The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MIR. THOMAS,
nL TENNLxgEL

Presidents peace message
Mr.. SPEAKER Some days ago, when inc fIes,ueht >
message under consideration, was read the honof-
able gentleman from Ohio [Mr VSToN chairman OF the
Committee of Ways and Meansl made furious a'pack
upon the President He charged that TINS message con
tanned 'palpable assumption oil power by the fresi-
dent in thistha he undertakes TO tell them texas,
voluntarily and without the authority OF this House his
opinion that whenever the United States shall acquire
hs territory in New Mexico their right would operate
from the mouth to the source OF the Rio Grande
This, with other charges against the President has
been repeated and urged by other distinguished genie
men upon the other sde from day to day, with zeal
and ability that would more become better cause; ana
am gratifed that have at last obtained the hoor and
that now have an opportunity OF replying 70 MISE gen
acks and to have that Just commentator awarded 70
the President which his able and patriotic services so e
neny deserve. The President. in this message speak
ing of the Temporary governments established on the
side of the Rio Grande, and OF the right OF Texas 10
that country, says:
'Nothng, therefore, be more certain than that this
temporary government, resulting from necessity can neve
njuriousy affect the right which The President believes 10
be justly asserted by Texas to the whole territory on hi.
side of the Rio Grande whenever the Mexican aaim to II
shall have been exinguished by treaty But this Is sub
ect which more properly belongs 70 the legislative than the
II will be perceived that the President says that this
subject "more properly belongs" to Congress the gentle
men all assent to this But the President says further
that he believes" this claim to be Justly asserted by
Texas" and it is the expression OF this belief by the
President that has much aroused the wrath OF the
hon Chairman. He cannot for moment. tolerate the
ion that Texas has this right to country worth as he
says sixty or seventy millions Of dollars" | suppose
the gentleman would say this is aandering the title OF
the United States If the rule let him that is without
fault cast the first stone were enforced upon this sub
ect how long would it be before the gentleman any
of his party in this Honse would get hing at the bresl-
dent: Who is this gentleman He is an able and dis
ting ushed leader of the wing party-a party many OF
whom, since December, 1916, have denounced the war
as odous, unnecessary, unconstitutional and unust-a
party that during the present session. and after our gallant
armies for the rights OF our country had won near
Thirty victories, small and great, and had marched through
battle and through blood to the capital OF our enemy; and
after deeds of galanry almost If not altogether unpar-
alleed in the history of the world had planted the star
spanged banner upon the palace OF Mexico, holding IN
subsection than hall OF the enemys country extend
ing from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific; when the
enemys forces defeated and dispersed and there
scarcely show of resistance to our just claims
for indemnity for the past and security for the future,
il was then, sir that forty-one of this gentleman's
party-and ! believe, he among the UNINTERRUPTED
" to call the army back" thereby to relinqush the
just claims of our citizens and the rights OF our country
and to force brave armies To- an nglorors retreat
trailing our hitherto unarnished flag in the dust, dshon-
ored and disgraced. This had been recognised by
the Congress of the United States and BY the
This House is the commandern chief OF the army,
nor has the treaty making power yet every member
of the genemans party upon this floor has voluntarily
declared this war TO have been Unnecessarily ana un
claims against Mexico This was controversy be-
tween the United States and Mexco and TO express an
opinion favoring Mexico, not only escapes the patriotic
vigilance of the gentleman but receives his hearty
sent But if the President in answer to an inquiry OF
governor of one OF States, expresses opinion IA
vorabe to the claim of such taean opinion too, which
the learned gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. DUNcAN] "a
whig) not only asserted correct but IN an able argu
ment showed it to be so-his with the gentleman, is a
papabe assumption OF power on the part OF the Ffesi-
dent
Since the repeal of the odious sedton law it has been
lawful to give the truth in evidences and the gentleman
from Kentucky most clearly demonstrated the correctness
of this opinion of the President and the right OF Texas
to this country against the United States Texas was
annexed by resolutions introduced by two wings from
Tennessee and passed Congress before Mr. Polk became
the President; and upon the face of these resolutions
Texas claimed territory north of the line Of 80 deg SO
to make at least two States and these res
outons expressly provide that these States are theeaf
ter to be made with the assent of Texas and Texas had
not an nhabitant then within hundred miles OF this
terory and, unless the country east OF the Rio Grande,
claimed New Mexico is included there IS not sulhclent
territory for one, much less for two States.
Again when Texas is received into the Union, she Is
received with constitution and laws, which extend her
limits to include this country And the map, which is
part of the recent treaty. ratified between the United
States and Mexico represents all the country east OF the
Rio Grande as belonging to Texas.
Mr. Speaker have but time to refer to these points
and more than reference IS unnecessary, since
gentlemen of both political parties have so firmly and
clearly established the correctness OF tins opAion OF the
| President
| NAV ask here why do gentlemen have so much So
citude about this tertoy' 1t was but yesterday that
their party from the north unanimously refused IN effect
to make any laws or regulations Tor this and the Whoe
of the territory acquired from Mexico; and 1t Is but a
half hour since leading member of that party from
| New York Mr.. DUER] avowed his readiness to
cive all this country back to Mexico and, so far as
could see he utterng the sentiments OF many OF ms
party; and this proposition Is IN perfect accordance win
their refusal upon yesterday to legsate forths country
The whole matter is that this gentleman as he avowed
would consent TO give this country, nrnscay SO valu-
able and acquired by treaty voted Tor by majority OF
his party in the Senate Mexico rather than permit our
honest shareholders OF the south to occupy one loot OF
with their slaves and the gentleman asserts that he Is Tor
this upon principle. Principles which lead man TO be
stow benefits upon foreign nation rather than give
portion of his own country its Just Fghts-and fha TOO
upon such people the MeXcan-requlre no common
tary but deserve universal and unqualified condemna
ton.
will not delay to comment further upon these points,
but proceed to notice the argument OF the honorable
gentleman from Kentucky, Mr. DUNcAN] lhis gentle
man. after quoting from the message the remarks OF Inc
President in relation the temporary civil governments
established the territories during the war; declares ms
purpose .to examine" them, and to demonstrate tina
they exhibit lamentabe lack of craftsmanship and ar
utter ignorance of the laws of nations, and the theory Oh
our own constitution" He then lays down this principle
THAT there is respectable antho OF modern Tune
TO found who that the laws OF conquered nat
do until they changed by the conqueror'
| And, to sustain this position, he adds:
ssThis question, be known every lawyer II
this House. in the reign OF James All VINO nave
read Lord Coke know that it brought before e Brltsl
onnrts with Lord Bacon as counsel side and ohe
He was born Edinburgh before the union Ater the ac
of union brought real action, and tue question wa
| whether he was not an alien IL an alien he cou'd
no m tain the al action THIS CASE brought up these
and il was that early day, decided that unit
he conueror made alteration OF those laws, The ancie'
laws OF that kingdom remained - -,
Now, sir the gentleman has wholly mistaken tins
case not only the law but as to the facts Inc re
r - IN ma