Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-02-11
PEECH OF MR.. PEARCE.
Cor MARYLAND0
On the Zen Regiment Bill.
[. S. SENATE, Jan. lS, 1918.

the attention of the Senate is this that. as we
were in possession-that being assumed, though
| think | have shown that it was not so-thc
President was bound to march the forces of the
United States to the Rio Grande. in order to dis
possess the McXicans
Mr.. Jorysoy.--I did not say 50.
Mr.. PEARCE.--l am aware that the Senator
did not take that positions it is the language OF
the President himself and find it repeated in
the Union to-day | hold that if Texas had a
rghtiul claim TO the country. it being in posses
sion Of MeXico. this gave him no right to march
the troops of the United States there. That
was an act Of war. which, under the Consttu-
ton of the United States, the President had 10
right TO commit this is solely at the discretion
of Congress. and is usurpltion in the other
branch of the government. no matter under what
circumstances it may be done. ! make this dec
| Iaraton under HIGH authority. Let me remind
the Senate Of the examples given by the Scna-
tor from North Carolina, Mr.. Badger. at the
last session. Wien Mr.. jefferson addressed IL
confidential communication TO Congress, and in
vitCd their attention TO the condition of a Ger
tain portion OF the State OF Louisiana. then held
By spain. in violation OF the treaty of 1903, he
represented to Congress that he had tried ncgo-
tiation in VAIN but did not feel at liberty to send
the United States forces into that part of Louis
lana because, as he said, that act, Spain being
in possession. might change the relations of the
country, and transfer them from a state OF peace
to IA state Of war That territory clearly belong
ed unto us alone, but was not taken possession o!
by order OF the President Spain for a long
time retained possession Of the port of Mobile,
and the Florida parishes, they were called.
Nor were the latter taken possession of by the
arms of the United States until 1910: the coun-
try was rcvoIuonzcd by set of private adven-
turers. who etup government for themselves.
In that state OF affairs, Congress not being in
session, MIR. Madison issued Il proclamation and
took possession; because otherwise, as he said,
the Sc parishes would have been considered de-
rclict. lie took 1t ont ct the hands OF the PR
vatc adyeniurers who had oua!ed the Spanish
authorities and taken possession of Mr. Mad
ison did not take possession of Mobile till 1918,
after the passage oi the secret act oil Congress
u una, year. '"'it'''''"S MN - u" So' NoW'
/ H'l' ut.' "P'" tlI Sue"-t' 81 t"e d"'Ho''l''s
t'' II Hle"''" h'u P'NHcSH'1H VI u'e tc'i."II' OF
any part % ,"e '[''to'!' .oy,"c'h tle N"oc''
/ anu 'n' me Nrd'oet even II u.rl Hau CoI'''HitN"-
/ gu ], F"'" '"G "Pr">''e JAN" o' Ue river, IL 'heY
IN EH' "a'e zone III ha'aniof"S, me irrS'deul
naa ~ Fgt 10 taNe possession ct ihht portion OF
1t ~ t"e ''a'yS"'"il "a -'t'%'co' MS IS not th2
Only instance "t '"e lo'Jcardnce Wi,h WMch
TINS Government mas submitted to the holding
OF country ny IoIr2n nations, c,Hmed by US
Low toHH W'5 IL Dt'ore cera'h bTiusl posts IN
tUueo Nl'4i.' tue minus OF rhe ,hlleu states ny
tne tIea.Y o. 90, "c'ua!iy came mo our PorSeH
son urea, "L''ill heia lHehh; 'h!l'k, from %
TN a'ttl 90! utd,E anu tt uclt"t Vi H'e III