The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-14

hcaon Can we go behind the record, and instead of
the negolator' say that the history of this
or that OF any other does not furnish objection of such
character The constitution prescribes when and how
you are at liberty, IN connexion with the Executive TO
look INTO the character and appoint your negOator But
after me President exercises his lawful night in the int
KIN OF Congress you cannot examine the character of
The negotaor You cannot raise the objection that the
negotiation was without authority if it have been sane
toned by the Executive. II you had such right, you
might override the constitutional authority OF the Presi-
dent, which allows him to appoint negotiatof without
your authority in the interim Of Congress When gentle
men then call on us Tor parallel Of this procedure we
But again 1t is said that ''we have reversed the nat
ura order of hings'-that the proceeding is ''gro-
then appointed minister penpotentiary to negotiate it.
think that not the true state OF the facts This treaty
was negotiated by Mr.. Tris 1t was sent here for atf
| cation; it amended In the mean time the powers
of Mr.. Trst gone. We have accredited agent in
Mexico and, after the treaty has been ratified by and
is about be returned to that country for the action of
its government we send with it, as we must d. an ac.
credited agent Is there anything IN this at all gro-
esque" or unusual "
feet only the form of procedure They touch not the
substance the of the thing The question is in
regard to the treaty ITSELF and not regard to the charac
ter OF him who negotiated it, or the form in which 1t was
presented to now propose to consider the treaty it.
self frankly admit that it is bad enough admit that
it was no choice of mine admit that il was the seec-
ton of altemave-one evil in preference only to a
greater evil. We have been told here that if we did
not dlsust ourselves and our power, we might meet
the treaty now and through all time | grant it, But
say that if that third consist OF those gentlemen who
have denounced the war from the beginning unjust
and niquous they, under these circumstances. de-
feat such treaty and continue such they ought
to feel OF their though was written
down for them by the light of sunbeam We have
been forced from the beginning to deal with alternatives.
In the beginning OF the war, we granted supplies al
though driven to the alternative OF admitting under pro-
Test that the commenced by the act of Mexico In
the prosecution of the war, have continued supplies
rather than armies defeated and at the end
OF the war, are willing TO vote Tor peace with
territory, rather than to take the chance OF continuance
OF the war and mere territory At lis close 1t has been
with choice OF alternatives from first to last will
not defend this treaty mere matter of bargain lcae
not whether the senator from Massachusetts BE- rght
wrong the view which he has taken Of this matter
of bargain | care no. whether New Mexico he near to
far from care not how isolated may be its pos
tion care not though her plains be barren, though her
hills be desoate though every drop OF water which ckles
whether grass grows or water ruhs-wheher there be
there 'beass OF the field, fowls of the air, any
creeping thing not any nor all OF these considerations
have controlled my action this subject In some
spects, indeed DO not know but fewer evils will grow
out OF this accession of territory if be the miserable
and worthless thing that the senator has represented it,
than if it good fertile country inviting speedy set
Element But we do at least get something by the treaty
The administration get the ports Of San Francisco and
minis,ralion surely has ''the fifteen pence in pocket
and for taking this little value they entitled to the
thou m sa
matter of bargain something had forssomethng
paid care not, though the thing be as miserable and
contemplate the senator describes it. The value of
the country seriously entered into my considera
ton as an element in the decision OF this question.
But then the senator asks why not strike out this terri
tory and take peace without it, g The things" says he,
care separabe He AYERS that can have peace just
promptly just easily just honoraby, without ter
work of his whole argument i is begging the entire
question His whole argument is thus based upon pre-
misses in fact His position is, that peace
be obtained as speedily and as honorably WITHOUT terri
tory with it. Let us examine this position. The ques
ton is not between and Mexico only but between US
and this administration
territory Again and again, for two years, the admins
traton have declared their determination that territory
shall be acquired Gentlemen who have opposed the war
have been calling for peace peace peace but there
peace to be had without territory In the official de-
caraons of the President in the declaration of heads of
departments, the declarations of the friends of the ad
mnistraton in both branches of Congress- has been an
nounced u.s. Mexico and to the world they would
not negotiate for less territory than acquired BY the
treaty The President the United States gone
to recommend that territorial government be established
in that country, long since in our possession, and
coded to by the treaty We have had too the official
that if this treaty were now rejected no nego
tiaon would be allowed even attempted for less terri
tory than we obtained by it., And | may 60 further
while on this subject and add, if there be aught in ru-
NOR of the leading members OF this administration,
and of the cabinet presidential aspirants too actually
oppose the ratification OF this treaty upon the ground that
gives little territory. Now, what becomes of the
position that we can have peace as promptly without ter
ritory with it, And yet upon that assumption, i'm
the entire argument But, says the senator from Massa-
chusetts fee the enemy and he may retire before you
''Mr. Polk put his foot down $40 40, and it did
stay down." Sir, the differ; differ just widely as
the power of Mexico differs from that of Great Britain
Besides is but just the administration to say that
they pledged themselves to hold on to 54s 40 with
the tenacty with which they stand committed to hold on
to New Mexico and California, although they did declare
very vehemently the right to do so
repeat, then, that, far Judge from the
facts before can have no peace during this admin
sation without territory If could the past history
of the administration would be fable, and the event
would give every official the ie For myself
do not cannot believe it. | compelled to act from
the light before me.
But, says the distinguished SENATOR IF the admin
saton do not choose to make peace without territory,
am willing to 60 before the country on that question |
am willing to put to the people, will you bring more
States into the UnonH" ask, sir when will the sena
tor present that issue to the peope In popular cleo
ton next fall Well, if he should succeed upon
that issue-which is than doubul-he must defer
the accomplishment of his object till the following
spring. in other words for the purpose of testing his ex
pertinent before the people, this continue Tor an
other year, the sacrfe of thousands of lives and vast
expenditure of money But suppose, unfortunately that
the should be mistaken, and that he and should
be disappointed this issue what then The party
coming into power committed they are on this sub
ec committed they doubtless will be still further by
resolutions at certain convention 10 be held in Nav
next; nlamed by success this ISSUE what will be
the RESULT Sir, it will be of two things Mexico to
the Sierra Marie, Mexico entire The Senator avs
I'VE remble before Executive influence we fear lest
the Kings anger may klnde;" and who" he asks, is
Mr. Polk" All we asked that very question little more