Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-02-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
IN sENATE-FEBRuARy 2, ls4s.
THE MEXICAN WAR.

Mr. BELL Mr.. President believe it is in bad taste to
or any apology for addressing the Senate the ground OF
feeble health, of inadequate prepaaon or or any other
cause Every gentleman is liberty speak be SILENT as
he may determine for himself will therefore, make none
for the remarks propose TO submit although they may not
be characterized by much novelty But this is question o.
such unusual importance that think allowance may
be made for gentlemen although they may fail to oer any
thing fresh interesting after discussion SO long continued
and with such ability, both sides of the chamber Indeed
upon subject presenting wide field Tor debae ana SO
rich and varied in its topics as the present. must be the
fault Of the speaker If he offer nothing somewhat new
This is question, SIR, which could not ies ~
maintaining silence ! cannot say WIN he senator IRON
North Carolina Mr. BADGER that had this measure neel
permitted pass without debae or DIVISION by yeas and
nays would have been without expressing my views
upon it, feel bound pursue different course Tor seSera
reasons This is question upon which the pubic mind
peculiarly sensitive.
The first impulse Of the patriotic and rejecting part OF the
in section of the county, Is IN iavor oil all
supplies which may be demanded by the department entrusted
with the direction Of the military operations of the Govern
men when is fragrant This measure bears the I'M
press of Executive recommendation and those who oppose
will be strictly reckoned with The people will require sui
cient BY the theory OF our SYSTEM our Votce Is mol
much that of the constituency we represent
came Washington expecting TO give my support TO every
such the present that might be brought before the
Senate and doing would be responding TO the gene
raj sentiment OF the State which part represent that
sentiment existed few months ago. am proud TO have It
my power say the people Of that State that they VIII
permit considerations Of party interest or prjndce 10 EN-
barrass the in the prosecution of existing
whatever objections they have 10 Its og,n or me oVes
and objects with which is waged unless those obsca sna
appear mschevous and uinou to the country Those OBJ
ects as heretofore understood though approved by
large portion of them yet there seemed to be no other
mode of terminating the consistently with the avowed
Icy of the Administration than by vigorous prosecution OF
it. they favorable that But since the fur
the development the views of the Executive in the late
sage and other official documents of them clearly enough
and others daky stated and shadowed FORTH must suppose
that corresponding change in public opinion and sentiment
upon this subject will follow
Again. sir consider that to vote for this measure Is to ap
PROVE the fullest extent the policy of the Administration
the further prosecution of this To sit in silence and
to suffer pass without remonstrance would be an acqu-
in that policy in the OF those who are now
silent when hereafter the evil upon the country to reract
deny They say that they not sufficiently
foewarned by the Administration of what would might be
the final aud rhomen,ous result of this policy.
believe, with two exceptions, the entire Senate has
heretofore promptly voted every supply, both OF men and
money demanded by the Executive for the prosecution of this
The Senator from Illinois, (Mr. DoUGLAss) in his
speech yesterday insisted that the Wings of the Senate
had suddenly changed their tactics and n opposition
10 their former liberal II my purpose sir 10 show
that the Administration has changed its policythat it is
longer what it was twelve months ago.
But, Mr. President must be INDUCED in few other pre-
mnay remarks before proceed TO the main purpose Of
argument.
shall not stop to discuss of the questions which dis
tngushed Senators seemed to think of Importance, and
which they have employed much close and cogen argument
shall stop inquire whether the President by his order
to General Taylor of the 9Th of January 1885, intended TO
bling whether he ought have had the sagacty
to perceive that such would be the necessary effect of that
order, whether such 10 fact its necessary result
shall not inquire whether Mexico the United States
mtted the first of military aggression upon disputed terri
tory; nor shall delay inquire whether the
sltutonay brought is enough for that it exists
that has received the sanction Of the Legislative department
OF the Government whatever may think Of the notable de-
vice by which that sanction exorted shall no, inquire
whether the not have been avoided though thnl
might and should shall not inquire whether the Presi
dent acuated by settled
quirng territory by conquest shall examine the cir
cumances connected with the origin Of the prove tha
is unjust and niquitous If for myself wou
rather seek veil the record blot it forever
But in saying this | upon the
honorable Senator'S others who take different view Of tn
question They doubtless have deep and abiding conviction
OF the injustice Of this war; and their exalted Of duty
themselves and their country impes them TO proclaim hi
their honest conviction. But shall neither seek faster
this conviction upon my mind upon that of others
For myself choose indulge the pleasing reflection, the u
sion, iii be one that up this period least such
ward development Of the tendencies of system has
red that the constituted authorities selected by the free
enlightened suages Of the people have in the
power and the unbded dominion perpetrate,
50 great outrage upon neghboing naton and upon sh
rights Of humanity.
Sir take this occasion to say that have little sympah,
for the Mexican republic the Mexican rulers
recent period So far they could, by their example, they
have brought opprobum and disgrace upon the
institutions, and upon the very Of republic have
at all Tor those iahe gasconadng Chiefs who have
oppressed the countrymen with their exacons
and all the evils Of faction and anarchy can sympathze
with the honest and enlightened patriots there are doubtless
some such IN Mexico, who struggling maintain the
honor of their country, the integrity their soil and the x
istence Of their nationality sympahize too with the
Of unoendng inhabitants the who ar,
the victims Of Bot, repeat have no sympathy r,
their glorious facous Chiefs any government
their founding
shall further avail myself Of this occasion state that d
hold Mexico be altogether bameess Of this war; and
all its bloody consequences neither in lis origin tn
conduct Of it, their part Ia the revolution in Texas
the circumstances Of connivance if Of encouragement
the part Of the Government Of the United States attending tha
event; IN the final exaon Of Texas without first negoat
ing the consent Of Mexico, she might well feel her nationn
pride wounded-shc might WELL the weaker Power, con
ceive that she had been dealt with in that spirit OF conc
atom and courtesy which the professions Of amy par
made proper In truth, the annexation of Texas under nj
the circumstances preceding and attending it, very
neighbory act on part do Think without pretend
ing TO be well informed the subject that the character
country was duly consulted and respected in the
which that act was contaminated Then Mexico had
cause Of complaint against this Government But, on tho
oher hand, we bad causes II complaint against Mexico.
need not enumcrae them DO not say there was sufficient
cause OF war; for that might imply that il expeden 10 de-
clare war before The collision o the Rio Grande bu
Tue grounds OF these complaints had been removed
she had perseyered ~ her hostile policy towards the United
States after all the usual Of concaon and amcabe
adjustment such as we have cmlyed towards other and
more powerful nations under similar had been
exhausted on our part, cannot that we would not have
been justified IN declaring y any code of public morals
or Of international law recognised among civilized nations
Hence am not Of opinion that any thing in the mode
H. AZ.