The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-19

eous and honorable bearing of the gentleman from North
Carolina He may like all of us times under the inu-
ence OF party zea-from which none perhaps are who'll
y ireeuse harsher expressions than need be but his
present charge, applicable 10 any circumstances
IS ncorrect and mean to prove that lis So his salts
acuon lie Instances two facts support his allega-
ton hrst, that opposed the discussion of the esol-
tons OF the honorable senator from South Carolina
Now, was not opposed to the discussion. beg the
honorable senator's pardon but he must allow to
mind hun that was In favor OF the discussion. was
to extend to the honorable senator FROM South
Carolina all the indulgence which he asked All in
sisted on was that II this most important bill laid
ASIDE ior the purpose OF taking up subject which, so
Tar as IT related to the Immediately before us,
might be called abstract as soon as opportunity had
Deen conceded 10 HIM TO express his views, the subject
should be Land upon the table and the bill be taken up That
was the only objection that made in reference to
that matter and that precisely the arrangement into
which the Senate itself fell Such, then, the amount
OF my pernacity III that AS TO the adjournment it
has been many times matter of conscience with me TO
vote for adjournment under the impression that did
less mischief out of this chamber than but here
case in which the interests OF the country required
prompt action, and therefore opposed the adjournment
We had before us bill whose Importance cannot well be
oyerrated. We had been giving to it one and half
hours discussion dailysix hours week allotted to
one of the most important in its consequences
ever presented 10 the Senate objected to adourn
till Monday, and that aduced another proof of my
petnaclty Really cannot see it.
Now, with respect to the motion before the Senate, all
ask is that this matter should be allowed lie over till
TO- morrow, when the honorable gentleman from Arkan
sas Mr. SEviER,l specially charged with it, shall have
collected the necessary information do not say that 1t
will not be proper then TO communicate the information
nor have said that it would be improper to give any of
the information which is sought The gentleman has
asked to whom the information is to be disclosed Why,
to the Mexcans do not of course, intend to say that
that his object but that will be the effect of the resolu
ton.
Mr. MANGUM The senator misconceives my mean
ing The Mexcans have already had intelligence OF the
designs of the President to the utmost limit; and if the
information IS withheld II is because there is unwil-
ingness somewhere that it should be laid before the
American people. As to the Mexcans, they have been
already advertised of the views of the Executive.
MIR. CASS. Ii the senator only wants that lnforma-
ton, the American people have got as well as the Mex
leans take il, Mr. President, that in all countries du
ring the prosecution of war, the specific plan OF the
campaign should not be made public Surely prudence
requires that only the general intentions of the executive
government should be made known in such circum-
stances; but where, In the name of wonder, would be
the sense in telling Mexico that the LIST of June we
mean to take Vera Cruz and Puebla the GOTH that
on such day such and such troops subsistence, OF
munitions of would be despatched to certain point
1t is not the specific, identical plans OF campaign made
which should be laid before the legislature of the
try and the enemy. thousand reasons will occur to
eyerybody showing that such procedure II not impos
sible, would be highly injurious repeat, there is nc
wish to refuse any information which may with poprle
ty and safety be communicated My only object is tt
delay action this resolution for short time. until thu
necessary information be supplied All contend fo
is that the broad principle assumed by the honorable
senator from North Carolina Is neither safe in ITSELF MOI
justified by the practice of any government, to wit tina
at all times il is right to call upon the Executive to dis
close its specific plans OF carrying war. The adop
ton OF such principle it is obvious, would be attended
with the most injurious consequences.
Now, with respect to the progress of the is saiC
that Gen. Scott going from town to town. and iron
city to city, conqueIing all before him. am very ga,
to hear IT. hope that the commanding general will con
tlnue TO go this way II he does so, have M
doubt he will conquer Mexican obstnacy, and thus
quer peace have already EXPIRE ssed my opinion witt
regard to the war in Mexico and have nothing say
thp IN
Carolina what had the honor to say to the senator from
South Carolnathat the adoption of any resolution il
be, in the progress Of this would be but the id
wind You might well stand by the cataract of Ma
CARA, and say to its waters flow not, to the Ameri
can people, " annex not territory if they choose TO
mex it, 1t the refusal OF the Mexican people to do
Justice that prolongs this war 1t is that which operates
on the public mind and leads the senator from Norti
but which, for myself do not anticipate. Let me say
MIR. President, that ii takes great deal TO kill thi;
country We have had an alarming crisis almost every
year as long | reeolect. ! came on the public
stage spectator before MIR. Jefferson was elected
That was crisis Then came the embargo crisis, TIT
crisis OF the intercourse OF the war; OF the bank,
the tariff, of the removal of the deposes, and
others. But have outlvei them all, and advanced il
all the elements OF power and prosperity with rapidly
heretofore unknown in the history Of nations Ifw'
should swallow Mexico Tomorrow, do not believe
would kill us. The senator from North Carolina AM
self may not live to it, but am by salts
fed that the day will not come in which the whole o
the vast country around will form of the mos
magnificent empires that the world has yet seenglon
Gus in It's prosperity, and still glorious the esab
shment and perpetuatiOn OF the principles of free
eminent and the blessings which they bring with them.
Mr.. ALLEN. | not aware that this resolution
was before the Senate at all and therefore will not b
supposed that intend to address the Senate its sub
ect- 1t TO me- sir that this government ha
always proceeded upon the assumption that, IN certain
cases. it is proper to refrain from giving publicity TO som
portions of the public business until the whole has beef
lconsummated II is upon that ground that these door
are often closed upon the public il is upon tina
ground that the Senate has often refused almost t
entertain resolutions calling for matter touching the for
eign relations of the country before the matter
summated For the part of the approprla
tons of this government, to the secre service fund.-
placed under the guaranty OF the Presidents honor
he the key and closes the door upon the public witt
regard to that secret service money. speak OF thes
things, evidence OF the fact that thus far this
eminent has proceeded upon the ground that part
of the public business, stages of Its apsacton
ought to be withheld from the general observation OF thu
world Where the line should be drawn, sir is grea
business should be withheld from the notice of the pub
lie, very serious question: and one which entertain
opinions quite different from those often expressed b,
most of the members of this body. The line thInl
to be this that whenever the act sought to be made pub
lie barely affects the relations between any branch OF tn
government and its constituency, ought to be mad
public every part and parcel of it; but when the &C
sought to be disclosed affects the relations of govern
ment with foreign government, then the national inter
ests and the national safety may require that until all
Iconsunmated, none should be made known. Hence tn
resolution which have submitted often in this body
to open the doors of the Senate and have secret
sions as applicable nominations contained always tn
exception as to treaties and that exception predlcate
upon the reasons which have given
+ta.l,or phnl1N n,n for