The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-17

gressions and enormlties, and make accommodation
with her until this is done.
Sir, in my view of the duty OF nations dsputng about
doubtful right, would have been perfectly justified
by declaring war against Mexico her refusal 10 re-
ceive minister for, sir, it is incumbent the
testing nation negotiate and submit to an honorable
compromise. II nation will not do this the other party
10 the contest has right TO resort TO TO compel
adjustment OF the question; and though does not de-
eide the right yet victory usually puts Il in the power
of the successful party to enforce compliance with the
demand-at least this is so understood among civilized
nations,
Sir the annexation of Texas was decided on by the
people with their eyes open-in view of the threats OF
Mexico that she would declare war-and they were will
ling to have rather than lose Texas and the effort
is van than useless, to attempt to make them be~
lieve that is an unjust war, war OF aggression on
our part They have too much for this. No. sir,
they fully convinced of lis Justice, and il u.s. there
fore, popular; and defamation drive them from
the position they have ken, support it with zeal and
energy In view of the facts and presented,
doubt remain that the was brought on by the act
of Mexico and so declared by almost unanimous vote
of both houses OF Congress the 9th of May 1896 by
the law of that date in response to the message of the Ex
ecutve unfolding its causes and ushered TO the world in
the usual mode by the proclamation OF the President
Although practically, had commenced the cath
of April, 1916, by the attack OF Mexico detachment
of troops, and again the sth and 9th OF May and
existed those days perfectly the hostile acts OF
foreign power cause it TO eXstthey not being pre-
daory incursons, made without authority without APP
parent cause and with view to plumber, but under
taken in pursuance of previous official notifications to
our government, that war should follow the annexation
of Texas which Mexico regarded revoted province,
and to which her right had not been at all nvadaed by
the act of annexation; yet, far
ed-so far our relations nationally and individual
w. were involved the war had its constitutional exist
ence the passage of the act of the 18th of May 1916
That act changed relations from peace TO war :;
recognised the practical fact that the act OF Mexico had
produced it, and gave it our sanction, and published
our acknowledgment of it to the world in the usual mode
The phraseology of the act declaring it is nearly iden
cal with that of the 18th of June, 1912, senators may
see who will examine Both proceeded from messages
of the President detailing the causes, and both
nounced the world by pocamations and, yielding TO
no one my of the justice of the OF 1912 with
Great Britain, am constrained to say sir, that the justice
of this loses nothing by the comparisons and that
was denounced as Jim Madisons war;" unjust and ag
gressve, this denounced as Mr. Folks and with
equal bodness It's injustice proclaimed The causes OF
Kentucky Mr.. UNDERwooD; j they were good causes,
and such should have prompted the naon with
heart rise up and defend its rights; and that had
will this have, glorious issue But sir our then enc
my had not invaded our terrtoryhad murdered none of
our c,zensthough they had fociby impressed them in
their naval service, and fagranty invaded our neutral
rights To bring on this war; and to add TO the injury in
hccd upon by the robbery and murder OF our citizens
Mexico invaded the soil Of one of our sister States,
to suugae IT. deydgh alike our cur power and
avowedly to conquer Texas of which she alleged she
had been uniustly despoiled by us; and as she had
repeatedly declared she would do, she sought by force
to recover it, and the whole of it, to the Sabine
She sought conquest-sought to rob us of one of
the brightest gems IN our national coronet and, though
ndgnity adding insult to former injuries and should
have been and repulsed as has beer by the power
OF the nation, and merited chastisemen inflicted Can
senators tell me for what purpose the Mexican army
on the bank Of the Rio Gande, if was not to carry out
the oft-repeaed threat to Texas by orce' twas
for no other purposes and its leader embraced the first
favorable opportunity to make the nvasion and it has
never been dsavowed by the government Sir as to the
Justice of this war; in view OF all these things, 1t loses
nothing in comparison with that OF 1872 and that war
was denounced in terms equally violent and unmeasured
with this The party at that day arayed against when
declared, was eager to get the nation into years
before Congress acted Every effort made to influence
the minds of the people against Great Britain and appeals
of the most infammaory character accompanied by at
lacks upon the administration of the want of spirit and
patriotism were constantly made and they asserted hat
was so tame and spritess that it "coud not be kicked
into war" AS early 1906 leading federal print of
that day declared that he disputes between this country
and injury on ours will not admit of much longer vain
complaints and harsh recrimnations They must ter
inmate shortly in the silence OF war S or And
in Congress] dare not resist all aggressions alike and
assume the part. of spirited mpaTtality as magnani
nous policy requires. Ii war s called for by the nsued
honor of the country; if the cup cancellation is drained
to the degs, they declare to be- let the war be de-
cared let embargo be laid adequate funds provided
the strong arm of defence nerved and extended and
powerful navy ordered In these measures the whole
country from Georgia to Maine, convinced of their pro-
priety, will be united"
These extracts from the Boston Centnel, thent the
leading federal paper Of the Union.
letter from Washington of the same year, says
Gear prejudice other dastardly principle is
continually crossing the path OF our rulers; and the
loud call of country, its commerce and spoiled mer
chants for energetic purposes, is unhead dsregarded
My fears hatthe Presidents messages will only be
supported by windy debates, pen and ink reports"
Although the "Centine" had proposed an embargo,
vet when it laid in 1907 it SAID: 1.-The embargo
which the government has just laid, is of and
alarming nature War, great as the evil is, has less ter
ror and will produce less misery, than an embargo on
such principles"
Observation-Disclosures ceasng to be vrtue-war was
declared the Senate of Massachusetts, resolved that
was founded in fasehood, declared without necessity
and its real object extent of territory by unjust
quests, and TO aid the late yran OF Europe in his view
of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT"
And the pulpit, where politics should not enter, be-
came also theatre in which its ministers sought TO in
flame the public mind against the administration OF their
country and place it in the wrong, in the sight of their
powerful enemy and the world
One of them, highly distinguished by his position the
Rector of the Trinity church in Boston, in discourse de-
lvered in July, 1872 said This is a unexamped
in the history of the world wanonly proclaimed the
most frivolous and groundless preences against nation
from whose friendship might derive the most signal
advantages and from whose hostility we have to
dread the most tremendous losses" Again: Every
provocaton has been offered to Great Britain on our part
and our resentment has risen in proportion she has
shown concliatory spirit"
And then, his pous fervor he eyhorts his hearers
thus: Let no consideration whatever, my brethren
deter you at all times and in all places, from execratng
the present Ii is war unjust, foolish, and ruin
GUS" And "as Mr. Madison has declared the war, let
Mr.. Madison carry II on.
And not to be oudone in the hostility here exhibited
another eminent divine, at Medfod, the Rev. Or Osgood
endeavored prevent his countrymen from enlistng in
the service, and from oanng money to the government,
to carry on the war. Here IS what he says: