Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-03-31

hers of this House would have been pleased
to see bills reported appropria,ing all the
means necessary to bring our army back to
our own territory in safety. la that event,
if enough OF our party had felt disposed to
unite with the Democrats to change such
bills, SO as to grant the men and money ne
cessary to continue the work of conquest,
they could have done so. Tho responsibility
would then have rested where it should rest
on those who intentionally sustain the war.
But, as the fucts now exist, the Wing party
have in a great degree relieved the President
aud his party of their responsibility, and have
taken it upon ourselves.
This state of things | had greatly desired
10 avoid. | had foretold its existence ia De-
cember last. prior 10 the organic alton of this
House; and to my Wing colleagues Iexprcs-
sed my determination to have no share in
producing it. | was then conscious that the
honorable gentleman who now fills the office
of Speaker, if elected, would so constitute
the Committee of Ways and Means as to Sc
cure the reports of bills approprialing the ne
cessary means TO continue the work Of ra-
pine and murder in Mexico. | mention these
things with perfect respect for the honorable
Speaker and the honorable members compo.
sing the committee TO which | have alluded.
i DItoulliF ilNil lONtN " UG as IUIC DIS III
own, but ! could not bring my mind TO agree
to this policy. Every sentiment ofmy heart
was opposed TO it. | was therefore compel
led to vote against the election of the honor
able gentleman who now fills that office. |
tad denounced the President for involving
us in a war which ! deemed barbarous and
criminal. Nor could | discover any good
reason 10 believe that the work of cutting the
MeXicaUs thr0ats had become sanctiiied in
the sight of Heaven by its continuance
With such feelings, | could not lend my vote
to assist in electing any man to Office who ]
believed would exert his official influence in
favor of continuing this war. | then felt,
and | now feel, that, had | voted for tho e.
lection of any man, knowing that his official
influence would he thus exerted, should
have involved myself in the guilt attached to
the wholesale murders carried on in Mexico.
| therefore refused to vote for the gentleman
nominated, for the reason that | believed he
would arrange the Committee of Ways and
Means precisely as he has done; and that the
policy of The administration in regard to this
war would be sustained by the Wing party,
which would be thus made TO assume its obi.
UNI.
Sir, | would not participate in such res.
possibility. ] intended to ~lustrate mysel
and the people whom | represent from thu
guilt attached TO the murder of our fellow be
ings in Mexico. When PLATE, a pagan 90,
vernon, saw that the people were determined
=, on shedding innocent blood, he took waite
r and washed his hands, declaring himself x
empt FROM the crime they were about TO com
init; and shall l., a protesting Christian, ant
representing a Christian people, hesitate t
wash my hands of the overwhelming crime!
; Of this war! No, sir, nertr.
| saying this, ! Judge for no other perso,
than those whom | represent. ] regard ever,
life sacrificed in this war ii murder, attende
with all the moral guiltaltacIed to that crime
; That guilt, in my view, must rest upon al
: who aid in carrying on hosrililies in Mexico
: and ! wish it to be distinctly understood, tina
I no party Ties nor party policy could Undue
Inc to participate in such guilt. | would nc
leave the position which our whole part
maintained in 1911, to unite with our oppC
5 nenls TO sustain a wal which we then so loud
ly condemned. II we were right in oppc
sing it then, we must be wrong in supper
I ting it now: MEN often change; principle
5 never"