Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-18
SPEECH OF Mr.. UNDERWOOD,
OF KENTUCKY,
ON THE WAR WITH MEXIC0.

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ls SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. FrBnuARr 10 ls4s.
Mr.. PnnsIrExr: We have been engaged in wars with
England that is the only foreign civilized christian naton
Mexico excepted, with which have been involved We
have had two with England, in both of which we were
conendng Tor great principles upon which rest the insu
lions and liberties Of country The American people well
understand the principles for the establishment OF which their
entered upon the OF the revolution They
published tothe world in the ever-memoabe Declaration Of
Independence. The principles or the defence OF which the
Of 1912 declared, equally well understood They
promulgated the phy sentence Stree trade and sail
os rights The people OF the United States would not suf-
fer Great Britain by her orders in council to ammel or COM
INIT spoations upon their commerce nor would shey permit
their merchant vessels TO be arrested and entered and
sailors Impressed and made fight the battles of England
board British ofwar armed vessels To resist the
practice Of mpressment and sRoaon we went to war 1872
The OF these two with our mother country and
the pTncipeeinvolved matters of history pro-
pose, Mr. President inquire into the principles and causes
Of the existing with Mexico The people of this country
wish know what they fighting for and what objects
to be accomplished
In the progress Of this debate have Witnessed the part
of those whosusta the Administrations and especially the
part Of the chairman Of the Committee Foreign Relations,
great research and much anxiety TO find precedens in the
past history Of country justify every of the Pres
dent in relation 10 the existing know full well he force
Of pecedenis. As individuals do what fathers have
done Naonsn single action may set example to be
followed through successive ages Legislative and Judicial
precedents become authority International law is built up
demolished by the military action OF nations. IL IL there
fore OF lasting consequence ascertain what pecedents
establishing for future government and what prn
cpes asserting in the face OF nations look back
with exulaon npon the principles ad the actions OF those
who resisted the domneerng conduct and arbitrary cxaclons
Of Great Britain. behold our ancestors struggling against
oppression aHd in favor OF liberty, and in their conduct find
cheering example for the imitation OF The oppressed OF all
nations in their conduct find great principles of right and
liberty indicated and maintained feel thrill OF gratitude
for the blessings enjoy consequent their sacrifices. And
now the midst of Mexican hostEties, naturally in
quire will Gilden regard with Mexico, compare
lively weak having been based upon the high pino
Piles which governed when tbay being weak
sisted the strong Of British power Wat lessons
teaching children and the world by policy towards
Mexico Are guided by the landmarks OF liberty Are
acting the recognised principles International law,
we building code by which we are to be
emed although rejected and condemned by all other nations
Before going into these monentous Subjects beg leave TO
call the attention Of the Senate the made upon the free
dom of speech by the supporters and yndcatos of the
against Mexico Ia their beseen they denounce all
these who question the sagacy of the President traitors,
giving aid and comfort TO heenemy The President him
seet the example II has been followed by Executive par
tsans with unparalleled malgn 1t has at length to
this that those who do agree with the Administration
denounced in the Executive ogan the Union, and other Aft
lated presses, in terms usay applied by vulgar wrath to the
vilest criminals copy OF the Onion, now before me,
charges abe members Of Congress both Houses with making
speech after speech aganst the rights and honor OF the cean
try and publishes the opinions of officers and soldiers in The
army TO prove that the course of the opposition in egardto
the has had the ndspuabe effect Of cheering the enemy
anu the Pearce represented
clarng in public speech that extracts e American papers,
repubshed Mexico constituted the food which fed the
ferocy that pursued the army every tR and caused the
butchery of every soldier who fell into their Mexcan hands
Under the head Of just Indignation informed
by the Union that correspondent Of the Pennsylvania
writing from the city OF Mexico relative the republication at
that place of the speech of distinguished member of this
Senate declares that the army here in Mexico deeply
ncense by such display of selfish party ambition, sacrificing
TRUTH principle, country, and his eounymen, all to his
weening desire for place. and adds he execons against
hun are deep and bitter, and the words villain, uaor, in
every mouth But is needless TO dwell upon charges like
these, made against members Of Congress They yarei
and multiplied and issued daily from Administration press
If The design sfe investigation and restrain the
liberty Of speech by denuncaon and abuse. II is evil
omen when the officers and soldiers Of the army begin 10
charge Legislators with vany and treason When the army
only pure and contains all The patriotism the land their
denuncaon may possibly be succeeded by clearing the halls
OF legislation with the bayonet. Cromwell and Napoleon
knew how denounce aud subvert legislatures Washing
ton, had he allowed the Newburg letters operate upon him.
might have marched the glorious Continental Congress of
the Revolution and ended their deliberations by band Of sol
dlers The amendment OF my colleague (Mr. CRITTEDES)
proposing substitute volunteers the place Of regulars has
been voted down. mainly upon the ground, if judge
from the debae that the volunteer had attachments home
and country that he had business pursue and that he had
personal WORTH pride OF character which would not allow
him to become mere machine Remember, you pass this
BILL the ranks be filled with who have place in
the business affairs Of life and who have ties TO bring them
back from Mexico Such the arguments favor OF egu
ratner volunteers such soldiers would be
Chimes under such generals Cromwell and Napoleon and
although there may be danger during the continuance Of
the present generaon that successful commander in
will totally revoluonze The Government of the United States
yet army composed Of The materials which the friends of the
Administration 10 prefer be induced place their
commander hrone provided he introduced into his policy
feuda SYSTEM and divided out the lands of Mexico
among his supporters Whatever the army may do 10 the
progress Of events hope that the body Of the American peo
pie have not forgotten the maxn that the military should be
subordinate to the civil power Of the State and that large
standing armies dangerous TO liberty. shall proceed TO
express my opinions Of the principles and tendcncic the
e!!...::ng war; regardless Of anticipated denupcaons
There another preliminary remark desire to make. We
have been, ia substance told here elsewhere, that those
who object the conduct Of the President in reference 10 the
war; and speak and write in opposition to the principles and
actions Of the Executive whilst they manifest their fac
ous emper dsgacng the character Of the country, and
bringing upon themselves the odum which attached to the
ries Of revolution. Denominations like these usually come
from persons having personal interest in the prosecution of
the war; party interest to subserve Those who feel the
interests of party such have, great extent, the
sponsbiliy OF beginning the their shoulders Nth
these is nothing than political to endeav
identity themselves with the honor and glory Of the
try and 10 the mpcss that those who oppose them
and their measures furnishing the character and bringing
disgrace upon the county Such selfish ckey is too thin
" yelled hide itself from intelligent and discerning pub.
lic The manner in which this commenced can reflect
neither honor disgrace upon the great body OF the people
Of United States the obvious They were
consulted upon the subject The did not even