The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-07
more Ind leaving to themselves 10 propos. boundary

more nd leaving to themselves to propose boundary
This would be giving them new life or encouragement
II the President could be weak 10 present such
proposition, they would say al here il some mys-
terry IN thus sudden change some difficulty IN the affairs
OF the American government" which would encourage
them 10 perseyere hosttes under the impression that
we would ultimately be compelled to give up our con-
quests and Tins would be reasonable conclusion from
| now come TO some general remarks which wish TO
make upon the question OF the with Mexico: And
first, s have to say that there is thing which has
appeared TO me very singular IN this discussion on the
part OF gentlemen the other side OF the chamber The
Presdentln his message has declared what he thinks
me nght course TO be pursued; and gentlemen Of the
democratic party, generally have concurred with the
views ne has taken; while those the opposite side
object to the policy in the most decided manner But
they do not tell us what they would do 1t very easy to
find fault, but not easy TO tell what would be the
night course to pursue.
The studied silence of opponents this subject is
the more surprising because had indications before the
meeting OF this session of Congress- that the objects of the
war ought 10 be declared and the President compelled to
abide by them Mr. Clay, in his Lexington speech said
81 conclude, therefore, Mr. President and felow-ctzens
with entire confidence, that Congress has the right either
at the beginning or during the Prosecution of war to
cd, or for which ought to be continued And think il
is the duty Of Congress, by some deliberate and authentic
longer prosecuted suppose President would not hcsi-
regulate his conduct by the pronounced will of Con-
the nation execute that viii But il the President should
or Of 5ess to 40 snd in ohs %
for other objects than those proclaimed by Congress, then
y 9s y b os dsy of e hs Say 70 nd
PIRATE measures And IT, ON the contrary the enemy should
the objects designated by Congress- it would become the
dny OF the whole government to the with
by treaty Of There can be no d
Guilty 10 Congress making such authoritative DECLARE
be war of conquest ana if war of CONQUEST, what Il
be conquered Should resolution pass dscaming the
duty" $40 '' '' = i' .H'' '''A'
This is frank and decided do not see any reasonable
objections to the course suggested.
/ | do not know what the Presidents opinions are-I
speak only for myself; but would be very glad, and
think the President would be also gratfed il Congress
would adopt such course. Why has not this course
been adopted
There has been another announcement Of this prnci-
pie, and very emphatic one, from another quarter.
read only this morning this decided declaration of
opinion from gentleman in another department of the
general government
My SIR: To all human appearance, the teimina-
ton Of this miserable with Mexico smore remote
when 5he first blow struck. In my judgment, ii was
UNNECESSARILY and by march
Mexico Ana think that Congress- who
the power should put an end to the war just and
After agreeing upon the which treaty should
be made they should call upon the Executive by resolution
negotiation holite. should be suspended II the Presi
dent shall refuse do this, in the military appropriation
shall carry the views of Congress. These bills the
President could not veto and he would be bound by their
This is perfectly frank and clear, and admits of no
doubt
gentemen approve of this doctrine let them subscribe
or no. Do you approve of it or do you note have,
and the people have, right to demand from gentlemen
the other side what are their views'
have idea that there will be any peace until the
presidential election is over and is to be supposed that
the people are going to vote in the dark
do hope, then, that those gentlemen who differ with
much. and find a much faulf will n an
OF their owns or, at all events. that they will say this
question, yea OF nay Let them sign the bond Here it
want to know whether they will propose to with
draw the army TO give up, not only the indemnity of
millions which our citizens claim but say that all the
suggestion made by the honorable senator from South
Carolina, 20 to Mexico and fall on our knees and en-
treat that She will make peace on her own terms -
Mr. BUTLER. beg the senator will allow me to
say that never assumed any such proposition; and
to- at all ustdes such an Inference as has been drawn
am quite at loss to know how the gentleman could
have arrived at such conclusion. certainly said that
without ali pedgns myself s to it. did mot
wish to extort terms from her under duress-at the
mouth of the cannon. 50 far regards the indemnity
due us. whatever be the amount, stated that would
insist on an adjustment of it, allowing Mexico simply
freedom in the conduct of the negotiaongving her the
PRIVILEGE OF indicating such boundaries as would be most
lies said nothing to authorize the extravagant propo
sition of the senator from Louisiana
Mr.. DOWNS The gentleman, hope, did not under
stand saying he used those identical words 'fal
ing on knees" That was mere figure of speech
did think however and still think that that very
much the meaning of the language employed by the hon.
orable senator.
In the line of argument which have marked out for
myself on this subject shall next proceed to consider
the OF the 1t is said that the President made
thiswar by ordering the troops to the Rio Grande diff
fer from this opinion totally.
believe the could not have been avoided--that
4 N fha dpcf md fho
folly OF the weak and mbecle government of Mexico.
If Il were necessary to look for other of the
war than this conduct of Mexico could suggest an
other much more probable than that of the
duct of the President
believe grew out of the obstinacy OF the Mexican
government in insisting upon her claim to the dominion
of Texas after all the principal nations of the world had
recognised her as an Independent republic But, if
should look for other causes than this at home, and if
should say that it not alone from the perversty of
Mexico but from the actions and opinions of certain
persons within the United States, should be much
er the truth than by atrbutng to any act of the Presi
dent or OF Gen. Taylor. 1t owing the posi-
to the announcement made in 1914, from very high
quarter, that the annexation of Texas cause of
war Mr. Clay, in his letter of 1914, says:
81 consider the annexation of Texas this time with
out the assent of Mexico, the national char
acter and involving certainly in with Mexico, and
with other foreign powers" grr .l.t0l
This cry has been kept up SINCE and is the more
likely to be the of the than any act of the
President
Now do not say that this declaration the cause of
warvey far from it but if to attribute it any
cause arising within the country, this s the to
which would point There were peculiar circumstances
which gave to this declaration extraordinary weight