Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-01-26

within the asserted limits was clearly portion Of
Mexico. The treaty being rejected the resolution
d the list March, 1916, cameto the Senate. That,
100, was open TO the same objection as the treaty
1t left the boundary to depend on the claim orrTex
as. 1t was impossible for those who thought the
treaty was obnoxious that ground and ON that
ground voted against it, TO give it their support.
But they did vote for it, after getting it amend
ed by the Insertion of an alternative mode. Sir,
how happened it that this change of form rcconcil-
cd them TO the measure? Could it have been for
any other reason than because they were satisfied
that that alternative would be pursued by the Pres
ident! Ssch alternative obviated the objection of
an unsettled and unjust boundary 1t looked 10 ne
COLLATION. as the remedy TO avoid all difficulty either
with Texas or Mexico. 1t looked to annexation.
without the hazard Of war, and was designed for
the pure and patriotic purpose of maintaining the
peace and honor of the United States. Now, sir,
do not allege that this was the ground of their
support and still less that they had ally assurance
from the President on the subject but do alleoe
mat can conceive no other reason for their vote
upon the resolution ut all in keeping with the cha
racters for high intelligence, firmness of purpose
and patriotism, than that they thought they had an
assurance that their mode of annexation would be
pursued Sir, how did il turn out? The ink was
hardly dry with which the resolution was recorded
and the name of the President attached to it, be-
lore, without going through the form even of a
moments subsequent debera,ion, a messenger was
despatched to the government of Texas, inviting
her into the Union, under the first alernatiye-and
under the first alternative she came into the Union
Now, SIT, charge upon the President, that this
hasty and ill-advsed step was The remote cause Of
the present war. charge it upon him, that il he
had acted prudently, and cautiously, and wisely.
he would have proceeded under the other alternn-
tive, and have saved the dreadful eiusion Of blood
the world has been compelled to witness.
charge 1t upon him that the course which he
did pursue was inconsistent with that uniform poll
cy OF his predecessors TO avoid, TO seek TO avoid
by every possible and honorable means, that direst
| OF all national evils-war.
SIR 1t is no defence that Congress authorized
the step he did take. They to be sure authorized
1t, but did not command ii. They left with him,
unwIsely, think-certainly l would not have
done 1.-THE discretion TO adopt it. But he knew
must have known--hat some of the wiscst and
purest OF statesmen predicted that it would end in
war aud that some of the wisest and purest of the
statesmen belonging TO his political party en-
tertalned that opinion He knew that minority
of the Senate, hi, constitutional advisers. were
firmly of that opinion. He knew they had prompt
ly rejected treaty upon that very ground and that
alone and yet in defiance of all this, Inc hcadlonr
takes the obnoxious step, and the war ensues-
The responsibility is upon his head, and heavy,
and overwhelming is tina, responsibility.
SIr annexation of itself would not have been war
Mexico had no right to make it cause of war
Texas independence had been too long established
and undisturbed, To have her absolute RIGHT of SOW
| eIegnty called in Observation-Disclosures bv the
principal powers of the world. all had right to
say. that revolution had rpened into tile, and es-
peciaily had the United States, the neghbor of the
new government, that right. Nor do | believe,
Mr.. PRESIDENT, that Mexico, proud and arrogant as
she thcn was, would have dared, on account of the
treaty ci annexation, 10 make war upon the United
States No, sir, it was the manner, not the fact.
II was the rashnesS, and under the circumstances
III my opinion, the utter rashncsS Of the Presidents
course repeat, therefore, my settled conviction.
mat the President is on this account aaswerable for
The war. But, upon the second ground 20 which |
have referred, his liability is even vet more mani
lest, and without shadow Of justification or excuse
! DIT, need not say that impute no improper mo-
/ tlves to the President. He has no doubt | hone.
! acted under mistaken sense OF duty But in NV
opinion SIT, the order to march our army 10 the Rio
! Grande was fragrant violation of that duty-was
ili-advIsed, reckless, and clearly against the spirit
of the constitution
| Dir, nc could not but have known that such n
measure was likely to bring on hosiiliies. He
could not but have known that such hostilities
would he in the judgment ofthe nation, war. The
war making power is exclusively vested in Con
gross, Tor Wise, high and vital reasons of public
! policy. No man would be mad enough TO repose
such dreaded power in the executive. The Sc
curly OF freedom and peace demands that those
VINO are TO pay the expenses Of war, should alone
have the right TO declare it. Congress was then in
session; why Were they not consulted Was il
apprehended that they would not by such a step
hazard the peace Of the nation? Was it because
1T was believed mat they would resort TO every Dos
slble effort before taking step so likely 10 inyove
US? Sir, hope not, am bound in respect to the
President to believe not. But, sir, the fact re-
mains Is there a citizen in the United States of
any intelligence who can doubt that Congress never
would, in the then condition of things, have suffer
ed, 1t they could have prevented it, much less or
dered that march?
charge therefore upon the President that as far
as the United States and himself are concerned. he
is the author Of the war He and he only. and nm,
on his hand rests the blood which has crimsoned
Its many glorious battle fields. But this sir. is =
question between the country and the President
Mexico had no right on that account 10 assail DIR
fag.
TO her it made no difference under what author
ny OF this government our troops were on the Rio
Grande. We had, repeat, and | hope have
shown. right to SEND them there, and her attack
upon them was, as regards her and ourselves, war
actually begun by her
Or, our ilag has waved in proud glory over eve
ry field of conflict. The nations heart has heat
high with pride and gratitude TO the brave spirits
who have borne it, for their matchless eallantry
and skill. Upon the nations brow no blush need
to be seen. They were not permitted TO avoid the
horrd strife. Their President. without their know
ledge, rashIy involved the nations honor. That
honor was then illegally assaed They had no
choice but TO vindicate it, Theirs is all the plorv
which has been achieved.
The President hereafter, when in retirement of
private life, and reviewing the scenes Of these
bloody conflicts, however it may be now, will take
no JOY IN the remembrance of our triumphs The
a cOnScjpuce will foil hin, -,