The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-06

duty We should afford preence for mpuiing to US an
aci OF bad faith Now II is only the form of the mIepo-
stonto military occupation and its incidentsha object
And trust my friend from Indiana, the chairman of the
Committee Foreign Relations Mr HANSEcAN, will not
adhere TO the first section of the bill with enacity, II he
shall be satisfied that there any other form of intervention
which unobjeconabe, and which will at the same time,
accomplish the end which will avoid all pre,ext for
the mputaon of violating the treaty. and yet enable us to
effect every legitimate object of the nterposon And here
desire say that approve of the second and third
tons of the bill, providing arms, munitions of war, and
troops to put end the Of devastation in Yucatan
know nothing revolving in the history of modern
times, than the exerminating warfare carried by the
aboriginal against the European Neither
nor even the sancty Of religion respected The infant
slaughtered the mothers breast the priest is mmoa
ted at the altar 1t is not legitimate warfare; 1t Is cold
blooded atrocious murder.
So far permitted by international obligations
and by constitutional forms of political organization home,
disposed to interfere for the purpose of putting
end to transactions repugnan every dictate of human
ty, and every principle of civilization. willing to vote
for the second aud third sections of the bill For the first
section have proposed substitute, which will read
Strike out all the first section after the enactng clause,
and insert the following:
"That The President of the United States be authorized
employ the army and navy of the United States aid in
putting end to the Of devastation in Yucaan pro
sided the aid hereby authorized be rendered in
with the government of thai State"
The difference between the original section and the sub
sute s this the former authorizes the President to take
military occupation or possession of Yucaan the substi-
authorizes him employ the army and navy assist
the government Of Yucatan in putting end to the
raj warfare carried within that State In the first case
the government would be virtually superseded; in the
second, should act In conjunction with IT, And, II
should decide to act should entertain strong hope
that interposuon might be speedily efectual With
the moral power of victories in Mexico discreet Off
going there much in the capacity of pacifcaor
combaan might, aided by small force be able to
harmony and peace between the conendng parties
But for the treaty with Mexico and the armstce entered
into with a view to its execution think the President
would be fully authorized the conduct of the war; do
all that is proposed by the bill 1t is the peculiar relation
in which stand Mexico, of which Yucatan part
which presents, my judgment, impairment military
occupation As is, the treaty being in force, think if
had troops to spare in Mexico they might be sent into
Yucaan by the President to aid the government bringing
about termination of hostiies If the Indians should
attack the Mexican settlements in Ccahuila Durango,
other portion of the republic does any doubt that
might detach portion of troops Mexico to aid
those settlements in defending themselves without violating
the armstce the treaty. 1t would be of friend
ship and of mercy not act of hostility and it is only
against offensive operations that the treaty and the astce
intended to guard The honorable senator from Mis-
sssippi Mr. DAvs suggests that the terms of the arms
ce require that should nterpose, whenever necessity
arises protect any part of the Mexican republic from the
ncursions attacks of the Indians that have in
erposed and he considers it to be applicable to this
Under this of the subject the nerposion of Congress
required, rather with provide the President with
the than confer upon him the authority to act
But in placing the army and navy at his disposal for
cal purpose by law seems proper to define the conditions
under which they shall be employed This done by the
substitute which declares that he shall with the
of the government of Yucatan. Thus all petence Of
violating the treaty the armstce will be obvatcd
Is there any violation of international obligations far
they depend principles of public law in extending
Yucatan the required assistances think not. We
already in the occupation of portion of Yucaan Our
feet has for long time been possession of Laguna and
thus commanded large portion of the coast We have
exercised not only military but political authority there
holding Stations imposing duties and collecting
Indeed Yucan complains that by this very assumption
exercise of authority have deprived her of her revenues
and diminished her ability to provide against the cxgencies
in which she is placed. This of the grounds which
she appeals for She asks to give back
her in one way, the means have taken from her in
thar In vieW Of q
as aid which she seeks.
Sir, think there truth in what she says. But
whether that be the very fact that in the
occupation of portion of Yucatan, takes the whole
Of the ordinary rule Of nonntervention We occupy
one of her senpors under the laws of To aid the
existing government under such circumstances subord
nation to its wishes, restoring tranquility and put
ting end to domestic dssenslons be deemed
violation of the rule that interfere in the
domestic of another. Indeed but for the treaty
mig hit interfere without the of the government
having already partial occupation. 1t is only the oblga
tons arising under that make such consent necessary
all.
If we peace with Mexico and Yucatan, confess
should very much doubt whether could, any
sderaon of humanity nterpose between parties engaged
in intestine conflict with each other however strong
inclination might be. will not say that there are not OBJ
legations Of duty to felowmen, which rise above all the
restraints Of political organization and government But II
be very case, which authorize u.s.
from motives of humanity to exercise powers not expressly
conferred by the constitution and laws by which we are
governed Nothing perhaps, short of exgency threat
enng uproot the very foundations of civilized society,"
concerning sefpreservaton, would warrant any
other than strictly constitutional exercise of power But
such embarrassment in this Under the laws
of warby virtue of the occupation of one portion of Yucca
tanit appears to me that we may PERFORM in respect to
any other portion every obligation which humanity dictates
and enjons have hestaon therefore, so far as the
right Of inerposon concerned to vote for the second
and third sections of the BILL and am willing to vote for
the first section, amended make ntepositon
subordinate the government of Yucaan to make act
of friendship to her. without being act Of hostility to
Mexico.
Mr. President in discussing the bill providing for the
satisfaction of claims California, stated that the
Indians in Yucaan abundanty supplied with arms
and that of these of British manufacture
did not intend to intimate that they were furnished by the
government of Great Britain by agents acting under her
direction or authority supposed then, as suppose now,
that they were for the most part procured from British
traders at Balze in the way of exchange and have been
confirmed in that belief by article British newspaper
published at Kingston, jamaica stating that extermina-
ting war was carried by the Indians i'll fucatnn, by
means of procured from British traders and condemn
ing the latter for engaging traffic which the
of so much wanton violence and inhumanity.
By another article taken from paper appears
that commissioner has been from Yucatan Baze
invoke the observance of treaty stpuations by Great
Britain the sale of and ammunition the
Indians. l will read 1t to the Senate:
"Tle Indians had been wagng destructive with
the white inhabitants OF the State of Yucatan and had de-
stoyed the large villages OF Ajoneo and Ychmul and pos
scsed themselves of almost all the towns to the
Peto and Valadod. commissioner has arrived at Baze
Honduras from Yucatan, To prevent possible the sale
arms warIike stores to the Indians"
Ths traffic has been carried in violation Of ancien
treaty with Spain and not very ancient either BY the
treaty of London 17S6, it. expressly stipulated by
Great Britain that she would strictly prohibit all her
"Subiects from furnishing warke stores 10 the
Ind, tod