The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-12
SPEECH OF MR. TURNKEY,
or TENNESSEE,

IN Senate of tie United States February H. 1s4s-On
The bill reported from the Committee Military Affairs
10 raise for a limited time, additional military force
Mr. TURNEY said
Mr. PRESIDENT: believe that speedy action on the
mi now under consideration is of the highest importance
10 the country; and ! would now cheerfully yield the
eoor the could be taken immediately that ques-
ion But the discussion has become protracted. and
duv seems be imposed upon all to state their views on
the great subject involved in the BILL deem it to be
nroper TO submit the consideration of the Senate and
he country the sentiments and opinions which entertain
in reference to this subject
In the first place. sir, desire to express my cheerful
assent TO the elaborate discussion of the question
now before us find fault with no gentleman tor the
fullest expression of his opinions, although that express
sion OF opinion may be calculated, in my Judgment to
affect injuriousy the interests of his country Ii be-
eved as senator's this floor profess to believe tina,
this war is unjust and unconstitutional | should unite
with the senators from New Hampshire (Mr. HALE, ]
Massachusetts,, [Nlr DAvls,] and Ohio Mr.. CoRwIN
should take middle Sir, hold that no mid
die be taken. If country be in the wrong
in this Wharf.-The war has been unconstutionally waged,
for the attainment OF the ambitious views of the Execu-
vepaotsm, justice, every consideration, demand that
the should be stopped. In such case, should
certainly unite with the gentleman from New Hampshire
in the declaration that could give vote of thanks to
individuals engaged in the prosecution of the for pur
poses OF robbery and plumber. should feel that those
who engaged in fighting the battles of the country
in this were to be regarded in the light of the mid
upon his plumber, and that every genuine lover OF his
country bound to arrest the progress of such
But | differ altogether from the views which these
gentlemen have expressed and think that entertain
ing such views, their policy is by no consistent
they should bring this to a close This leads me to
the inquiry, not to the details of this bill, or the
character of the troops to be raised but directly regard
10 the justice of The war.
In the consideration of this question. must call the
attention of the Senate and the country important
fact When the bill recognising the existence of this
war was before this body we did not hear from any
quarter in this chamber that the would be unjust
We heard from no Senator that the grew out
Of the p removal of the army frcm Corpus Christi to
uttered in relation to that questions and yet then,
| contend, was the proper time at which it should
have been brought up, | am surprised that scna-
tors did not then take that ground of opposition to
the bill declaring that war existed by the act of Mexico
Was there single individual here then, who believed
that there was possibility. by any legislative action Of
ours, to raise troops and convey them the Rio Grande
to reinforce General Taylor, and relieve him
from the dangerous condition in which it was supposed
he was placed! Did any gentleman then suppose thai
the troops would arrive i'll time to relieve Gen Taylor
He was at Fort Brown, surrounded by the Mexican
army, and having at his depot only small quantity OF
provisions. He was without the means of subsistence
for than few days He was of necessity obliged
to seek supplies and in order to do to encounter the
enemy in the open field. Did any senator believe that il
possible for the government, by any legislative
ton, raise additional military FORCE and convey
them to the Rio Granle in time to render any aid in
Treating General Taylor from his then dangerous condi.
tion it appeared to be! No gentleman entertained
such an idea motion made to strike out the pre-
ambIe and assigned for striking it out, but
such that had invaded the Mexican ter.
ritory. Far from il, as will be able to show, concu
the uncertainty as to the fact whether war did in point
OF TACT, exist.
Well, we are now engaged in war; and as it is, as
shall maintain, just war; hold that ought to be pros
ecuted to the utmost great deal OF complaint has been
made because the has not been brought TO close
lst ask in the power of this government to bring the
to close in honorable manner, securing to the
country the gea objects for which It has been posecu
ted am OF opinion that the war would long since have
been brought to close but for divisions. II
the whole American people could have thought alike in
we should long since have had it brought to a close
Our divisions and the knowledge of them the part
the Mexican government, have protracted this war
Mexico powerful party in the United States
rayed against the war; and she is thus encouraged to
sst in her obstnacy, in the hope that eventually, she
may obtain such treaty as she desires And here lei
me ask, What sort of treaty would that be which those
who oppose the war could consistently accept!
It's natural that men should differ about almost every sub
jec submitted to the consideration OF the human mind bu
tits rather singular that difference Of opinion should be
men and money demanded by the Executive for the
prosecution OF the war at the last session of Congress
Them our cause admitted to be just: but after some
progress is made find ourselves divided in opinion
not in regard to the in which the should be
prosecuted not in regard to the mode in which it had beer
far conducted, but in relation to its origin It's
and its Objects and this division OF opinion correspondet
exactly to party lines free to confess, that in the
contemplation of such state of things there is almos
enough to shatter condence the stability and pespetuy
OF our free institutions and form OF government II this
were the first time that witnessed division OF opinion
and that too upon questions connected with our foreign
relations, should almost be tempted to say that the days
OF the republic were numbered. But we are not lett
without hope, in the midst of this divided state
OF public OPINION In the struggle Tor independence
there was great division OF popular sentiment; and
again, in the of 1919, similar divided state oil
public opinion existed and that, too, according to strict
party lines. We all know the effect OF such course
upon the enemy They divided amongst ourselves.
ihey are thus led to entertain hopes which otherwise
they would not for moment cherish. Especially does
ms division OF sentiment operate to our disadvantage,
when 1t is known by the enemy that according to our
system OF government, rulers have to be selected
every four years. and that that period now rapidly APP
preaching The enemy is thus encouraged to cherish
strong hopes of obtaining a more advantageous settle
men after the presidential election, which they suppose
may introduce another party into power In The admins
ualon OF the public affairs. We heard the other day
from my colleague, that party was tyrant That was
true and Just remark We have seen 1t exemplined IN
our own State Previous TO the appearance OF the letters
OF the distinguished statesmen of New York and OF Ken
lucky IN opposition to annexation believe there was
not single Individual OF either party opposed TO thai
measure not only but in my OPINION the feelings OF
All members of both parties in that section OF the country
were engaged in favor of the measure. Yet notwlfh-
standing this of feeling, such the power, such
the tyranny, of party and party discipline that in thai
oae majority of the people were induced to cast tne
votes IN favor of the man who opposed 1t, and asans
Inc man who advocated it, This they did, not In accord
ance with their own Judgment OF feelings, but under the
non rod of this tyrant party and party discipline
But that might be regarded aquestion merely OF ex
pedencyone, to be sure involving the great interests
and prosperity OF the country but equal in importance
70 that now under consideration. The present question
has totally different aspect and think that, IN the
course of the argument presented by my colleague he