The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-11
SPEECH or MIR. MILLER,
OF NEW JERSEY,
ON THE TEN REGIMENT BILL.
In SENATE, FEBRUARY s, 1913.

much OF It's interest Yet the questions which il has
brought under consideration are OF such deep national I'M
norance that feel II my duty to tax the patience OF the
Senate while express the reasons Tor the vote intend
togye ,:, :: A., o-o ~ ~; dh,o Il -,
the preamble TO the act OF the 18th May, lS46 As twill
moi he necessary the view intend TO take OF this
10 naure into the truth OF The fact asserted IN that peam
be will pass over with this single remark, that the
authors of that preamble intended by il to force the
lion of Congress to doubtful and disputed point the
history of this war, and thereby ste future stga
ton, il has turned out to be put sum and shallow de-
vice Truth cannot be smothered beneath preamble
NV object present to pass by the preamble, and 10
examine the act to which appended BY the first
ton OF that act II is declared;
.nat for ,c purpose of enabling the government of the
United States prosecute said war to speedy and
ee.sfu examinations, the President be- and he is hereby
authorized employ the militia, naval and military forces
of the United States, and call for and accept the services
OF any number of volunteers exceeding fifty thousand
who NAV their either cavalry artillery,
antry or riemen, twelve months after they shall
have arrived the place OF rendezvous or to the end OF
the war discharged, according 10 the time io
which they shalt have been mustered into service and
that the of millions of dollars OF any moneys Ia
the treasury into the treasury, not otherwise
appropriated be and the hereby appropriated for
The purpose of carrying the provisions OF this act into e
This is the solemn and only declaration made by Con-
gIess-the making power under our constitutional
the purpose for which the government OF the United
States would prosecute the war with Mexico 10 this
declaration, then must look to ascertain the objects
for which the is to be prosecuted We find hsrs
plainly and distinctly written that the great object Con-
ton of hostilltes.
Ii was for this great object and none other, that Con-
gress authorized the Executive to employ the militia the
military and the naval forces of the United States Ii
was for this that then placed al his disposal ten mil
lions of dollars of the national treasure. 1t is evident
from the proceedings OF Congress, as also from the
sage OF the President recommending the measure that
the existence OF the was recognised by Congress-
and the military and naval forces of the country were
# II RRs % 81 %
rory and to revenge American blood shed upon Amer
can soil The President himself did not dignity the hos
ites which had suddenly broke out on the disputed
territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande with
the name OF war. lie calls 1t an "exlstlng COLLISION
read from his message OF the nth of May, 1876:
THE energetic and prompt measures, and the i'm
force are recommended Congress the certain
and efficient of bringing the existing collision with
Mexico a speedy and successful termination.
'ln making these recommendations deem il proper
holites speedily but 10 bring all matters il dispute be-
tween this goeInfent and Mexico to an early an d,d
bic adjustment" Az uo"o,
Id 49, ;rns,.os a TO- ,h nplaon of
Congress recognised the war, and authorize 'e'' "A
dent to prosecute it. Congress did not a, slaM 'NN
imagine that they were giving authority to I'll
10 employ the power OF this government for the Ga
of all or any part of Mexico The sole object was TO
bring the war, which then had but existence
speedy termnaton--to crush it at by superior
force before could acquire strength permanency II
was for this object that and the party with which act
here, have voted for all the men and money heretofore
asked by the Executive
IL
ment of the United States prosecute the said t
speedy and successful termination" that Congress has
since, from time 10 time, granted all the supplies OF
and money 1t was for this object our ctzen-s0lders
rushed the frontier and drove back the invading foe
was for this army crossed the Rio Grande and took
full vengeance for American blood shed upon American
soil" II still for speedy and successful peace that
our gallant army stormed Monterey, environed Vera
Cruz, and battered down its walls, and compelled the
surrender Of its castle twas for this they carried the
heights of Cerro Gordo and then descending into the
valley of Mexico, achieved those glorious and unpar
aeled victories which scattered to the winds the armies
OF Mexico, overthrow her government, and placed her
All these things have been done by Congress and by
the army for the purpose OF bringing this to spec
dy and successful termination. Now, sir. let inquire
what the President has done in aid of that great purpose
What has he done to bring about a speedy and sue
cessfu termination OF this war? Nothing; aye, sir,
than nothing For he did, by wild and success
full project, of his continuance, for time at least
enable the enemy, under the direction of Santa Anna, to
proong the war; and he is now entertaining such
schemes OF conquest as VIII not only proong the war,
but must render IFS termination DISASTROUS to the true honor
and interests of country. Entrusted by tbs eonsi
tuition with the power of making peace, and authorized
70 70 ae bs 81 @ bas
appears me- gnaly failed to execute that high power
and to discharge that responsible trust He has adopted
whether he intended not has delayed and prevented
the declared purpose OF Congress. He has added new
objects for the prosecution of the He has INDUCED
in schemes of conquest. He has gone on, from
step to step, until the war, which had but mere fee
bic existence the LIST of May, 1916, has grown
into such strength and power to defy control
Collision OF troops has advanced to national hoses
repeng invasion from soil has become invasion by
US; defensive made offensive and aggressive; the
dispute about boundary line has been converted into
war for boundless territorial acquisitions The chairman
OF the Committee on Foreign Relations Mr. SEWER said
the other day. in his speech, " that this had been
prosecuted by the President in the face of an opposition
unparalleled in any country" If that honorable senator
intended by this charge to be understood that there
any party in this country who had opposed the prosecu
the act OF the 18th May 1876, beg leave most respect
fully TO deny the charge On the contrary. the President
has had every aid afforded him by all parties in the pros
eculion OF the for that purpose But if the senator
means that there is opposition to the prosecution of
the war for the conquest Of the whole apart Of Mex
en- mase are opposed to it, large portion OF your own
party isopposed ot; majority of this Senate believe. is
opposed to know that majority OF the other house
OF Congress opposed to it, the feeling OF the country is
adverse 10 it, the constitution is against 1t the safety OF
the Union forbds it, This is, indeed, unparalleled
the executive determined to prosecute this to
results SO nmica to the opinions and interests OF the coun
Try We are to have peace short OF the humiliation
OF MeNco mus has come to pass, through the exer-
clse OF Executive power and Executive policy that that
iie war OF collision, which thought to crush at
blow by our power has advanced from strength TO
strength, until has at last chained the nation TO its
oody car, and, confused and COMPOUNDED by the start
ing successes OF our arms told that there is
no eXricaton but in throwing the 0ns of government
INTO the hands OF destiny and bidding the blind god drive
on Can be that this nation of law, and of ORDER and
egon Is prepared to commit its present character and
us future glory to chancel Are twenty millions Of
Christian men all at turn Turks, and, forgetting
ther high duties and deep responsibilities to their God
ana country, submit to the guidance of blind destiny