The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-19
DEFERRED DEBATE.
MONDAY, JANUARY II, 1sIs.-h continual
SENATE.
GENERAL scoTr's PLANS.

Re,oiued That the President the United States
quesied to lay before the Senate all ,he Plans estimates
ION best adapted attain the objects of the and his
opinion touching the military means necessary to accom-
rsh objects of government in any and all the alter
native views that have been considered by the Executive
90 close not Inconsistent, in the opinion oil the Presi-
dent, with the public service.
Mr.. CASS | would ask the senator to consent TO the
posponement of the consideration OF the resolution until
tomorrow The senator from Arkansas (Mr SEwgRl
is absent and there can be no harm IRON twenty-iour
Mr. NANGUM | have no objection to postpone
en except that the information sought by the resolu
ton is of vast Importance TO the formation OF an inelli
gent opinion in reference to measures pending before
The Senate; and which, allow me to say, pushed TO
consummaton with a degree of zeal and pertinaciiy
which have rarely Witnessed upon any occasion SO
early the session. II wos give ne grest pleasure TO
ciy with the suggestion OF the honorable senator from
Michigan, were no, that the information which is de-
sired is OF the very highest importance at this very mo-
ment in order to enable the Senate to act intelgenty
hope therefore that the Senate vii proceed to the CON
sideraon of the resolution will make no other re-
mark, unless II should be deemed necessary hope the
resolution will be adopted
Mr.. CASS | do hope the senator from North Carroll
ma will consent to posponement OF the resolution.
If he do not | must be compelled TO vote against It.
cannot conceive, IN the present condition OF affairs,
whilst actually engaged IN war, that II would be
proper communicate the plans of the government
would give the enemy information vastly useful TO them
in making their preparations. We can easily conceive
that such would be the case Is true !nal sne usua
ceve that the objection which have Just stated has sui
fcent force TO make the call improper at this time The
senator says that the measures before the Senate nave
been pushed very pernaciously cannot conceive why
the senator has made such an assertion Inc olll Tor
raising ten regiments was introduced three weeks SINCE
four weeks since, believe-and now In the sec
ond week OF its discussion. There has been DISPOSE
ton any part of the Senate TO force that bill through
without discussion. All have asked is, that should
be considered discussed and voted up upon u TINS a ee
that this pertnacity do not say that there is an In
Simultaneous need of this additional force But hold, as
was better said by the honorable senator from Mlssissp-
p Nlr DAvsl than it can be said by me- that that force
ought to be raised and sent 10 Mexico before the slcky
sets and that, in order to effect that we should
take some time to put the bill through the Senate and
still longer in The House. We may be advanced far IN
the session. do the best can before these bills can be
passed, and the be put in possession OF this
foce repeat then, that cannot perceive any ground
Tor the charge that the measure has been pcnaciousy
urged upon the Senate renew the suggestion that the
resolution be allowed TO lie over till tomorrow.
Mr. MANGUM did not charge pertnacity in ref
erence to this upon any portion OF the Senaie
alluded exclusively to the honorable chairman OF the
Committee on Military Affairs; and submit to the Sem
ate and all who have observed the proceedings OF the
body in reference to this measure, whether the charge
nn sss * 4s nss Sir when the hon
MED the benefit of the usual of the Senate in ref
erence to the consideration of his resolutions appeal to
the recollection OF senator's whether there was not great
portunty of addressing the Senate All must remember
the events of last Thursdays the repeated calls of the
yeas and nays the question OF adjournment, with ref
erence to this very question. ALI must remember the
earnesness with which the honorable chairman of the
Committee Military Affairs urged the necessity OF
early II not immediate action on the bill before them
However, leave that sir small matter and pass to
one OF vastly greater Importance aude to the sentiment
enuncated here by the honorable senator this morning
that would be emnently improper for the Congress OF the
United States to be informed of the Executives designs
and the Executives nsructonsto the commander CHIEF
OF the army in Mexico protest sir most soemny against
tive bodies of this country which shall induce them to
upon Executive who discoses only by glimpses, not
by halves the purposes believed to be entertained by
him. hold sir, that the great legislative faculty OF the
country should not be exercised at all upon question
SO momentous as this, upon mere faith reposed IN the
executive branch OF the government whe does not degn
regard important, that look upon the question
now pending as bringing up the great issue between
despotlsm and liberty regard the measures here pre-
sented usonly half disclosed to usas looking to
spirit of universal domination and absolute conquest
of the whole of Mexico If the country is ripe for that
IN my poor Judgment the country IS ready to surrender ITS
free institutions. The policy, as half disclosed by the
honorable chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs
in the extract from letter which was read here the
other day. indicates, in my opinion designs from which
the inference is inevitable and cannot be resisted that
executive policy seeks for universal domination IN Mex
leo, and the conquest OF the whole country. That, IN
my humble Judgment raises the question, distinctly and
emphatically between desposm on the one hand, and
liberty on the other; and the more sir, as the EXecu
tive of this country does not degn 10 communicate to us
MS VleWS and, as the honorable chairman OF the CoHl-
nlttee Military Aairshe trusted and able organ OF
the administration here-tells to faces, that II
would be improper TO communicate to us the designs of
the Executive. oppose sir, sach a course OF policy;
and frankly say that under avOwals OF this character
anxious as am to strengthen the of the government
Tor all legitimate purposes--an anxiety which has been
evnced by all my votes upon this question: shall feel
myself driven to the necessity of refusing supplies, either
OF men money for any increment of the army so long
as this doctrine avowed by the senator from Michigan
shall be maintained
Sir my attention directed 10 order to which have
noticed reference, but for the first time will
not detan the Senate by reading it. suppose 1t Is Ia
nllar to other senator's understand that this order on
The part OF the general commanding chief is to occu
py every important position throughout Mexico.
SENATOR. Read the first clause
MIR, MANGUM This is marked order 376," and is
as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY,
"Mcxico, December Is, 1917.
u This is about to spread itself and to
Ply the republic OF Mexico until the latter shall o
peace IN terms acceptable the government of the United
States.n
The whole OF the republic Sir it cannot be disguised
Inc DISCUSSES too thn the veil transparent All
the dlsavowals that have had that the President does
NOT entertain any purpose OF conquest come at last to
ms that the Executive illustrate his admins
tration by absorbing the whole of Mexico il the OF
the country VIII sustain him desire to know, sir,
whether the general chief for any legitimate or proper
or reasonable purpose, desires has suggested this
crease OF the army, amounting TO thirty regiments, the
bulls tor which are now upon your table Yet we are moi
to have this information! II would be eminentlv i'm
proper to disclose the views OF the Executive in regard TO
Mexico Disclose them to whom srl Not to the Mex
leans The general order of the commander chief has
already disclosed his purposes, presumed 10 be the pur.
the Mexcans themselves but emnenty improper to dis.
close them to the American people who, trust, no,