The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-12


voton TO the cause of their country AT least think
may answer for the people of Tennessee that the will
never rally under the flag OF party in opposition TO their
own judgment and patriotic feeling That, sir, IS my
native State, and claim to know something of the feel
lngs which influence its people. She whose sons have
fallen IN Mexcowho has sent forth her volunteers at
the first tap OF the drum-who has contributed three
four times perhaps, indeed may safely say ten times the
amonnt OF troops called for from her limits-canno
sure, sacrifice those patriotic feelings and take sides
against their country.
But we are told that change has been made in the
policy of the administration with regard TO the war; thai
the entire subugaton OF Mexico is now contemplated
that the just in its origin, but that ii pros
ecuted for the accomplishment OF objects which would if
attained, be fatal TO our owa institutions. In order 10
couneract the evil effects of this alleged policy il is
contended that should withdraw the troops and allow
the enemy to have perfect freedom for all manner of
cess plumber and assassination Sir can nothing in
the message of the President, any other public docu
men to justify any such conclusions; and il were dis
posed TO charge the opposition with it-and am not
disposed think would not be without ground for
the allegation that that petext Justify their
opposition TO the war might say, that the gentlemen
the other sde unable to sustain themselves, seek
ing, the of presidential election, to present
ISSUE more favorable to their success that they have
discovered that the ground heretofore occupied by them
that the is unnecessary and unconstitutional, and
therefore indemnity ought to be demanded received
for the immense expense incurred in Its prosecution
meets with favor with the people, and therefore,
TO avoid the odum of this condemned position they seek
to Shift their ground by presenting new issue. Sir,
these gentlemen have right to assume for
and positions assumed for ourselves and there
fore shall hold them to the issues which they them
Selves upon mature consideration and full consultation
submitted TO the public, presenting the true position of
the two great parties OF this country upon the existing
war with Mexico. shall not attempt to 60 into that
to answer the objections urged against the prosecution
of the but proceed at once to the consideration of
the inquirywhat did produce this war Was the
nexaton of Texas or was i the removal OF the army
from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande That is the
issue made by the opposition since the commenced
hold, then held that the annexation Of Texas
the cause OF Mexico wagng war against the United
| Stata, hath tta had ham I'D n,
Rio Grande not, the inevitable result growing
out Of the act of annexation How far then, is this ad
nnistration responsible' Annexation took place under
the Tyler administration and the Senator from Mary
land, not in his seat, Mr. JoHNsoN,] after having
made, conceive, able and conclusive argument in
regard to the justice of this war; chose to cast some
Elections on the administration for provoking in the
mode OF annexation shall advert tor few moments to
the subject.
What were the powers and duty of the President under
the resolutions OF annexation They all defined in
the third resolution, which is as follows:
And be it further rssoued That The President of the
United States SHALL his Judgment and discretion, deem
advisable instead OF proceeding submit the foego
ing resolution the republic Of Texas,
the part of tho United States for admission to negotiate
with that republic then"
Let it be remembered that the legislative power took
the matter into their hands, and imposed upon the
President the duty OF submitting to the republic OF
Texas the plan of annexation They gave him the choice
of selecting either the House the Senate resolutions
Thus he acted merely ministerial agent i was not
| like of ordinary negOtIaon in which, after a
proposition had been submitted there was the night to
withdraw if it declined The law required him
make the proposition the republic OF Texas giving him
only the discretionary power which have Just described
That selection of the mode OF annexation was made be-
fore the present administration into power 1t was
made by the Tyler administration in the last hours OF its
exsence and the selection being made and the PROPOSE
ton submitted, the law complied with The President
had discharged his duty under It, and his power over the
subject consequently exhausted. 1t only renamed,
then, to be whether Texas would assent 10 the
terms proposed. am free to admit that il the Senate
resolution had been adopted, the might have been
la1. h,,f
not in the power OF man to avert The war; Ii the
Senate resolution had been adopted, negotiations might
have been opened, and Texas might have been annexed
by Joint resolution at the next OF Congress-
cordng to the terms agreed upon between the two par
ties. In the mean time annexation not having taken
place. she might have been consulted about it. Compen
sation might have been made, and amicabe settlement
been effected By the adoption of the House resolutions
however all the power of averting the war was taken
from the President to whom no discretion was lett
I In proceeding to establish the fact that annexation
caused the war, shall refer to the record. And shall
begin with the position occupied by the wing party IN
1884, pending the presidential election There was then
but universal sentiment in the party expressed IN the
language of the distinguished citizen of Kentucky who
was regarded the embodiment OF their principles And
what was that sentiment! The great issue then was,
Will you have Texas and war, or no Texas and peace
That the great issue which was submitted to the
people The s Ms o My en
nexaton would produce war; that annexation was war
That is not their argument now we are now 'qd that
Mr. Clay, of 18th April, 1S44
Recognition did affect impair the rights of Mex
ico change the relations which subssted between her
and Texas. She the contrary has preserved all her
rights has continued and, far as know,
vet her right reduce Texas obedience as part
of the republic of Mexico"
| Mr.. Clay then goes on say:
"Under these circumstances, if the government of the
United States Texas it would acquire along
with all the membranes which Texas IS under; and
among the suspended war between Mexico
Texas OF consequence there cannot be doubt
Annexation and with Mexico Identical Now, Tor
one certainly willing engage this country In a
foreign for the object OF acquiring Texas
Thus, sir the great issue in 1914 was that OF
anne aton and Mr.. Clay, the candidate OF the wing
party for the presidency, took ground expressly that to
Texas to make with Mexico, and Tor that
reason he opposed TO annexation. More, sir; the
whole wing party of the nation from end of the
Union the other, after this letter made its appearance,
took the ground and supported Mr. Clay Tor the
presidency for the avowed purpose OF defeating the annex
alton of Texas and thereby avoid war with Mexico.
But sir the democratic party advocated the annexation
| of Texas; and to maintain their position, they as
stunned, that to annex Texas to the United States gave
no just cause of war, because Texas was free and
independent republic, and had been acknowledged
to be by all the prominent nations OF the world and
therefore Texas had under the laws of nations much
right and to make and conclude treaty OF annex
alton, for any other object Mexico herself, any
other nation whateve that this being the condition OF
Texas, the United States had, by the laws of nations
right treat with Texas for annexation or for any other
purpose, without giving offence any Just of
to Mexco and that if it necessary exercise this
right they believed it was, order promote the
of the nation, and the happiness and prosperity OF
the people, they would not be deferred from doing by
T. Il