The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-10
UprranKs OF MIR. MCLEAN,
OF Pennsylvania.

OF PENNSYLVANIA
, A, IJ.y,, of ReDresentat,reS, February 4, lSl6-ln
40 rmittee OF the Whole on the state OF the Union on
he civil and diplomatic appropriation bill.
A. MCLEAN rose and sad Mr. Chairman, ought
hns n congratulate myself that, alter many unsuc-
ressal efforts have at last succeeded IN obtaining me
f nerod ye allotted 10 our deliberations, ls attached
~ s possession. promise the committee thai VIII
make a discreet OF my good fortune II is known
m durino the period OF my service here have Tres
u but seldom on the time of the House; and !
phi now appropriate myself no greater portion of 1t,
n NAV suffice to enable me to present. Tor the inorna-
o Of nv constituents, and in as narrow compass as
ossble the views entertain IN relation to those great
ptional questions upon which we are called to decide
sba therefore, avail myself OF the universal privilege
awarded us in Committee OF me h9e on .he STAG o.
hal irect the few remarks have to make to that one
great absorbing topic which engrosses at TINS time 'he
undivided attention OF the whole American people
n nv deliberate conviction that the war IN when,
nbarnly we are at present engaged with Mexico, rs a
INST and necessary warand that could not have been
avoided without ignominous Sacrihce OF those grea
gb,s and principles recognised, enforced, and VIM
d,cated by every independent nation upon earth
The man does not live who would welcome Inc
rrturn OF peace with deeper qualification than myself
believe that the united voice OF the country IS lor
neace-peace on just and honorable terms And l am
satisfied that the only mode by which that most desira-
HE consummation can be attained - vigorous
and efficient prosecution OF the war Forbearance on the
mart of the United States has ceased to be virtue.
pace must be obtained; and the only alternative now
left rs IS speedily and efficiently to strengthen our
forces in Mexico and dictate terms 10 her at the point
oi the bayonet and at the mouth OF the cannon. For
his issue every true republican in our country is resolv,
ed and ready The people throughout the length ana
breadth of the land looking with intense anxiety Tor
such prompt and decided action on the part OF their rep
resepatyes here shall ensure TO the government OF
their choice candid and liberal support IN thus cnhcal
conuncture of our affairs The days OF our Legislative
existence are numbered. Time Is waning rapidly busi-
ness of vast importance yet remains to be transacted
Money and men must be furnished speedily that some
decisive blow may be struck before the ravases OF the
scky season shall decmae our troops and put an end 10
active operations conscientiously believe Mr.. Char
man, that in the power of Congress now TO adopt
sch measures as will compel Mexico TO sue tor peace
With as rests the responsibility of such Legislation as on
The one hand will strengthen the hands OF the executive
and enable him to adopt vigorous and decisive pocy
or on the other, will prolong the war, by Withholding
the necessary supplies and allowing the demon OF discord
TO rankle in our midst. TO our constltuents-to our
countryand before still more high, as well as nialli-
ble trbunal-we must answer for the manner IN winch
we shall now discharge these solemn duties. Day alter
day have listened in this hall to denunciatons from
gentlemen on the opposite side of the House upon
the Presdent--frst for commencing this war, as
they are pleased TO charge; and, secondly, Tor the
manner in which it has been conducted. have been
pleased to see that there are some honorable exceptions
10 this rule land prominent amongst these am grahed to
notice honorable colleague, who addressed the House
few days ago, Mr. PoLLocx Sir If ever there can be
time in the history OF nation where unity IN ITS coun-
ellis is pre- emneny demanded, il is Just such time as
this The enemy gathered in battle array against YOU
The lives of your countrmen are offered up, IN heca-
ombs sacrifice 10 the fell spirit OF warfare that RACES
bones bleaching in the wind And shall we stop TO
inquire what the interests and what the requirements
OF pqty whether some ngorous triumph may not be
achieved in its behalf, growing out OF the manner IN
which the war has been carried on
Gentlemen here have spoken and acted II this war
the act of the President alone How can this be
States, knows that the power of declaring is vested
IN the legislative department OF the government; and
that the power OF conducting or carrying it on Is lodged
q the Executive. Consttuonaly, he is the sole con,
iucor of the war. To him belongs the responsibility OF
planning the campaign and OF proporoning and adapt
g the forces called out to the objects to be accomplish
ed In word the uncontrolled direction in the field OF
the whole matter rests with him. The great object OF all
our efforts in the prosecution of the war now, Il the at
ainmen of speedy and honorable peace II is the
duty of the Executive to direct the power and the re-
object in view may be effected in the manner most advan-
tageous and with the least possible delay He respon
sbe to the nation for the in which this great
trust is discharged What them is our duty the rep
the way of the Chief Magistrate Is it to withhold the
supplies which he has asked for, and which he declares
10 be indispensable to the successful prosecution of the
war! Is TO impeach his motives at every
step, and TO heap contumely and abuse upon hun
and his administration Certainly not. If IN the present
condition of the country, should be called upon to de-
good citizen, should we not say that he would yield a
ready obedience to the laws; that he would, by every
means within his CONTROL aid in the promotion of the
general welfare; that he would, to the utmost of his
ability, sustain the government of his country in prose
cutting this war to Just and honorable peace; that, in
stead OF denouncng the 10 whose hands the people
have for the time being confded their des'inies he
should at least give him the credit of patriotic motives;
and should endeavor to strengthen not TO parayze, the
arm which has been raised for the common defence
But what has been the of debate in this House
Has not IN many instances been such as to Justify
belief on the part of enemy that they have
powerful party IN their favor throughout the United
| States
Mr.. SAWYER. Yes; and they have, too.
Mr.. MCLEAN continuing. Yes, sir, and 40 had the
British during the last war And what is the language
now held OUT We are told-withdraw your troops
from the Mexican territory, and let see whether Mex
o will not then do us justice. Not by my vote, Mr.
hartman, shall course of policy so humiating and
suicidal be adopted We have already made proposals
Of peace, which have been rejected with scornfu
Tempt And am satisfied that we shall best meet the
expectations and the wishes of our constituents by
prompt and decisive action looking towards the prosecu-
Ton OF the war; rather than by consuming days and
weeks OF precious time in dispung rs to its origin and
iersand through the medium of the public documents
which have been spread before them and especially by
means of that most comprehensive and lucid message
transmitted to Congress by the President of the United
Mates ut the opening OF the present session. That mes
sage has been received by the people with a degree Of
vaprobaton not surpassed by that bestowed upon any
state paper which issued from the executive depart
ment Of this government The people satisfied
The justice and necessity of this war Upon that point
need comment further; but, in this connexon, vii
read passage from letter addressed by Mr. Forsyth
our Secretary of State, 10 the Minister of Foreign Az
llrs IN Mexico, dated far back May, 1897, in
which the following passage occurs:
i The direction Of tn President has made it the duty OF
M Undersigned Secretary OF state OF tha United States, to
address, the Minister Of Foreign Affairs of the Mexican
public for the purpose of inviting for the last time the
Ns attention OF the of that country the
Eon various and 9ng-sianding complaints Of injuries
c' OIL Tie United Stnes by Mexican authorities and to