The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-11
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MIR STANTON,


In The House Of Representatives. Jhwsioy, july 81,
1S4s-On the message OF the President in relation 10
the boundaries of the territories ceded By Mexico to the
United States.
Mr. STANTON said
Mr.. SPEAKER: The message before you naturally con
meets itself with the peace message which was commun
Gated TO us some two weeks ago. The In W ch
these two papers have been received and treated here
well calculated TO excite profound surprise They have
been the occasion OF debate in which the widest la
ude not merely OF subjects but of language and denun
caiion has been INDUCED We have had the merits Of
this administration freely canvassed, that gentle
went so far to characterize the President Polk
The mendaeious" while we have not hesitated to enter
boldly into the party questions which will engage the at
tenton OF the country in the approaching presidential
election Following the example of other gentlemen,
propose to enter somewhat into this general discussion
| was particularly struck with the warmth evinced by
the chairman OF the Committee of Ways and Means, Mr.
VIsToN when he commented upon the letter which the
President quotes as having been written, by his instrue
tons IN reply to one from the governor Of Texas In
that letter. the President declares his belief that Texas
entitled to the whole territory east of the Bravo from
Its source TO its mouth.
The honorable chairman entered into calculation of
dollars and cents. He proclaimed that according the
Presidents estimate of the value of the territory acquired
by the treaty. the part OF thus proposed to be yielded to
Texas would be worth from fifty to seventy millions OF
dollars. The gentleman was indignant at the simple
preston OF opinion by the President and exclaimed, with
great excitement, chow dare he take part with Texas
against the government, whose President he %
When | reflected, sir, that the honorable gentleman
and his whole party, upon similar question: took sides
MEXICO OOtn anu the United States
the gentemans Indignation seemed to be even lu-
dicrous Whether the Presidents opinion be right or
wrong q believe il is rght0 imagine there is lit
lie difference between advocating the claim of Texas to
this territory, after we have acquired it by treaty. and
sustaining that OF the enemy, while we were fighting for
If the President would yield liberal boundary to
Texas the favor extended of the sister republics
of this conedemcy. If the would increase the
power, and influence, and glory of that State, would
detract nothing from the greatness of the Union If il
Sho he INSTR Of he rIOne
star, it would, at the same tme only heghten the splen
dor of the whole federal con stelIaton.
But it far different with the position OF the gentle
man and his party In time of war, they did not scruple
to advocate the right OF the enemy, not only to this terri
tory, but to that between the Nueces and the Bravo
They would have shorn country of strength in that
contest, in order to confer upon the enemy They
should take the beam out of their eye before they
speak OF the mote in ours
it received by gentlemen the other side of this
chamber In similar spirit The chairman of the Com
mittee OF Ways and Means prominent then ALSO as
is perhaps his duty be, considering the position he
occupies lie then declared he would never consent to
the reference of that important message, until the Presi
dent would first inform him by what authority he had
established temporary governments in the conquered ter
ritoy. This was an extraordinary announcement But
it the signal OF opposition to his party and accord
ngly to this day. the important subjects of that message
have not been sent to the appropriate committees of this
House.
The President informed that, by the conclusion of
the treaty of peace his power TO maintain any govern
were without governments it was duty to give them
institutions and laws; this could only be done by the
reference OF the message and the consequent action of
the various committees Yet the gentlemen of the oppo-
ston refuse take this indispensable step towards the
performance of solemn duty.
The President also reminded that we had procured
acknowledgment of the claims of plundered citi
zens and that, by the treaty, il became duty pay
them, part consideration for the territory ceded
beard of commissioners to adjudcate these claims
recommended These demands against Mexico were
mar uS IN he war
We have fought the enemy, and poured out our blood
freely to obtain Justice to American citizens, and yet gen.
temen here qubbling and manGuvrng to avoid the
final necessary to complete the indemnity. No
proposition has been made be made until the ref
erence shall be voted
But the message further informed us that we had &C
CURED some important harbors the Pacific ocean, and
that much valuable commerce was already carried on
through those ports 1t necessary, without delay, 10
extend laws to that distant quarter in order
to protect the commerce of citizens, as well to col
ect the revenue to be derived from it, Yet all these i'm
pOrtant measures pressing upon US with the weight Ut
great emergency must be put aside and delayed for fac
tous party purposes.
Sir, we have been presented with several resolutions
Tor the final adjournment of Congress But, while the
on, they have done nothing 10 make their proposed adj
lournment possible unless we should determine to go
home without doing the most indispensable public bust
ness 1t is fortunate that have democratic Senate
to send down this House those important bills in ref
to the territory, which, according to present
appearances, shall never get from commit
understand the motive for these proceedings Gen
emen anxious to make the democrats responsible for
the length of this session of Congress. But have no
fears that the people will not comprehend the whole
game and form correct judgment upon it. The re-
sponslbity will fall upon those who refuse to do the
public business.
The preext for this conduct avowed by the honor
able gentleman from Ohio, Mr. VINToN is to force the
President to assign the grounds upon which he establish
ed temporary government in New Mexico This ques.
ton, and that respecting the military contributions ex-
acted OF the enemy, alter having been abandoned
looked for many months, are now brought forward at
the close OF the session, when the only purpose they
possibly will be to embarrass, delay and perhaps
defeat the most important and necessary measures.
remember well, sir, debate in which you and parci-
paed at the of the last session Of Con-
gress, the subject of which these very temporary
governments The members of the opposition entered
into that discussion with great ardor BIT their spirits
soon tagged. The subject was dropped and am sure,
not only this House. but the country satisfied that
the ObeconSthen urged pressed only because
they could not be sustained From that time 10 thisa
period of more than eighteen months-we have heard
nothing of them.
MIR SCHENCK inquired if the democrats had not a
majority of about seventy in that Congress'
Mr. STANTON Yes; but that will scarcely explain
the sudden and complete silence which followed the first
animated discussion of the subject. And besides you
have had the majority during this Congress- and yet the
subject is now agItated for the first time.
Mr.. SCHENCk. | introduced resolution calling for
information this subject at the commencement of this
session, in December last 1t is now the calendar
Mr. STANTON. And there il has slept Certainly
the gentleman has not attempted to take his resolution
HIS party has had the power to pass almost at any time
No, sir; these excuses will not avail, The fact stands
forth undsputed and ndispuable that this whg House
the President with the commission of grave and mpeach
able crimes, which they have looked silent acqui