The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-11
THE CIR Eat SFGECH
OF THE
HON. REVERDY JOHNSON, OF MARYLAND.
The Disruption In the Wing Ranks
&c. lie. &c.
THIRTIE III CONGRESS-,
FIRST SESSION.

syvanis TO abolish slavery IN the District OF Columbia
THE SENATE REPORTER.
The VIcE President laid before the Senate letter
from the reporter that body stating the reasons Of
the imperfect in which the reports had hitherto
appeared, and asking convenient position for
himself and assistants
PETITIONS FOR TERMINATING THE WAR.
Mr. CLAYTON presented petition from the Friends Of
New York. Vermont Michigan, Co. for the adoption Of
measures for the termination Of the war.
PENSION BILL.
Mr.. JOHNSON Qouisisns) on PENSIONS reported bill
granting half pay to widows and orphans Of volunteers
who were killed in Mckee, pursuant to the Presidents
message 1t was read first time.
THE NEW YORK DOCK.
Mr. YrLKE, naval affairs, reported bill making an
additional appropriation Of hundred and sixty thou
sand dollars for the Dry Dock at Brooklyn NAVY
Yard.
that the subject fully discussed last session. was
passed.
PURsERs.
motion made by Mr.. YuLEE for bill for pro-
viding additional pursers, which taken up.
Mr. BApoER's amendment liking them commissioned
officers appointed by advice and Of tho Senate
was adopted.
Another amendment was offered by MIR. WEsroorr,
subscting them to the examination of Board of Exa-
miners, which rejected.
The bill then passed
TINE GOVERNMENT OF OREGON.
Mr. DOUGLASS introduced bill to establish terrific
rial government in Oregon.
CONQUEST MEXICO.
Pending the morning business,
Mr.. HANNEaAN, of Indiana, introduced three resolu.
lions, to the effect
LIST, That no treaty cAn be made with Mexico which
does not guaranty the United States good military
boundary
3D. That no Intervention Of any European power can
be admitted in the affairs Of Mexico
Sd, That it may bsoome proper to hold Mexico as a
province of the United States.
Mr. HArNEoAN asked that the resolutions be printed
and made the order this day two weeks which was
agreed to.
At 10 minutes past one, the
REGIMENT BILL
was taken up.
Mr.. REvEhpr JOHNSON, Of Maryland, took the floor,
and comparative silence succeeded In the crowded
auditory in the gallery and the reporters to work
MIR. JOHNSON said that II he differently situated
he would postpone, SO far he concerned the
sideraton Of this subject but he had professional
gsgements which would admit Of aelay-and he de-
sired not to postpone the passage of this BILL He having
since the adjournment Thursday, had several days
leisure he had reduced nearly all he had say writ
ing He had divided what he should say upon this SUBJ
ject into four Propositions
l,t, Whether the in which engaged is Just
and honorable, or unjust and dshonorable.
ID Whether it has heretofore been properly prose-
cuted
3d. In what manner It shall hereafter be prosecuted
4th, and the most important-What IL the just and
honest object for which the shall be prosecutedi
Upon each Of these, he would, briefly possible
give his Views He should do 1t with the rankness and
bolduess becoming Senator and with due Difference
the opinions Of others He rarely alluded to per.
sonal matters; but he craved the indulgence of the
Senate while he said few words of personal character
To those who knew him. 1t unnecessary say that
he was actusted by no other motive than Q sense Of
right He thought he knew himself we'll enough to say
that he had desire to tsmper with Executive patron
age, or have any ONCE from the hands OF the Execu-
tive was there in the gift OF the people which
he would accept II it to be bought BY sacrifice Of
judgment He had the satisfaction Of an upright con-
science the only reward he sought No matter whether
he gained popularity not, he would not assert any
principle which he did not entertain hide any that
he did entertain without considering himself disho-
nored He into this body opposed to the admins
raton and so far as affairs have progressed that oppo
ston had been rather confirmed than lsssened. He
believed the administration had misunderstood the true
policy Of this government, and he believed the day
would when the nation would declare this to be
the fact He differed from many Senators this side
Of the chamber but 1t the difference upon earnest
convictions Party ties and party lines strong they
were can never be strong enough to make an honest
man swsrvs from his duty and follow the leading Of
popularity He knew the Senators around him too we'll
to believe that they would respect him man. or as
Senator, II he surrendered his views and sentiments
upon question of such vital Importance to the honor
and character Of the nation this They Differed
but they differed % friends They differed they DIFF
fered at ALL PATRIOTS and he libels them and )ibes
me, who doubts honesty and Intentions and he vo
lstes justice and official intercourse and proprety who
ihtimates that aiding the enemies Of country
When they shall have heard what he had to say he
that they would do him the Justice to acknowledge
that his motives true and honorable There were
those who bred In the battle Of Political plumber who
fought for the spos and not for the principles who would
impusn them but they peculsnt their motto
and unworthy the Of men. Is the just un'
Just Honorable dshonorable! He thought It was
both just and honorable and he hoped that for the
good fame of the country, 1t would be sustained His
proposition s that between the United States and
Mexico the former had the 18th day Of May ls46,
just and good OF war; and that the the
result the unjust and illegal act of Mexico He hoped
for the fair fame and honor Of the country he could
mike this good We lived In age when nations sink
into Disgrace and inamy II they violate the racred rules
justice National character national property
For this reason he hoped the was just and honora
bic. Ifnot, then should bs pronounced by the
raj judgment Of the world band Of robbers II no.
norabls worthy descendants Of vrtuous sires
If wrong then have lost the sacred inheritance Of
honor and national character they have left He
had an instructive repugnanco TO believe his country
wrong in any case and in the present one he was
rejocsd that his feelings and his judgment agreed He
had time to 90 through with all the facts preceding
this war; but just those relating to the national exis
tence Of Mexico and the incorporation Of Texas In this
Union. Before the revolution Of Mexico the whole
country In commotion and after that revolution
and Iturbde made Emperor constitution, nearly
like own established. Texas was then inde