Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-09-08


President was not so much 10 blame Tor ordering
the march, as for not combining The army 10 the
defence OF the disputed territory, instead OF cross
ing the Rio Grande, and moving into the interior
OF Mexico. Mr. Caskie endeavored 10 answer
the latter view by throwing the responsibility on
General Taylor forgetting, we suppose, tnat Uen'
Taylor was ordered long before, II The Mexicans
or attempted 10 cross, the Rio Grande, 10
cross il himself and take Maamoras and "olher
places" Nor did Mr.. Caskle mend his error by
his very incorrect quotation from MI. Cnlenden,
who did mol say, in the debate on the war Dill,
when Washington was filled with alarms for The
tae OF the army, that General Taylor ought 10
have crossed The Rio Grande in pursuit OF The
enemy, but with General Taylors previous in
slruclions then before the Senale and doubtless
fully aware OF their character, made this remark
able prediction:
Mr.. Crittenden hoped that the emergency would not
be found so pressing as some Senators appeared 10
suppose lie had great confidence In the officer COM
handing The forces the Rio Grande and was pretty
conhdent tha In eightand forty hours after the date
Ct last adyces, 1t would be found that the General
commanding had whipped the meIicans, driven them
across The river, and was in the town of hatamoras
lie might be wrong, but that was his speculation
Times.
Our decided impression is, that no order was
given 10 General Taylor TO cross the Rio
Grande; but, whether il was given or moi, is
matter of no importance. II is poor compli
ment to General Taylor, to wish to throw the
responsibility of so wise and proper a movement
off from General Taylor. We have too good an
opinion of Old Fac, as military man, to doubt
for moment that, ordered or not, ne would
pursue the enemy across the Rio Grande, as ne
did Ths Times itself is in error, when it
charges Mr. Caskie, always accurate in his
facts, with every incorrect quotation from
Mr.. Crittenden." In full vindication of Mr..
Caske, and in calculation Of the history of the
time, we quote without comment few leading
points, which we collate from the debate on The
18th May, 1916. We deem it unnecessary to
reilerate the argument against the proprIety OF
the march 10 the Rio Grande, TO which the Times
devotes so much space yesterday. Mr.. Lyons,
who is an atle lawyer, we'll read 10 international
and constitutional law, has taken a peculiar
ground" witch, coming from such high authori-
ty, fully ju,tifes the much abused march Of the
army 10 th. Rio Grande. Our sole object is 10
acquit Mr. Caskie Of the smallest "incorrect
quotation" as the following will show:
UNITED STATES SENATE, May IL, 1916.
Mr.. CLAYTON, with view Of affording time
for consideration, changed bis motion, SO as to
strike out Of the first section the words, prose
cution Of sid war; and to insert the words,
"wth view of enabling the Government Of
the United States to repel inpasion, the Presi
dent be hereby authorized to employ the naval
and mililar, force" SC
Mr.. Critlsnden was in favor Of voting for any
amount of ilnds which might be deemed neces
sary 10 rep.l invasion, by which he meant not
only driving the. enemy beyond the river, but in
pursuing hin pnd beating him d"un, so that our
borders should no longer be in danger Of repe-
! tition Of thsgftnce.
Mr.. Cri,tnden said that he did not know
tina, he would be willing to limit the Govern
ment to repeling invasion. Perhaps he would
be satisfied with an expression Of what he
meant By roeliDg invasion. He meant by
that, pursuig, beating down, till the borders
were freed rom danger OF repetition of The
invasion. lie believed it was indispensable pc
Icy 10 max the war as sharp and short as
possible. te would be willing 10 give the
means to tn, President, for the purpose Of re-
pelling inysion, and otherwise prosecuting
hos,illties, Il the peace of The country be Sc
cured from he danger Of farther inrasion. He
would moyto strike out, and insert something
like that wtrh he had suggested.
Mr. CaIoun said that the Senator from
Kentucky Or. Crittenden) had made sugges-
lion which ave this bill all possible efficiency;
ability to psecute the hostililies, not merely to
the frontier but beyond it. They could do no
moro than lat.
The motu Of Mr.. Barrow, to strike out the
words, 'pr.ecute said war to speedy and
successful ermination,' so as to make the
| preamble nd, "that for the purpose of enabling
the Governent Of the United States to repe.
| the inuasio, the President is hereby" &C., was
decided in ne nega'ive-2O to 25
Mr.. Crisnden then moved to strike out from
| the first sction Of the bill the words, ''prose
cute said ar to speedy and successful termi
nation" afinsert, 'for the purpose Of repel
ling the MISSION, the President is hereby" SC.
Isl, 20, 26 same vote as before, except that
Mr.. Wcsrds name was added TO the nays.
MIR. Huing,on moved 10 strike out The pre-
| ambe.
In answsto the argumen' that the resolution
of annexaon expressly referred 10 the settle
menl OF III disputed boundary between Texas
| and Mexic MIR. Reverdy johnson, OF Maryland,
sal that Nxico claims the 1rhoe Of Teas We
cannot go Mexico, therefore, 10 ask about our
boundaries She denies the existence OF such
Safe as lxas. We go 10 Texas 10 inquire
about the tundary.
The morn 10 strike out the preamble was
lost-l8 to 3.
The blpassed-ayes 40, noes 2, (Messrs
Thomas Clylon and "Honesl John Davis y Se-
majors BERN, Calhoun aud Evans did mol VOTE
Senators Cnenaen and Upham voted faye, ex-
cept the premble"