The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-27

orable chairman OF Foreign Relations, mir SEWER
was passed-"An act directing detachment from the
militia of the United States and for erecting certain
asenas" by which the President authorized to call
on the Executives of the States Tor $4,000 militia and
the object of the distinctly avowed the 4ih
ton to be or the security of the territory of the United
States This is the object, and the only object avowed
IN the act II rs thus clearly proved to have been am act
passed not Tor conquest but meet the threatened dan
ger OF a French aggression
Not a man was ever called for The idea of seizure
Tor conquest never entertained for moment, and the
whoe controversy was speedily settled by the treaty OF
1903, which ceded Louisiana to the United States
oucn is me history OF this most interesting period in
our nauonai affairs was distinguished for the mode
ration prudence and forbearance of our rulers The
resolutions OF Mr. Ross, TO which referred on former
occasion, Were first deprived of their hostile characters
session OF such place or places in the island of Ne,o Or
teams or e adjacent territories, he may deem fit and
convenient, every democrat voting TO strike it See
lles OF National lntelgencer for February 2S 1903
The bill reported in pursuance of the resolutions as amend
ed and adopted the day by the party avow
ed Its object be the with these resolutions thus
amended, g the security of the territory of the United
States, threatened, have seen, with invasion
by the French amy under General Victor.
Those who may desire to prosecute this interesting in
qury further, will find the whole pacific policy of the re-
publican party. fully explained in The then existing organ
of that party, by recurring to the files of the National In
tellgencer for 1902 February %, PSI March g. H. 30,
3O and April % The essay published in that paper
der the last date shows that the party at that day secuted
the whole doctrine on which this Mexican war has been
and is now supported They demanded disavowal by
Spain of the of the intendant at New Orleans which
denied to us treaty right Of deposte instead decar
ing war on account of it; and they obtained it without
bloodshed But IN 1916, when the first aggression against
treated the act of the Mexican officer who took Thorn
toms dragons act of war, instead of demanding
dlsavowa OF it, as the republican party did in the Of
Spanish aggression in 1903. The opposition in 1903
clamoed for account of the proclamation of the
Spanish inendant at New Orleans denying right of
deposite The given to this clamor by the demo-
crn I'm chapu.
meetings at that day the subject The writer have
referred to- in the party organ the 22d April lsO3 thus
meets the clamor
ITO involve the nation in all the horrors of war for the
unla T1u act of subordinate officer, would be the height
of political depravy 1t would introduce rule of which
could complain, and under which this nation any
future time might be involved in by the unlawful or
wnnton act of any of her officers. would be- virtually,
from the representatives the people and the
of the country to the captain of lrigate The act OF
individual officer is not act of the nation till sanctioned
by the nation 10 which he belongs it is impossible for
the most vigant and best regulated governments to
troll the actions OF its agents and subjects all occasions
Hence it follows that the government by declaring
have neae" an sS' Of gaii e
tporidS '' '''''' '' o''' "''' $50 y '''
Had these principles been applied in 1916 by our Exec
uive-had demand been made las was then urged by
the opposition in this Chamber) Mexico to avow
disavow the act BY which it alleged that American
blood had been shed on American SOIL and repair any
justice there would have been war. Such demand
was made by the government when the Leopard made
the infamous chesapeake, ana the COnSe-
quence was dsavowal which saved us the necessity
Of treating the attack war, But in the of Mexico,
the principles which formerly governed were aban-
doned and the act which was unateral and not even
avowed justified by Mexico herself, Immediately
declared TO be by without allowing the Mexican
government any opportunity TO disavow it. This was as
hostile to the true principles of International law, as it
was in direct opposition to the whole former OF
this government
MI HANNEGAN Really, sir, | think it hardly fair
that the senator from Rhode Island should be called upon
at this late hour of the day to go on and address the SEN
Mr.. CLARKE It was my expectation to have occu
pied the floor at the appointed hour; but much time
has been taken up the discussion this morning. and
much will probably be required TO finish it. far
wish of the Senate that the present discussion should
continue Indeed, should myself prefer that the special
order should be postponed until Tomorrow, as it is now
so late that in all probability should not be able
clude my argument day, if should commence it.
wait the pleasure OF senators in regard to it,
MIR. SEVER II is not my purpose to interfere with
the time which belongs the gentleman he desires to
on now; but wish to make brief explanation in re-
gard what has been stated by the honorable senator
from Delaware 1t will be recollected that, when the
senator addressed the Senate upon the ten regiment bill,
he referred TO Mr. Rosss resolutions with view of
trastng the policy Of Mr. Jefferson with that of Mr. Polk
in reference to the disputed territory.
Resolved, That the President Of the United States be,
and he is hereby, authorized, whenever he shall Judge il
cxpeden require OF the executives OF the several States
according to law, and hold in readiness march,
ments warning $1,000 effective militia officers included
l IL
dent authorize the executives of the several States
cept part of the detachment aforesaid, any corps
Volunteers who shall continue in service for such time,
exceeding months, and perform such services shall
be prescr bed by law. .Il.a
| Resoiped, That - dollars be appropriated for paying
and subsising such part Of the troops aforesaid whose
actual service may be wanted and for efayng such other
expenses as, during the Of Congress, the President
deem for the security of the territory of the
United States.
Resopcd That dollars be appropriated for erecting,
such place places the the Pesi
dent may Judge most proper one more arsenals.
! supposed he had not traced those resolutions through
to their ultimate disposition, and therefore asked him to
give me the date of the resolutions and he did by
sending the journal my desk then traced the subject
final disposition of the resolutions and what that
found they had been referred in secret session select
committee; and in the formation of that committee for
not apparent to the OF the resolutions
not included Mr. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, chair
man of the committee. That committee to whom Ross's
resolutions referred, reported carrying out
every substantial provision contained in them. And
what these provsons' Why, that in time of pro-
found peace the President authorized to raise an
army of eighty thousand men, and further author
lied to establish the western two public armo-
of million of money to carry these objects into
effect When | perceived this, the conviction on my
mind was, that the honorable senator in the hurry and
heat OF debate had not taken time to trace the thing its
| final conclusion.
My friend from Mississippi, day two afterwards in
commenting on this matter referred to these resolutions
and in his haste supposed that he had omitted to refer
what certainly deemed mportant-which was the pas
of the act which have referred carrying out
the objects of the resolutions then put the matter
right as | understood It. Now, the senator from
1 hnl, -. IL