The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-02
THE UNION.

of the prudence of this act TO the mind OF every member
OF the opposition
alluded to the orders Of Arsta the 9th OF April IN
which he instructed his troops to the rver and
take the initiative OF war. The only alternative with
the President 10 defend the country from the in
vader--a defence OF the whole Of Texas, or aban-
Comment OF the whole.
blE C. understood the gentleman from Indiana [Mr
THOMPSON in his speech the other day, 10 have declared
that General Taylor retracied his recommendation of
October 4h, ls45 So far from this Mr. C. consder that
the despatch alluded TO as making this reracton, dated
November T. 1885, rather confirmed the previous recon-
mendaton; and he read from these dispatches 10 justify
the opinion. The President, he said acted literally IN
conformity with the recommendation OF the General
The General urged the march upon the President IN
either OF two eyentshe refusal of Mexico 10 negotiate,
the manifestation OF disposition on their part unne-
cessarlly TO prorac negotiation
He looked particularly at the inconsistency OF denoun-
cling the President for the order 10 march the troops, by
gentlemen who, at the same time, allow themselves to
shout hosannas to the man whose COUNSEL more than
anything else, had induced the President 10 take TINS
Mr. C. read from the annual message of the President
OF December, ls45. TO show that this matter OF the claim
OF boundary the part of this government was most
definitely set forth and understood at that tme as well
the whole history OF the executive proceedings, result
ing in the march Of the troops; and again he brought
home the question, how gentlemen could SIT here IN quiet
without uttering single word OF murmur or complaint
against proceedings which they are now pleased TO stg
matlze as an unnecessary and unconstitutional act OF
mana member from New York, who proposed an
amendment the bill, restricting its provisions to
the protection of troops and the means necessary Tor
their immediate withdrawal from the region OF the Rio
del Nore and the vote upon this amendment was yeas
s. nays 1872 This was the temper OF the House OF Repre-
senatives with reference to this question at that time
AT this point OF the argument, the Speakers hammer
told the expiration OF the allotted hour
Mr. STEPHENS followed, and said he should, before
he took his seat propose an amendment to the resolution
derake to tell how the war was originated Going
behind all other causes given as the origin oil the war; he
had alleged that Congress originated the war BY annex
ing Texas. If he had tme he would undertake to show
that the President was the sole author OF the war He
disputed the position OF his colleague as to the extent Of
the jurisdiction OF Texas He denied that Congress was
made acquainted with the order given TO Gen Taylor to
march to the Rio Grande after the order was given
Congress could not officially know it, until il was Off
Galy communicated member o. ms house lou from
alton on this subject and was voted down by an inex
IDLE majority of this House, who then, now,
II urged that if the President had moi sent the troops
to defend the territory, there would have been clamor
against him from this side Of the House But there
people the Rio Grande to defend. There were no
Texans there
On the subject of the rejection Of Mr.. Sdes mission,
he argued that formed no reason for the movement OF
e hs Mn.s W
Affairs to show that the Mexican government did not
intend, as late as April 1885, to make war. The
MEXICAN government had proposed 70 refer the subject
would never, he apprehended, be known until the in
s,ructions given to Mr. Slide were made public.
fIe expected to those documents while the
present incumbent remained in the presidency. He did
not dare 10 diyuge those instructions, Tor they would
condemn himself. He might shelter himself behind
the example of Washington but he had better security
in that constitutional provision which eXempts person
from eliminating himself. The permission given for the
return of Santa Anna (Mr. s. contended) was very
cumsiances attending it. There was internal evidence
the face of the Presidents message showing that 1t
was mendacous--that it was intended to deceive the
public would not do to tell the honest voters OF this
country that there was danger in telling the whole truth
this subject Mr. passed to view OF the relations
between Gen Taylor and the government, and declared
manner he had wished, he would have put an end
TO it He warmly eulogised the conduct OF General
Taylor, and accused the administration and its sup
porters of gross ingratitude to that heroic patriot
censurng his acts and charging him with giving aid and
| comfort to the enemy. The most unjustifable means
were taken by the man who gave the pass to Santa An
Of the country The object of the administration, after
the battle Of Monterey was TO- place General Taylor in
such situation that he must be either whipped or alto
gether cut off But he had gallant spirits with him at
Ruena VISTA On whom he could rely There was Yell.
and Clay, and Hardin and many others around him on
that ominous night OF the 22d of February, when the
genius of American liberty lowered those sombre
mountain heights and gave a victory
He denounced the letter of the Secretary of War to
General Taylor in relation 10 the Gaines letter. most
infamous. He would like to see the reply to it. Mr. S.
considered, he said that the most dangerous enemy that
the people Of this country had had, the pres.
ent Executive,
He did not intend to give his assent to the taxing of
his constituents for the purpose of carrying on this war
Mr. P9ks SINE qua non was to take the CALIFORNIA; and
New Mexico, and give Mexico fifteen millions. The
Presidents assertion, them that the war prosecuted
to obtain indemnify was mendacious The war was TO
obtain territory Ii the credit of the country must 60
down, let it go down. Let the evils of the and Of
debt be felt BY the people Then they would rise in
their strength, and reform the policy of the government
and he much feared that they would never do it before
The national honor of the United States would be salts
fled without taking the barren rocks and mountains of
Mexico.
He moved that the portion of the report which imposes
direct tax be stricken out.
The SPEAKER stated that the motion not in order
al this time.
Mr. CHARLES BROWN had no intention, he said
when he entered the House this morning, to take part in
the debate: But after the remark Of the gentleman from
Georgia, Mr. STEPHENS, he felt it TO DE his duty to say
something. The gentleman from Georgia had said that
the people would in their majesty and stop the
When did the people of this country rise against
their government in time of war; Congress had declared
the war, and Mexico had always proclaimed the
ton of Texas act of 1t was never intended
by this government to make the annexation of Texas
cause of war Every disposition had been manifested
by this government to preserve peace--o coDclliaie
Mexicoto avoid any trespass their feelings. Every
thing placed in such situation by this government
when Mr. Sdel was sent to Mexico, as would procure
speedy and mutually advantageous treaty OF peace.
There was concealed purpose Of making war-none
would be found in Mr. SlideIrs or Mr.. Trists nsruc
tons The forced on us by Mexico-begun
and carried on by her.
There nothing said in the communication from
the government Of Mexico, through MIR. Black, inviting
a renewal of negotiation, to the time when should
,a,1n IN Wa nua IN lie