The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-26

4
OF one hundred and fifty millions of dollars OF which
by lar the largest portion due TO the subjects of
archical governments IN Europe Ii Mexico has right
to pay her debts by the cession of her territories has
not any other government, whose duty it protect It's
own citizens and obtain indemnity for their Just claims
The same right that We have to demand that the claimants
shall be paid IN erritory' a nd how we sister re-
PUBLIC, sulufy ourselves before the world in making
solemn declaration that will not look with conpa-
oency upon the establishment of any monarchcal gov
eminent upon this contnent-that will resist the
sion OF any territory any foreign government-when
we are ourselves asserting the right Of Mexico to
Ter dominion the States of that conederacy
faction for the claims OF own citizens 1 should
like to be consistent before the world would make
avowal Of right claimed by us, which would equal
| ~ concede TO any other government. -
But, sir, deny entirely the power of Mexico to cede
either TO monaichca government to this republic,
any portion OF the sovereignty of the people OF that con-
fedeacy, without their consent deny that the govern
men OF Mexico has right 10 cede 10 the government of
the United States jurisdiction Tamaupas, for the
purpose OF satisfying the demands OF citizens against
ern this time to discharge. deny that she has any
more power to do So than the United States would have
to cede one OF the States of this Union for the purpose of
dlscharglng any claims which might exist against the
government on the part OF the people OF any foreign gov
eminent ask, Mr. President, is il in the power OF
any Of the States Of this unioh-oi Mississippi, for
example, or OF cry other State, owing debts which,
az this moment, II may not feel itself able TO dis
charge-to cede portion of its sovereignty for the
power' Ii not, Why's Because, ike every other free
government ours is based upon the great principle that
sovereignty rests in the people, and is inalenabe
without the assent of the people We are, believe.
principle, which calls for the avowa by this republic Of
the doctrine that we can deprive another people of their
which have 0 against st a fhS s s ef s
accordance with that spirit of rapacty which, in other
countries has led to the conquess made by kings claim
ing TO govern by divine right We hold different theo-
ny. We have promulgated different doctrine hereto
fore We claim that all men are to be regarded capa
BILE OF segovernmen-tha in regard to their POLITICAL
erty, and freedom II is boast sir, cherish these
principles to manifest sympathy wherever the spirit
Of repubicanism exists, Europe now feels the influence
ment begin to be acknowledged Are We then, about
to esabsha different doctrne Are about relapse
into dsfspotsm Are we to offer in our policy ustiiea
vine right OF kings to indulge in racy and conquest
hope not. And if the President Of the United States
asks to wage the with Mexico for the purpose of
forcing from her cession Of her territory, ii due to
hint is due to ourselves-that should respectfully
ask OF HIM TO inform us upon what principle IN the gov
eminent OF that republic we authorized to demand
that cession. wish the President inform whether,
i Mexico should cede to us this territory which we are
thus seeking to acquire we should thereby acquire
right independently OF the will of those thus coded to
us, to exercise dominion them; whether we shall
then be obliged 10 make new treaty with those who
are thus attempted to be transferred, before shall
qure any right whatever them. do not deny- is
not necessary that should deny-the power of one re-
public feeling its inability to maintain its sovereign
, to merge Itself in that of another, done by the
republic to acquire territory in the manner in which
Texas acquired, without the consent of the people.
republics and it has always been conceded that
archy had the power to cedc territory have an extract
from we'll known writer International law, which
applies to this subject
all il. members cannot abandon them, and it is under
obligation TO them of maintaining them i'll the rank of
with their rank and liberty account of any advantages
may promise itself from such negotiation They
o ibars.
the authority of the State to promote in CONCERT their COM
m1n %s herd 1 ID II is disposal like
This is the basis upon which that confederacy was
formed The States, OF which it was composed united
themselves with the confederacy forming the republic Of
Mexico for the purpose of being protected and governed
by it, not for the purpose of being transferred like cattle
TO another for the discharge OF the debts OF
that they might be dsmembered and coded away by the
federal government is equally at with the principles
of our government and those of the government of
Mexico
But says the senator from Indiana Mexico is not re-
public-she is anarchy If SO, ask, when did she
cease to be republics When the United States declared
against herwhen the act of Congress MAY 49, lS46)
passed. it declared that "by the act of the
public OF Mexico, state OF war existed between that
republic and the United States" We, therefore, recog
Missed Mexico a republic at that period. When did
she, them to be republic Ii she has ceased to
be republic it is owing 10 the conquests of
But trust that that conclusion Is not yet complete,
that Mexico has ceased to be OF the nations OF the
earth. trust that the time will arrive in which
Mexico shall cease to be independent republic main
tanning and cherishing the great principles upon which
our own government is based, and under which have
enjoyed for many years such remarkable degree of
prosperity
Mr.. HANNEGAN / shall detain the Senate but an
instant, and beg the indulgence Of the senator from Rhode
Island who has the floor the special order AS to
the position assumed by the senator from Connec-
tcut that if Mexico has the right to cedc her territory to
for any purpose she has the right at the time TO
cede it to European monarchies have only to say that
involves far higher principle than has yet entered into
this dscusson-a principle which | presume never
will be settled, until the hour shall arrive when the
tempt shall be made by any European power to establish
government upon this continent out OF any existing
government 1t involves far higher principle than any
involved this will be lime enough to discuss
it when the day arrives which brings it up before us
The senator asks if Mexico has ceased 10 be public
by whose act has she lost that characer' He asks if
we have not gone there with the sword and febrand,
pulling down her affairs, and in lieu of established
government, giving the land to wild anarchy ! refer
the senator history, for reply to these questions
refer him the history of Mexico, from the downfall
OF Itrbde to the present hour for the proof of her hav
ing been an anarchy. Her history is made up of
continued series of bloody revolutions, in which
has no fundamental government fundamental law that
has ever been recognised Santa Anna and Bustamente
and Paedes-one military usurper after another has, by
his arbitrary win, constituted her fundamental law; and
We instead of being her despoies, have gone to her
were to scatter the of Heaven Texas wresei
herself from the clutches Of that anarchca government
and see what she is to- day-a government of civilization
law and Christianity Similar will be the result, doubt
not with regard to all the territory that may take
from Mexico, if we take any. do not know that we
shall be able to take any; but so far the subectmat
| shat