happy in their new homes but soon
their sky was overcast by cloud--soon was pre-
sented to their lips that cup of Mexican per6dy
and cruelty of which they have since been made
10 drink 10 the dregs
In short time Santa Anna had himself declar-
ed dictator, and uniting in himself all law, civil
and military, marched at the head Of an army
upon the different States of the Mexican confrd-
eracy to put down their free government at the
point of the bayonet They yielded one after an
other. until he came upon our country men in Tex
as here he encountered the Anglo Saxon blood
no craven spirits thoy-for they determined that
the time had come when they must decide between
slavery or DEATH and they nobIy preferred the lat
ter. Then, Sir, was carried on war, which, on
the part Of Mexico, was marked by more than
savage barbarity. ! have not time 10 present us
shocking history Finally. the day arrived which
was to decide the fate of Texas. These gallant
spirits undaunted by the fearful odds against them.
met their ruthless invaders on the memorable
plains of San Jacinto They vanquished the
Mexican army with Santa Anna at lis head, and
made them prisoners
A treaty. was then made, acknowledging the in
deprndence of Texas, and establishing the Rio
Grande as the boundary of the two governments.
Mr. Speaker that this the ancient boundary
of Texas when wc derived it from France in 1903,
and when we afterwards ceded it to Spain in
1919 and that it was acknowledged by the
respective governments is placed beyond cavll.
The idea that the Nurces, comparatively an
insignificant stream, is or ever was the true boun
dary, is an afterthought got up for party Purpos'
es, and is at variance with the recorded history
of the country. But it was agreed when Texas
was annexed to the United States, that the ques-
ton of boundary should be settled by the United
States and Mexico. | know of but two modes OF
settling questions of disputed boundaries between
different nations-by negotiation, which Is much
the most usual, and by force of arms. Our Gov
eminent proposed settle all questions in dispute
between us by the peaceable mode OF negotiation.
And Mexico after agreeing TO receive from US
minister, rejected him under circumstances caIcu-
lated 10 offend the pride of every American citl-
zrn. She refused 10 treat with him upon the set!
i,lement of the large and long outstanding debt,
which she owed our citizens for spoIiations upon
their property by and land, and for which
President Jackson and committees of Congress
had declared we had just cause of war against
her. Yes, sir, though our countrymen had aided
her in her struggle for freedom; and though we
were the first to acknowledge her independence
and 10 extend TO her the hand of fellowship, she
had returned our kind sympathies by oft repeated
insults to our national flag and BY the plunder o.
our citizens Would the President have been
true to his country if he had allowed these cues
:tions so naturally connected together, to have
been disconnected, and the claims of our country
men to have been passed over in silence by her
Had he done so, we should have heard loud ane
indignant times of condemnation from his presrn
accusers And vet he was unwilling to proceed
to extremites against her. But while this nego
tiaton is going on, Mexico is marshallng he
forces and preparing for that war which she hat
denounced against US if we annexed Texas. though
in that act we but carried out the principles pro
muIgated by our forefathers, and which they con
secrated bv their blood. In the meantime, Con
oress. by the establishment of a custom-house a
Point Isabel, had thrown our laws over the dis
npted territory. And while Texas calls on US Il
, reuel her invaders, Mexico marches her army OF
this side the Rio Grande and attacks the Amerl
can forces. THIS was but carrying into execution
the threat she had made in the event of annex
alton: and while that was the act of Congress
and not of the President, yet gentlemen say I'M
latter has hrou obi on this war. Sir, war agalns