Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-04-05

tue pdtIOudgc Vi tHo oOtSfhtuCut 10 oiooShs A."
the highest degree of activity. Such increase
patronage is great evil, as every man Of ever
party will readily acknowledge, if he would cal
didly express his sentiments; for, If there is an
thing on which all are agreed, ii is that Executiv
patronage is already enormous, and ought not to
increased.
Now, submit to my friends on this side of th
chamber, who have indicated disposition to pas
this bill, whether they are willing to incur thi
heavy cost and subject the country TO this grea
evil by passing this bill, which have shown to b.
useless bravado, unbecoming great and magma
nimous people.
But not only object to the passage of the bill
AT this time, and under existing circumstances, but
l take higher ground. am opposed to the bill I'M
der all circumstances. would have voted against
it if treaty had not been made, and for reasons
that TO myself are conclusive and which will now
proceed TO state.
Sir, we all know the origin Of this bill. II was
reported early in the session, and originated in the
message OF the President recommending vigo-
rous prosecution of the war; and it leading and
main object was TO carry that recommendation into
effect II, then, we pass this bill, give, accord
ing to my humble conception, pledge to the Ex-
ecutive and TO the country that if the treaty fails
we wdl resort TO vigorous prosecution OF the war.
|, for one, ara unwilling TO give this pledge; un-
willing, because think it ought not to be given,
and unwilling, because, il given, arm of the i'm
preston X never will be redeemed.
1t ought not 10 be given, for reasons which /
assigned fully on a former occasion, and which
shall only briefly repeat on this. A vigorous pro-
secutlon of the war would be the humiliation Of
the Mexican Government leaving no Government
with whom TO treat. The effect of that would be-
the entire subugation Of the country, throwing up
on us one OF two alternatives: either TO create
Government by our own authority with which 10
treat--and this, trust, no one who duly appraci-
ates the true principles Of our system of govern
ment will ever adopt-or 10 hold it under our sub
Jugatlon as conquered country, TO be governed as
provinces. or to be incorporated into the Union.
Now, as am utterly opposed TO this, for reasons
which stated at large on the occasion referred TO,
and which 1t is not necessary here TO repeat. for
one, cannot give this pledge Nor can give i, be-
cause have not the least expectation that it would
ever BIO redeemed. The sentiment of the whole
country is remarkably changed in reference to the
war. There was at that time u large party in the
country who were in favor of taking the whole of
Mexico. have but TO appeal TO the proceedings
OF public meetings, and to declarations repeatedly
made in the public journals to prove this But that
sentiment is changed And why is it changed p
Because the people were not aware at that time of
what would be the consequence of vigorous pro
secutlon Of the war. Ii appeal to their
manly pride. But as soon as they saw the conse-
quences, that the result would be as have stated .
they drew back and put the seal of their reproba-
ton upon il, not only for the present, but trust
forever. With this strong disaPprobation Of the
war on the part of the people, ii would be an idle
dream to suppose that in the event of failure Of
the treaty, this war would ever be renewed to be
carried on vigorously.
But, 1t may be asked, what shall be done? My
answer is plain and simple. Only one thing can
be done. To fall back and take the line of the
treaty; TO tell the Mexican people that we intend
to hold it; that we are satisfied fthey are. Nor
can it be objected that it costs more, for it would
take fully large army, and at as great cost
to protect Mexico under the treaty, against the In
dians falling side ofthe line under the treaty.
ms TO protect ourselves against the Mexcans by as
Stunning the line without the treaty, not to take into
estimate the twenty millions dollars which would
lie saved by adopting the latter.
The whole affair IS in our own hands whettcS
the treaty fails or not, we still have the completes
control if we act with wisdom and firmness and a
void, what deteSt above all things, a SYSTEM Of
menace or bravado in the management of our nego-
tlaiion. had hoped that that system had been a
bandoned forever. 1t nearly involved us in a war
with England about Oregon. Ii twas only prevent
ed by the wisdom and firmness Of this body. II
was resoried TO In our negotiations with Mexico.
and The march OF the army under General Taylor
to the Rio Grande was but Intended to sustain it.
Unfortunately. the circumstances prevented the Sc
maize from inerposIng as In the case of Oregon, and
this war was the consequence.
But, Mr. President, the vigorous prosecution Of
the war is not the only object of this bill 1t the
primary, the principal one. But there is another
one-secondary il is true; though not much less
important. This bill was intended in part to car
ry into execution a system of ilhposis and taxes;
! which the President of The United States had i'm
/ posed upon Mexico. The army including the force
! 10 be raised by this BILL intended TO be used
for collecting the duties and imposts for that pur-
/ pose it was to be spread all over Mexico, us has
been officially announced.
! Now, hold that we cannot pass ibis bill with.
out sanctioning the act Of the President in this re
spect, and that for one can do, because ami
under deep conviction that the President has no
right whatever TO impose taxes, internal or external
on the people of Mexico. 1t is an act without the
authority OF the constitution or law, and eminentt
dangerous TO the country. Thus thinking, that nei
theT the constitution nor law gives him any such
authority, would not be true TO my trust if | weIi
TO vote for the BILL would have been glad to have
avoided it at the present time. My friends arounC
me know that was anxious that this bill shoult
not be pressed upon us now, not that desired L
shun the responsibility of the expression Of my @
plnions, but because preferred posiponing it unit
alter the treaty was ratified, and when there coul
be no cry of giving aid and comfort to the enemy
But Ii is force upon me, and if there be ATTY respof
slbity in expressing my opinion at this time,
ought of right to fall, not on me, bnt upon thos
who, without any necessity, have forced this bi
upon us.
But TO return to the thread Of the argument.
ask, where can the President find the authority f
imposing these taxes? Can it be found in yo,
constitution II so, point it out. Can it be foun
] III your law If so, point it out. No such auth,
{ rity is to be found in either. But it may be said
is comprehended under the implied powers Of IL
Execuiive-that is, the powers necessary and pr
er TO carry out those expressly delegated to him
t lfso, point out the power which it is intended
q carry into execution. But let me say to gcntlem
n in advance, if you do this you will not remove /;