The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-01


ion in regard to this polns lie may think that the policy
recommended by the administration will not end in the
extngushment OF The nationality OF Mexleo but differ
with him in that opinion and until am satisfied that he
correct am not prepared to vote IN favor OF the
ure that is now proposed. Sir, though the honorable
senator Ill., Re We e pmow ha
there are many OF totally different opinIon and we
know that there many who believe that such will be
the result whether intended not, OF the measures
proposed by the administration. And am one oil those
who entertain this belief Now, do think we ought TO
postpone action the bill for some little time, until we
shall have determined the which 1t will be proper
for us to pursue and, with this view of the question,
shall vote against the motion OF the honorable senator
Mr. CASS. VIII the senator allow me to read this
short extract from the message OF the PRESIDENT
sit has been contemplated by me, object on
the war; make permanent conquest of the republic o.!
pendent nation On the contrary II mas ever been my de-
that she should maintain her nationality and under
good government adapted TO her condition. be Tree, lnde-
pendent, and prosperous repuDhc.'
This is exactly the course of policy which the admins
ration intend to pursue. For my own part do not see
the practical operation OF any vote on the subject IN this
body disconnected from some practical measure In the
discussion of this subject, | am aware we must expect
animadversion We must expect the origin, progress
and results of this to be attacked But seems to
me- want that this bill may come 10 discussion and
decision without entering upon the general question OF
the origin and progress of the war
| had intended not to say word about the admnistra
ton or the manner in which this arose. thought
there was a ground where we might all unite IN
regard to this additional force; and repeat yet hope
the Senate will take up the bill and proceed 10 ITS consld
Grafton.
Mr. CALHOUN. word only in reply am aware
of the views of the President in regard to the war
have examined with great care, the policy which is rec
commended in the message and IN my opinion, the result
of that policy if carried out will tend to the precisely
opposite that proessed to be contemplated there
in If such should be the danger, must guard against
it in some way; but if this danger does not exist then
there will be necessity for any steps on our part to
guard against it But, with my present iniormaton am
not prepared to give intelligent vote upon the subject
Mr. CLAYTON There not, lar as KNOW, any
disposition this side of the chamber to delay voting
supplies for the army; but hope that The honorable
senator from Michigan will not press vote upon this
bill, any measure of this description until we have
had opportunity of reading the report OF the Secretary
of War and the documents accompanying maj report
Sir has any this floor read that report and the
documents | doubt it, They have not been printed );
or if printed certainly not yet furnished 10th Senate
and TO me that action at this time upon subject
of this importance, without aforng opportunity for
perusing those documents, would be highly improper
And it will be perceved also, by the honorable senator
that the seats this side Of the chamber are not hed
and trust therefore, that he will agree to postpone
ment of the measure, for the present at least, without
naming particular day for its consideration, because we
cannot tell on what day the members Of ihs boay WIN
and the reports furnished to us for our perusa we sha
be ready to act upon the subject have not seen SIN
gle COPY of that important document, the report OF the
Secretary OF War; nor have the documents accom-
panyng the Presidents message, nor the reports OF any
of the Secretaries.
have an opportunity to examine those Documents but
this is too important measure to be delayed Will con-
sent that it shall be delayed until Monday however, for
the accommodation OF SENATOR'S but regarding IT, as DO
OF great public Importance cannot consent
to its posponement beyond that day With regard to the
report of the Secretary OF War; gives you all the details
necessary to form opinion upon measures OF TINS de-
scrpon 1t entirely unnecessary to refer to the report
of the Quartemaster General for details, because The
great facts connected with the measure now proposed are
spread before you clearly and csnclusvely IN the report
from the War Department say again, that II the gen.
teman will be satisfied with aposponement until Mon
day. will agree to il but further than that cannot 60
Mr. BERRlEN. Beyond the consideration OF the TIM
of the Senate there is, IN my Judgment ample rea-
son for the postponement of the OF this bill
until the Senate shall have discussed the resolutions sub
mted by the honorable senator from South Carolina,
we'll those which have been submitted by the honora-
BILE senator from New York. Sir, called upon BY
this BILL and others that will succeed IT, to add force OF
10000 to the army of the United States. We have
the recommendation OF the President to that effect we
have his approval TO of the report of the Secretary OF
War; which discusses three modes OF operation IN Mexl-
CO. Certainly, sir to be the Obvious dictate Of
of sense that before we proceed to increase the
means of offensive military operations IN Mexico we
President, but for ourselves the constitutional depQ-
tory OF the making powerwhat the objects to
be accomplished BY these measures,
There is this, sir, beyond the suggestions winch are
made by the honorable senator from Michigan, as to me
operation of the resolutions which have been submitted
there is this consideration that without seeking to ope-
rate on the mind Of the President seeking TO
influence the judgment of the American people, except as
that Judgment may be operated upon by the decision OF
this bOdywe desire 10 ascertain Wnal IL is liat Son-
gress (he war-making power OF this government pro-
poses 10 accomplish by the further prosecution OF the
war; And that suppose, will be developed in the dis
cussion upon the resolutions. The Secretary OF war
submits to us three plans Tor the future conduct OF the
war He passes by unworthy OF consideration the no
ton of the withdrawal Of the troops, and the restoration
of peace without further ampng on our down-rodden
foe He then suggests three modes OF prosecuting the
war Have the Senate consideredare they prepared to
decide with the information now before them, or wlthey
preclude discussion upon these different modes Will
they not enter upon the discussion with view to ascer-
tain the objects to be accomplished by its further prose-
cution! and whether, in the accomplishment of those
Objects we should advance subject the country to this
expenditure
Sir we have, according the report of the Secretary
of War; force of about 43 900 IN the field, small
majority Of them only consisting Of regulars The argu
OF the honorable senator from Michigan IS that the
situation of gallant army in Mexico renders neces-
sary that should be reinforced without waiting Tor de-
tails of the objects for which the has been prose-
cued Now, look at the state of facts disclosed by
the report of the Secretary of War 1t is evident that the
army In Mexico is perfectly safelushed with victory
and confident in It's srengthupwards OF 32o0O strong
while the army of the enemy is scattered, dispersed and
Mexico is without an efficient government and destitute
of resources and men to resist There can be
nothing them in the condition OF the American army,
which should lead us precipate the passage of this
BILL before we ascertain the objects which it is proposed
to accomplish desire TO stand entirely unconlmltted
upon the subject OF yielding the supplies demanded by
the Executive until have opportunity to decldeas to
the proprety of granting them
But the ground on which place my opposition to the
present consideration OF this bill is, that proposes
great increase of force before we, the warmakng power
have decided what the objects to be accomplished
anu great force in the suggestions OF the honor
able senator from South Carolina, which seem 10 have
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