The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-28
In the same message. he communicated to Congress

etween the Nu-ces and the Del Noe and 70 rspel any
~ The Mexican forces Our squadron in the Gulf was or
dered to cooperate with the army."
Why sambered the watchful guardians of the const
tuiion, when Inc President made this astounding an
nouncement' Why was the tongue of condemnation
SILENT when he thus confessed an act his part which,
papable violation of this sacred charter of our Liberties
Why was not discovered them that our army encamped
upon disputed soil
On the nth of Nav 1916 the President communicated
to Congress the state OF things between the United S'aes
and Mexico. and the circumstances by which Gen Taylor
was surrounded. That message was accompanied by
despatch of General TAYLOR dated April 20, 1916, from
which read the following extract:
'.Ho,ttes may be considered as commenced; and
have this deemed TO call upon the govern
or of Texas for four regiments of volunteers Two 10 be
mounted and serve on foot As some delay must oc
rnor Of Louisiana send four regiments Of infantry
oon as practicable This will cons auxiliary force
the Wih and H. SHOULD BE- INTO
rue COUNTRY Trust the department. viii approve
in this matter and viii give the necessary orers
to the staff departments Tor the supply OF this large addi
tional force"
the march to the Rio Gande but having arrived there,
and hostilites having commenced, he said the war
should be carried into the enemys country" and asked
the be furnished him for this purpose As yet
had occurred to the minds OF honorable gentlemen
that such war would be aggressive" and "unoonai
tufional" and ''unholy" and "odous" But with the
| utmost promptitude and with unanmily unparal eled
the annals OF legislation, Congress recognised the
existence of the war, and placed ten millions OF dollars
iden and for what' For the OF General Taylor
and his alant little army from immediate danger' By
means; for must have been obvious to every sensi
BILE that it would require weeks TO organize and put
forward formidable force upon the rdstant banks OF
the Rio Grande But was, the bill declared pros
ecue the to "speedy and successful iermnaion'-
push it, General Taylor SAID 1t should be, into the
| enemys country"
Sir a, that time patriotism rose above party consd
eratons The blood OF Colonel Cross and OF Thornton's
brave Dragons cried for vengeance and the heart OF
every American throbbed responsive to the call re-
peat it, sir, all this camor about disputed territory and
the order for General Taylor advance 10 the Rio Grande
being uncons utional and the of the war, is
aerhought, originating with desperate politicians and
is kept up by honorable senator's but by party
gers throughout the country for the purpose OF posa-
ting this administration
| We find ourselves thus engaged in with Mexi-
co. If have been so fortunate as to make myself
telligible TO the Senate, think have shown that the
war exists by the act of that republic; that she, with
out just cause, dissolved friendly relations with the
United States, consequence of the OF Tex
as, when, by the very terms of that measure, open
ed the door for amicabe adjustment; that she obsti-
naely and perfdiousy rejected our friendly offer OF
negotiation, twice made upon the faith of her promise
TO receive envoy for that purpose, and proclaimed
that War ,cas the only recourse OF te Mcrcan govern
ment that the order for General Taylor to march to
the Rio rande not the OF the was, under
the circumstances, prudent and wise; advised by
General Taylor and his advice followed by the President
hasten the settlement - that Mexico actually to the nita-
live in hostlies by the murder OF Colonel Cross the at
tack upon Thorntons dragons, and Walkers Texas
:
that the territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande
is disputed territory in any sense, involving rea
sonable doubt of tte that the Rio Gande is the proper
and true boundary between Texas and Mexico and hav
ing been treated by the legislation OF Congress in
tending the laws of the United States over it, the Presi
dent had the rght-aye was bound-o place such force
there would protect 1t against the threatened invasion
| of Mexico
How has this war been conducted on our par' Up to
the 10Th of October last forces had been engaged
moi less than regular battles and many affairs
and in every instance proved victorious against the
my with from two to eight times our numerical strength
When the future historian shall record the battles OF Pao
Alto Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Buena Vista, Vera
Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreas Churubusco, Moline del
Rev. and CnapuItepec, he will contribute chapter
surpassed in thrilling interest, and the glory OF military
achievement, in the annals OF the world. California
New Mexico, Chihuahua Coahula, New Leon, Tamaui-
pas and other States together with the capital OF the
public, are in our possession 1t Is true, these great
achievements have cost the lives of many gallant men;
but, having fallen in the cause OF their country, We
wreathe their names with garlands, while we plant the
cypress upon their haowed graves. Nor, in the midst of
these scenes of carnage has single act of cruelty
injustice furnished our military escucheon Property, re-
igon and female innocence, have been protected and
credy guarded by gallant and victorious commanders
| The emblem of peace has accompanied the cleaning
| sword and more than one occasion has our proud
eagle paused in his fight of victory, and dropped his half
closed WINGS TO the thunder which he bore in
his alons whilst with extended beak, he rendered the
olive branch The nations OF Europe look with
amazemen and well they may, for all has been achieved
by citzen soldiers, drawn from the walks OF domestic
lite and agricultural pursuits IN response to their coun-
trys call and gives demonstration, astounding it is
rue the ncredulous thrones OF the Old World, that
republican government without the aid OF costly standing
armies cultvates the breasts OF her people not only
the spirit of freedom, but the chivay that ready
to defend IT.
Now sir the bill upon your desk brings up the ques-
ton whether, the event of the failure OF pending
goations the war shall be abandoned prosecuted.
Honorable senators think it nexpedient and improper
to press the passage of this bill until the fate OF the treaty
shall be decided My opinion on this point is simply
this: If the treaty should be ratified by Mexico, and
peace thus obtained then the passage of this
can do no possible HARM But if the treaty should be
ected, il highly important that be prepared for
vigorous prosecution of the trust the treaty will
be ratified but if not, it will show that Mexico play
ing the same farce upon which she performed before
the gates of her capIia-usng the sembance OF negota
prepared for vigorous and speedy operations. When
small boy at SCHOOL, read OF an old man who went out
one morning into his orchard and found lad up one
| of his trees stealing apples. lie requested him to
come DOWN but this only excited his laughter and mpu
dence He then began to pelt him with tufts OF grass
but this mode of warfare proved equally Intellectual
Then, "-sad the old man, "slnce neither words nor
stones" These soon brought the "young sauce box
to the ground, with hearty promises not to be guilty OF
the like again This simple fable Mr. President md
Gates exactly the policy which would henceiorlh adopt
towards Mexico in the event OF her rejection OF the
treaty We shall have tried words and urs OF grass
long enough it will then be high time 10 what virtue
there is in stones AS yet Mexico has experienced com
she must feel if she refuses the measure OF peace
offered and feel sorey in all her national interests
But il is sad the passage of this bill will tend 10 pre-
vent her ratification of the treaty, because she will
gard il as an act of and intimidation, Illuminating
to her national pride Not 1t has not been her