The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-28
IS SENATE, March 10, 1s4s.

In SENATE, MARCH 10, 1915.
Tho hill reported from the Committee on Military AT
dis 10 raise for limited time, additional military
%,ce being under consideration
Mr. JOHNSON said
~ pRrsDENr: The embarrassment under which
o~ labor proceeds not only from the advanced hour of
ba day nj which arise TO address the Senate, but also
om The naare of the subject, and its familiarity in
neuce of protracted discussion, TO the mind OF every
6a,or 1t has been viewed in every light OF which
: capable Indeed, | should not ask the indulgence OF
the Senate sis occasion, II did not feel that my po-
siton-represenng in part the State of Geogiadevoyes
mon me the duty OF presenting my opinions IN relation
NJ the war It's causes and lis prosecution. trust the
Senate will be the disposed 10 pardon my intrusion
At tins time when they remember that took my seat IN
tbs chamber but few days prior TO the time when they
became continually engaged in executive sessions, and
that previously had not an opportunity OF expressing
mv views The present moment, surrounded as II Is by
obvious embaassmens, is the first OF which could avail
myself TO discuss The important measure now upon your
desk.
that under existing circumstances, there Is any Impro-
pretty in examining the merits of the Mexican war do
not conceive that anything has transpred which should
change the character of The debate teract from ITS
interest 1t not my design however, to enter upon
detailed statement of the events connected with
,angements with Mexico. All that propose 10 do IL,
,o Glance briefly at the most prominent with the view OF
drawing such Deductions natural and legitimate.
an ed that after such review OF the history OF
the origin OF the war, there will be little diff Guilty IN ar
ryjng at the conclusion that from first TO last coun
IT; has been in the right; and that throughout the whole
progress OF hosuliieS have conducted ourselves IN
sul manner not to ,arnsh reputation as ma
ton but, The contrary, to enhance 1t alike IN civil
and military point OF view
What has been conduct towards Mexico? From
the usurpaon of Napoleon in 1903, down 10 the com
mencemeni OF hosties, 1t has been characterized by
kindness and forbearance Pending her struggle with
Span the great powers OF Europe combined to defeat the
achievement OF her independence On the 9th OF Janu
an, 1929 recognised it; and Nh. Rush, our minister
10 the Court OF St James, instructed to ask the CO
operation OF Great Britain with the United States IN pro
,Dony he indie American
colonies Upon her declining to do so, Mr.. Monroe, in
behalf Of our COVER nment, declared;
"That the Americ4n continents by the free and nde pen
dent condition which they have assumed and maintain,
enceioh nor 10 be considered q subjects for future
eoonizatton by any European power and that we owe II
can1or AID to the anlcaoe ratons eAlsting between
the United States and other powers 70 declare that We
should consider any their part extend their
Che Euopean system to any portion OF ms hemisphere
DANCE peace and safety. With the govern
menn who have declared their independence, and main
famed Il, and whose independence we have great con-
deratlon and just principles acknowledged, we should
notvew any nerposon for the purpose OF expressing
Them, controlling in any manner their destiny by any
European power, in any other light than the manifesto
nnriendy disposition iowa ds the United Sates
This announcement, proclaimed in form solemn,
and commanding, produced pause in the prag
matte Vaccinations of the jealous thrones of Europe,
and Mexico permitted 10 prosecute her resistance to
Spanish oppression without foreign moestaton. Our
recognition of her Independence was soon seconded by
other leading governments OF Europe and on the 4h OF
October 1924, she succeeded in establishing federal
government similar in its prominent features to that OF
The United StdeS. we concluded win ner treaties OF
commerce and navigation and limits by which guar
anted her the boundary which existed between
and Span and which augured friendly Intercourse and
due respect to mutual rights and interests:
But how has this treatment been requlfed by Mexico
Has she appreciated generosity Has she exhibited
her gratitude by respecting our rights and seeking to re-
tain our friendship So far from this, her conduct to-
wards the United States almost from the very day OF her
revolt from Spain, down TO the inception OF the present
war has been characterized by every OF aggravated
outrage which could define the most impacabe enlnlty
zens and conscaed Their property We demonstrated
appealed IRON time time 10 her sense OF honor and
invoked her fidelity 10 treaty stpulauOns. But was IN
vain all resulted only IN dsgraceiul equvocalon' or
promises of reparalioR made only to be violated
AS early 1897 Gen. Jackson communicated to Con-
gess history OF grievances, expressed the opinion
that would stand justified, in the eyes OF the civilized
world in resort arms and even went so tar as 10
recommend reprsas But in the fulness OF iorbearance
he advised that another appeal should be made to her
of Justice coupled with the distinct understanding
that if she still persisted in withholding reparaton we
should be determined and prepared to enforce ample re-
dress This appeal was made, but as on former occa
sons resulted in nothing but hypocrltcal professions
and empty promises. "a
In December 1897 President Van Buren, referred the
subject again Congress but, still unwilling to nave
rupture with sister republic, Congress advised another
effort negotiation JOINT commissions were raised 10
audit and adjust the claims of citizens After delays
and hndrances OF various kinds, originating IN me tardy
of justice the part of Mexico, portion OF such
claims admitted and promised TO be paid. w hen the
day OF payment arrived longer indulgence was asked by
Mexico and granted by the United States so that at the
suspension of diplomatic relations between the two gov
efnmens there not only renamed several millions unad-
Iused but also several millions unpaid IN violation OF
treaty stipulation
do not alludc TO these things, Mr. President, the
pToylmae OF the with Mexico, but to vndi.
cate government from the charge OF being hard and
overbelring towards nelghborng republics and Tor the
further purpose of drying up the tears which bedew the
cheeks OF whgery IN every section OF the Union, SO that
their sympahies, being transformed nlo pa lotc lndg
nation, truth and the honor OF their country, may have
more weight with the opponents OF the war In Their
Deliberations upon the great questions winch Involves
How torbearlng is the course OF our government, wnen
compared with The conduct OF other natons 30 lar
IRON Mexico having any cause OF complaint II rs our
own citizens who have the right 10 complain maj lidir
government has been ardy IN ayenging their wrongs
When the State of New York imprisoned Mcleod, Great
britain threatened instant against the United states
France assaulted Vera Cruz, aud took the castle OF San
Juan de Uloa for violations OF the rights oil her cZens
Infinitely less fragrant. In the outrages committed at
Iaoasco British and American ctlzens endured similar
injuries; and IN behalf OF the former, England demanded
and obtained immediate reparalon, while the latter
have gone, even to the present day, unredressed.
Nhen General Ausa, contrary 10 the authority OF
MS own government, TOOK 100000 IRON bilush
INNING company, TO distribute among his soldiery,
lo nercenary military services. immediate payment Was
peieWP'only demanded, and even time refused MN 10
submit the matter to the consideration of Congress Inc
uulh 49, SIR that Mexico had spit the lace and pulled
We nose OF this government, until longer lorDearance
were sacrifice OF national honor; and while deeply
Sepore, at all times, the evils OF war, she mefts at our
MINUS severe casUgaton. 1t will humble her arrogance
and Vlndlcae our national dignity before the world.
, Although these things are not the immediate causes oil
e war; le they are portions OF the wrongs TO be re-
dressed since the war does exist. war between nations
Is the Necessary result of the absence of any competent
uounal Tor peaceful adjustment of their disputes Ii rs
asuosutue Tor great internao. Al high coud OF chan
cefyi and, like such tribunal having once been begun,