The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-05-13
Interesting Debate in the u. s.
Senate.

the Courier 81 Enquirer 1t is quite inter
esting:
WASHINGTON, May A, 1913.
Mr. Hannegan presented The following bill
from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 10
whom was referred the Presidents Message
upon the present state of Yucatan.
Gan net to enable the President of the u
nited States to take temporary military occu-
patton Of Yucatan.
Sec. l. BE it enacted ,hy the Senate and
House ofRepresentqtives ofthe United States
of America in Congress assembled, That
the President ofthe United States be, and he
is hereby authorized to take temporary
military occupation of Yucatan, in repeliing
the incursions of the Indian savages now O.
verrunning and devastating that country.
Sec..2. And he it further enacted, That
the President be, and he is hereby authoriz-
ed and empowered TO furnish at such terms
and conditions as may deem proper, to
the white portion of Yucatan, such arms, am
munitions, ordnance and other military
means as they may need, to enable them TO
resist and repel the Indian hostilities now
waged against them,and TO restore peace and
security TO their country.
| Sec. 3. And be il further enacted, That
the President be, and he is hereby AUTHORIZED
and empowered to accept the services of an
the place of such as may be Withdrawn from
their present duty, by virtue ofthis act,provi-
ded their services shall be required. The
same to be raised for service during the war
with Mexico, agreeably to the provision of
the act of May 18th, 1916, and March Sd, le-
A."
Mr. flanagan moved that the considera-
ton of the bill be made the special order for
tomorrow.
MIR Badger was opposed to the motion. He
considered that more time should be granted
before its consideration was entered into.
Mr. Calhoun agreed with the Senator from
North Carolina, (Mr Badger( 1.-THE Sena-
tor from Indiana (Mr Hannegan) would pro-
pose some other day, it would be better
Mr. Hannegan did not feel disposed to post
pone the bill. 1t was important in the pres
ent emergency. If we are sincere in our
professions of commiseration, we mnst act at
opce--n day, week may involve its utility.
1t was for this reason, and because every SEN
ator knew the fact of the case, that he moved
SO early day.
Mr. Calhoun-~Mr President, do hope the
Senator will not refuse the delay, and not act
forever upon impulses. see that before the
: 9TH of March, the Commissioner of Yucatau
notified this Government ofthe state ofaffars
there. The Executive took its time, and way
should not we? Make it the order of Monday
next.
Mr. Cass-h appears, Mr. President, that
this is one of the things which to be well
done must be done speedily. There never
was nation placed in SO favorable posture
to do the duty assigned it. The country is
in favor oft, and l believe there is not u
Senator who has not made up his mind on the
subject. 1t appears 10 me to be a case of
crying necessity war of determination be
:. -. 1
tunity TO vindicate our character before the
world.
Mr. Foote felt surprised at the attempt t.
procrastinate the action.
Mr. Calhoun had no idea of procrastinatins
action in the matter. He merely wished
day or two delay, IN order to understand thu
subject and investigate the evidence.
Mr. Calhoun did not know the message
yvnS printed till this morning. He had cas-
his eve ever Il, however and saw enough t
imdnce ON TIN, part of Senators the creates
caution. He beii. ed there was urgent nee
essity for relief but the EXECUTIVE n9a no
peen very prompt in the matte. accl'o y
the letter of Mr. Sierra, of 9TH March VIZ
stated that he had before that time given DIS
tressing pictures of the destruction of life
and property at Yucatap. Well, if the Elk
ecutive could take from the 9TH of March and
gress, surely the Senate might take few
days to investigate it also. He Mr. Calhoun
was not to be minated. He knew his duty
They were once driven into war by precipi-
taiion. He hoped they would not be driven In
to another. There was not sufficient infor-
nation before the Sepate about the Yucntar
difficulties was no report from the
Commodore of the station, and one days
,, delay should be given before they were hur-
ried into a decision.
Mr. Calhoun desired to say one word in
explanation. His object in speaking wher
the message was laid before the Senate, was
to express his regret that the President should
mix up question ofhumanity with other con
siderations.
4 l must be allowed to act on my own judg
ment, whether owe respect to MIR Polk, mus
be according to my own opinion and not thu
opinion ofthc Senator. In my humble opln
! ion, the annexation might have been settled
t without war. In my opinion, It required
great deal Of management TO make war, ant
= could not have been done without misman
agement. was going to say, further, 1t re
quired great deal of culpable stupidity
n The ordering General Taylor to the Bio Gran
de they believed would not lead to war, bu
2 is there man in the country who will say
= did not? 1t is known il was my opinion from
: the beginning, and said so to the Presiden
and to the Senate, belieye the measure
now before the Senate, sir, has greater debit
e than appears on the surface. il may lead t
, consequences WHICH il is hard to foresee-
3 but this discussion must be left until the bill
d is brought up. DIR President, / should b
d ashamed of myseIfifI had been actunted il
= any of my acts, by motive of friendship o
e otherwise for any Administration. 4 yote'
e from conscience alone.