Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-01-15
%CoNGREssIoNAL
IN sENATE-MosDAr, JANUARY 10, ls4s.
INCREASE OF THE ARMY.

INCREASE OF THE ARMY.
The bill to raise ten additional Regiments of Regular troops
being under consideration, and the question being its pas
sage
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Maryland, said My purpose, Mr..
President in addressing the Senate, is to give my opn
upon certain points connected with the present war; which,
be conceded may be properly discussed upon the
present bill They these
l. Is the just and honorable one is unjust and
dishonorable
O. Has it been heretofore properly prosecuted
s. How should il hereafter be prosecuted
a. What end, consistently with the good name Of the ma
ton. should be attained by II
Mr. President upon each of these propositions propose
present my views with the ankness and freedom which be-
Senator, and the time with the Difference
which sincerely feel for the opinions of those upon both
sides Of the chamber with whom shall be found to differ
Nothing, sir annoying to than refer at any
time any thing personal to myself and 1t is especially SO to
do in the presence in which stand But there may be
circumstances which render il duty feel myself in that
condition. and therefore ask the kind indulgence of your
self and the Senate say word two of personal char
acter.
To those who know me, Mr. President il is, am sure,
unnecessary to disclam that acuaed this occasion,
neither in what shall say do, by any other motive than
the single motive Of duty to my country If could be mad
enough desire any other political post Of honor than the
which now hold (sufcent would think, to satisfy the
cravings of any ambition hope know myself well enough
to be able say with truth, that should scorn to obtain
by panderng popular passion or Official power But sir
no office in the gift of the present Executive which would
accept and the power of the people to give that
would take In the school of political ethics in which have
been taught have imbbed my first and last lesson the
duty do what you believe be right and confidently abide
the result Be the appreciation of your fellow not,
you have then the appreciation Of conscience trans
cendng infinitely ranscendng in true value any reward that
can flow from human source
As popularity, sir, estimate it nothing, sought
after It's real worth when it follows good ends,
pshed by good becomes disgrace when catered for
would any political opinion which did not sim
cerey entertain, conceal which did entertain, to
win any honor which my counymen could bestow honor
won, if capable of go winning it would be to me
bu. hourly abasement.
Sir need say that came into this body differing with
the Administration upon almost every subject Of our public
civil policy This difference, decided it in the begin
ming fa having been diminished but AID
more strengthened and confirmed believe they misappe-
bend the policy Of the country and fundamentally err
upon great and vital points Of constitutional power may
be Mistaken but believe sincerely believe in my own
existence that the day will come, and rapidly coming,
when this will be to be the general opinion OF the people,
and that until then the country will be deprived of many
blessing which the constitution intended bestow Bot
sir questions have arisen, and are now agatng the ma
ton We at ard upon OF the questions grow
ing out of find myself differing perhaps with most OF the
Senator'S on this side Of the chamber not hope with all with
whom my pride and pleasure generally to agree need
say Mr. President TO you to them, that this difference
exists if does exist, because unable from sense OF
duty have otherwise Party ties party prepossessous,
party aons strong they and should
besufcienty strong make honorable violate
what he feels be his duty to his country And when in
that duty involved his country reputation they should be
and are weaker than the spiders web
Nor upon this occasion do feel any other than
that which the TACT of difference creates because know
well the Senator's who around me- that whatever regret
they feel that opinions all points IDENTICAL
should have, what now have, their
pect and esteem, if surrendered my judgment and pal
tered with my conscience upon measure vital in that
judgment the fame of our common country. We diff
fer hut we'd hu w
patriots We have alike the true honor of the country at
hearwe only not agreed, perhaps, to what that true
honor demands.
Sir he ibes them, and bels me- who doubts high and
patriotic purposes He violates the decorum of private life
and the decences of official relation where exists, who init
that capable under any state Of hngs for
purposes of taking sides with the enemies of country.
We alike her honor; disagree if do disagree,
the mode of vndicating and maintaining it. Mr. Pre-
siden all of the good and liberal Of my countrymen WILL
have doubt when they shall have what am about TO
say, do the justice believe that my motives pure and
patriotic There may be, and perhaps followers OF
the party camp, whose hope is to feed the po of the
contest who profess doubt but such do drop
syllable to satisfy Bred in the corruption OF the motto oil
the political freebooter that the spos belong the victor
fighting for principle but for plumber they ccuent
their motto, and beneath the notice of honest only,
indeed be Stunned would shun oathsome toad
that might be in your pathway.
Is the war just and honorable not
think is and hope for the good name OF my country,
that such will be the judgment OF christendom Sir wish
to be clearly understood am not nqurng into the conduct
of the Executive into IFS prudence, its constutonaly
My single proposition is, that between the United
States and Mexico the former had just OF war on the
18th May, 1916, when the of that date passed.
and that that day in fact existed by Of the
Just and illegal of Mexico Sir repeat before going fur
ther that sincerely trust love the fair fame OF my coun
nymen, that may be able 10 make this plain. Sir should
bow in deep and heartfelt modification for that fame If did
not believe it to be plain. would have it to be in
voved in the slightest obscuy doubt from the dread OF the
Judgment which the civilized world would then be compelled
pass upon We live in age when nations, indi-
vduai lose their power and usefulness and sink into dega-
dalton if they peperae acts Of wrong and injustice. We
are, thank God surrounded by moral atmosphere neces-
sary heahfu national existence the atmosphere we
breathe is necessary TO individual life. we discard IT. If we
sink below it, if substitute for that which Is nscparable
from violence and injustice, the punishment at hand The
decay begins and progresses until involved in hopeless
ruin.
elevated the spoe that character the greater the
trust therefore, in God that right in the opinion
that this war is upon just and honorable II not,
clearly just and honorable then will be pronounced by
the judgment of the world band Of murderers. No other
then be passed upon II we are right we are
worthy descendants of re who knew moral blemsh who
estimated the national honor above oil price II we
have sgraced the inheritance of freedom they have lef
us brought dshonor upon land and aimed fatal blow
at constitutional freedom itself.
If speak strongly il is because feel strongly wish to
give offence take offence f others hold differ
ent opinion am here justify my before the Senate
and the country and do with the freedom that be-