Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-04
SPEECH OF Mr.. MILLER,
OF NEW JERSEY,
on THE TEN REGIMENT BILL.

The Senate having under consideration the bill TO raise for
limited time an additional military force, Mr. MILLER adj
dressed the Senate as follows
M PnEsIpEST II is quite evident that this discussion
has been prolonged until il has lost all freshness and much
m interest Yet the questions which it has brought under
consideration of such deep national importance that fee
Il INV duty the patience of the Senate while express
the reasons for the vote intend to give
Much has said in the of this debate about the
preamble 10 the Of the 18th Of May, 1916 As will
be necessary in the view. intend 10 take of this war; to in
ue into the truth Of the fact asserted in that preamble,
will pass with this single remark, that the authors
of that preamble intended by to force The sanction Of Con
gres to doubtful and disputed point in the history OF this
war; and thereby she future investigation has turned Out
60 be but slim and shallow device Truth cannot be smot
cred beneath preamble My object at present IS to pass BY
The preamble and 10 examine the which it is appended
By the first section of TINT act il is declared
That for the purpose of enabling the Government OF The
United States 70 prosecute said war % speedy ana
mpoy the militia naval and military force Of the United
States call for and accept the services OF any number Of
volunteers exceeding fifty thousand who may offer their
services either cavalry, artillery, nanry or rieme 10
serve twelve months after they shall have arrived at the place
of rendezvous or to the end of the war; unless dis
CHARGED according TO the time which they shall have been
mustered service and that the sum OF ten millions OF
dollars out of any moneys in the Treasury or 10 come
Treasury not oherw appropriated be and the same here
by appropriated for the purpose OF carrying the provisions OF
this act into effect"
This the solemn and only declaration made by Congress
the wamakng power under constitution OF the purpose
for which the Government of The United States would prose-
cute the war with Mexico. To this decarafion then, we
look ascertain the objects for which the war 70 be
prosecuted We find it there plainly and distinctly written
that the great object Congress had in view was the speedy and
successful termination of hoshilties.
Il was for this great object and none other, that Congress
authorized the Executive employ the militia the military,
and the naval forces of the United States 1t for this
that we then placed his disposal Sl0 600 900 OF the
ona treasure II is evident from the proceedings of Con-
qress as ao from The message of the President recommend
ing the masure that the existence Of the recognised
by Congress and the military and naval forces of the country
were authorized be employed for the purpose of repelng
what was called by the President invasion of territory
and revenge American blood shed upon American SOIL The
President himself did not dgnify the hostes which had
suddenly broken the disputed territory between the
Nueces and the Rio Gande with the Of He calls
an existing cosion' read from his message of the
tn of May, 1876:
most energetic and prompt measures and the mme-
ae appearance in OF large and overpowerng force
recommended Congress the certain and efficient
Of bringing the existing collision with Mexico to
speedy and successful termination
In making these recommendations deem proper
clare that it my desire only HOSTILE
speedily butto bring all matters dispute bewe this
Government and Mexico early amicable adjustment
Under these circumstances and for these purposes Con-
eess recognised the and authorized the President
cute IT, Congress did not, that time, imagine that they
giving authority the President employ the power
this Government for the conquest Of all any part OF Mex
The sole object bring the war, which then had
but existence TO speedy termination crush
by superior force before it could acquire strength or
which here have voted for all The and money here
tofore asked by the Executive.
1t the purpose Of nabng the Government OF the
United States prosecute the said speedy and sue
cessu termination that Congress has since from time 10
time, granted all the supplies of and money was for
this object citizen soldiers rushed the frontier and drove
back the invading foe for this army crossed the
Rio GRANGE ard took full for American blood shed
upon American soil" II was stu for speedy AMI successful
peace that gallant Monterey enroned Vera
Cruz and battered down It's walls, and compelled the
der OF its castle L was for this they carried the heights Of
Cero Gord and them descending into the valley of Mexico
achieved those glorious and unparalleled victories which
tered to the winds the armies Of Mexico, overthrow her Gov
eminent, and placed her capital in possession
All these things have been done by Congress and hy the
army for the purpose Of bringing this speedy and
successful termination. Now sir, let inquire what the
President has done aid of that purpose What has he
done 10 bring about speedy and successful termination of this
Nothing; aye, sir, than nothing For he did
by wild and unsuccessful project Of his own conlIiyance
for time at least enable the enemy, under the direction
OF Santa Anna, TO prolong the war and he is en-
teaining such schemes Of conquest will only proong
the but must render lis termination disastrous the
honor and interests Of country Entrusted by the cons
tuition with the power of making peace and authorized by
Congress employ the army and navy Of the United
70 terminate The speedily, the President has appears
me, sgnay failed that high power and TO dis
charge thai responsible He has adopted policy with
regard TO The prosecution of the which, whether he in
tended not has delayed and prevented declared pur
pose OF Congress He has added object for the prose
cuton Of the he has INDUCED in schemes Of con-
quest he has gone on, from step to STEP until that
which had but feeble existence the LIST of Nav
1885, has grown into such strength and power now DEFY
control Collision Of troops has advanced national hos
tles rpeing invasion from soil has become vason
by defensive made offensive and aggressive the dis
about boundary line has been converted into war for
boundless territorial acquisition.
The chairman OF the Committee Foirn Relations (M
SEvKR) SAID the other day 10 his speech this war had
been prosecuted by the President in the face Of opposition
unparalleled in any country If that Honorable Senator in
tended by this charge be understood that there ws auy
party this county who had opposed the prosecution Of this
war for purpose declared by Congess the act f the
18th Of May, 1885, beg leave most respectfully deny the
charge On the contrary, the President has had every aid
afforded him, by all parties in the prosecution Of the Tor
that purpose But il the Senator that there op-
position the Of the for the conquest
whole, part of Mexico admit the charge il fol-
extent The Wing party mGsse opposed to tia lar
portion Of your own rry Is opposed to tia majority Of tbs
Senate, believe IS opposed 70 tive know that majority
OF the other House Of Congress is opposed to 1.-THE feeling
OF the country adverse tbe constitution is against it
the safety Of the Union fobids it, This indeed unpa
raleled oppos ION Yet sir the face olhis fearuloppoor
the Executive determined prosecute this
suits 50 nnca 10 the opinions and interests OF the country
We TO have peace short Of the annhaton Of Mexico
Thus has come 10 pass through the exercise Of Executive
power and Executive policy, that that little Of collision
which we thought 10 crush blow by our power, has ad
vanced from strength 10 strength until il has al last ehane,
che nation to its bloody car ard, confused and confounde
by the startling Of arms, told tina
there Is no extcaioa but in throwing the ens Of Govern
nent into the hands Of destiny and bidding the blind go
drive Can be that this nation of law and OF order AM