The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-01-12
SPEECH OF
HON. CHAS. HUDSON.

strong, common sense in his way OF stating
his propositions, and degree OF truth and
force in his argument which must recon-
mend them 10 all those persons who seek 10
know the truth about the Mexican Var.
We have great confidence in the irmness oil
Mr.. Hudson, and hope hereafter 10 see him
taking the position in the delegation of Mass
chusetts 10 which he is every way entitled
Boston Weekly Wing.
Mr.. Chairman: am fully aware OF the
chs rges which shall draw down upon my
sell in expressing the views which | enter
tain upon the subjec. now before us. The
President Of the United States himself has
set us the example OF denouncing as traitors
all those who dare TO speak their minds on
this floor and in this country; and his fiat
terers here have followed his example. But,
sir, none of these things move me. look
with equal Indifference upon the denuncla-
lions OF The President and OF his ha;terers up
on this floor. will speak my sentiments
here or elsewhere, and will speak them
fully. II believe the Executive is wrong
IN any OF his measures. will make the dec
uiIOil. IL DCllCfc lCIeio uSut pOh iO"Ni
and trampled upon The constitution Of the u
nited States. none of The denunciations or
sarcasms of gentlemen on this floor will de-
ter me from giving full expression ofthese
my views and feelings. Nothing, say, thai
the President can say or do. will deter me IN
any degree from full and fair expression Of
my own opinions. Has it come 10 this, Mr..
Chairman, that u President can arrogafe TO
himself the war-making power, can tramplc
the constitution under foot, and wanionly in
volve the nation in war, and the people must
submit 10 this alrocity, and justify MIN and
his course. or be branded rs traitors to their
country Why. sir, il this doctrine pre-
walls the more corrupt an Administration is,
IL il has the power or the daring TO involve
this nation in war, without cause, the
greater is its impunity; for the moment II
has succeeded in committing that outrage,
every mouth must be closed, and every one
aust how in submission, A doctrine more
corrupt was never advanced asentiment
more dasfardly was never advocated in a de-
Lucrative assembly. Gentlemen who profess
to be the peculiar friends of popular right
may advance doctrines of this character; and
they may be in perfect accordance with THEN
views and feelings, and in conformity with
their democracy, bu, nave too much OF the
spirit which characterized our fathers to sub
nit TO dictation from any source whatsoever,
whether it be a foreign monarch or an Ameri-
can Pre- ident.
believe, Mr.. Chairman, that The first
principal declaration contained in the message
of the president.-iha the war existedby the
act of Mexico, and that we have taken all
honorable means 10 prevent ito be an IN
truth and believing so. will make that dec
Iardtion here; and will cndeavor, in the
short time allotted me, to state some Of the
reasons which lead me 10 that conclusion.
As TO the course, sir, which | shall pur-
sue in future in reference 10 the prosecution
Of this wal, will say, in advance. that shall
Judge for myself when The cases come up.
will endeavor to do the hest ] can for the
occasion to do my duty faithfully under all
the circumstances But sir, | believe that,
if any Of our revolutionary patriots werr
upon this floor; if they stood here represen-
Ting any portion of The people North, or
South, and nv friend over the way, the
chairman Of the Committee on Military Al
fairs. should come forward in the name oil the
President, an1 ask for IN increase Of the ar
my or a n wv levy of volunteers 10 PCS cute
such war as this. those ardent patriots
would say to him. as the stern old Roman
said to the enissaiv of Caesar;
bid him disband his lceions;
Restore the commonwealth to liberty;
Submit his actions the public cenSnie,
And stand the judgment of Roman Senate
Bid him do this. and Cato is his friend.
Nav, more; though Gates voice was never
raised
To clear the guilty, or TO varniSh crimes
Myself will mount the rostrum in'hS favor,
And strive to gain his pardon from The people.
The Message, Mr. Chai.'man. declares thai
the existing wal with Mexico was neifher de-
sired nor provoked by the United States; on
the contrary, all honorable means were re-
sorted to to avert the evil This declaration
believe to be absolutely untrue ; and II will
be the object of my remarks 10 sustain this
position. believe the Presideur, in making
that declaration. has made a statement which
is not supported, but is in reality CONT adic-
ted, bv the facts OF the case. How does the
| President attempt to sustain this declaration
Why, SIR the first charge he brings against
Mexico il, that she has committed spoilations
upon our commerce, and has refused 10 make
reparaton. Now, my first remark III rela-
ton to this part Of the message is. tina. it is
hardly magnanimous in the President Of the
United States to go behind the treaty Of L.
30. Suppose Mexico was guilty of faults
previous 10 that period. she confessed those
faults in that treaty and promised repara
tion.-That shonld have induced them &c
stop short at that period. BY the treaty o.
1889, joint committee was created TO ex-
ominc aud audit the claims Of our citizens
That commission remained in session unii
the expiration OF the period to which it wai
limited by the treaty; and they awarded tC
our citizens S2.O26 I39. Mexico represented
to us subsequently that, owing TO the en-
barrassed slate Of her fnlnces, she could no
conveniently make these payments at The
time specifed-and, by another treaty into
which the two Governments entered, in Is
43, it was stipulated that Merico should pay
the interest on this SUN up to April. l843'ant
then pay the principal, with accrui"g inter
est. in FIVE years-to be paid in quarterly in
stalments. Now; do not justify Mexico II
the course she has pursued subsequently, Il
this treaty. | am willing TO admit that ne
conduct deserves rebuks aud censure. Al