Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1848-03-23

Texas 10 our Union, at the time when that pre-
position was pending before Congress and the coul
try. II has passed from their memory that II
alarm was sounded in these Halls, and echoe
back flom every section Of the Union, that W;
with Mexico would be the necessary result Of cal
rying out that important measure. and that tho:
! OF us who were participating in bringing abo,
that result would be responsible before God an
the country for all The calamitous consequence
that wo1ld come in its train. In glowing an
eloquent terms they presented the gloomy pictur
of a bloody war between the two Republics, an
with prophetic indignation they visited upon on
consciences that responsibility Of the blood an
treasure, that would be sacrificed in the cause.
If the position then assumed by he Wing part
be well-founded- if they were honest and SINGER
in the declarations that they sent forth to the coun
try,-l desire TO know how it is that the originu
friends Of annexation, who advocated supported
and voted for it, are now to be relieved Of all tn
responsibility which it was then charged they ha
incurred, and the whole Of it is now TO be laid u
the door of the President, for having, as they nov
declare, involved US in an unnecessary war,
which could have been avoided by the exercise o
proper prudence, foresight, and discretion. In or
der that this thing may be the more slrkngI,
presented 10 the public mind, propose to cal
employed by some Of the prominent statesmen
who engaged in The discussion of the question dur
ing its tendency before this House, and the coun
try will not fail 10 remark, that it was not only
avowed that annexation would be just cause o
offence 10 Mexico, and predicted that war woul,
he the necessary consequence of such an uct oil
bad faith towards Mexico on our part, but, sir
gentlemen went still further, and declared tina
annexation was war per se that by the very aci
Of admitting Texas into our Union, we took upor
ourselves what they alleged 10 be the existing war
between Texas and Mexico: and that, as matter
OF unavoidable consequence, as soon as the deco
was contaminated, we were ipso faciO in state
of war with Mexico ] read short extract from
the speech sfMr J. r. INGERsoLL, of Pennsyl,
vania, delivered in this House on The Alb of Jan
uary, lS45, on The joint resolutions for The annexa
lion Of Texas. II was The first argument made
on The subject on that occasion; and it will be OBJ
served that its language is bold, clear, explicit
and unqualified:
"A question had sometimes been made whether
annexation with Texas would lead to war with
Meyico. Mr. did not consider THAT to be true
statement Of the case. Annexation with Texas
was of itself, and Of necessity, war with Mexico
Aow could il be oherwise' A war existed be-
tween these Two countries. Whether civil or
foreign IN its nature, whether fercely or sluggishy
carried on, was not point. lf Texas
should become part Of the United States, tha,
part kept alive the war in which it was engaged,
and every part Of the United States adopted and
assumed it,
1t is due to the gentleman Iom Pennsylvania,
(who, perceive is not in his seat, 10 state, that
upon an examination Of the vote upon the amend.
ment of the gentleman from Massachusetts, [ Mr.
AsHMUN,1 declaring that this war was unneces-
sarily and uncons,ilutionally begun by The Presi.
dent of the United States | DO no, find the name
Of that gentleman recorded; and therefore have
uot referred 10 it for the purpose Of involving him
in personal inconsistency: but use it, sir, as an
exposition Of the ground assumed by the opposite
party pending tho question OF annexaton--as a
sentiment that was responded 10 by large pro-
portion of the people of the country, who agI ee
with and belong 10 The same political party with
the gentleman from Pennsy lvania.
| will next submit 10 the consideration oflhe
House an extract from speech made on the srme
occasion by the gentleman from Vermont, MI
CoLLAMER,] who has preceded me in this de.
bate, in which lha. gentleman reilerales, with
equal cIearness any force, the sentiments express
ed by the gentleman from Pennsy lvania; and dc
find that The gentleman from Vermont is one o
those who have now declared. upon the records
of this session of Congress, that this war was un
necessarily ard unconsiutionaly begun by The
President OF the United State. lie said, in speecf
delivered in this House on the 23d January
lS45:
MY mex, objection is, that it is n war with Mex
leo. II is not, ns has been insisted, only u matter
for which Mexico may declare war, but will not
Mexico claims Texas as revoed province, ant
is now n! war with her TO reduce her. This Mex
leo has the undoubled rig ht to do, if she can. .
this right can deprive her, without her con
sent. This is an existing war; and, let VINO wou't
participate, Mexico may prosecute 1t without an,
new declaration Of war;
Such was the declaration Of that gentleman a
The time that the joint resolutions for the annexa
ton of Texas were progressing before Congress-
lie here declares, that the moment the resolutions
were passed and become The law of the land, wa
existed between Mexico and the United States
II so, want 10 know al VIVA, time that war ceas
ed, and at what time the present war was begul
by the President Of the United States, as he nov
aiiirms it was? Here, then, sir, is PLAIN, posi-
tive, and unequivocal declaration that annexation
is ,rar, made by The same gentleman who Hot
says that war did not exist until it was unneces
snrily and unconstutlunalIy begun by The Presi
dent. The two propositions nre l'reconcllabe-
both cannot BIO true. il IS for the gentleman ant
his party to say upon which of these two contra
dictory statements they intend for the future Il
stand; and. also, in the spnt OF candor, to nc
knowledge the laIsity oflhe one they may ultimate
~ determine to abandon.
Mr. VINTON inlerposed, wishing TO nsk Tho
gentleman from Georgia one question, and (Nlr Z
velding) inquired if the friends Of annexation. a
the time of annexation, admitted il was war!
M cir nat oI mi
Nor do the friends Of annexation, like tie gentle
man and his party. involve themselves in the in
consistency Of assuming one position at that time
and another now. We stand now upon the sam
ground that we then occupied. We declared he
that annexation was no just cause of offence Il
Mexico; that Texas had noby md gorlously woI
her independence by the strong arm Of successful
revolution; and that therefore ii ought not righliul
" TO involve this country in any war. We say 81
vet; and may here add, that we have the stron
authority of the distinguished Senator from Nlassa
chusetls, Mr. WEBsrER,l that it was mo JUS
ground Of complaint on The part Of Mexico, tina
the United States annexed Texas to themselves.
Mr. COLLAMER (Mr Conn yieldlng) inquired
whether, after the annexation Of Texas, the Presi
dent in his next annual message, did not state thu
we were in a state Of peace?
Mr. COBB. Yes, beyond all question, the Pres
ident did so state. But how does that relieve tn
gentleman from the inconsistency Of his position
Are you bound by whatever the President says'
MIR COLLAMER (Mr Conn again yielding
stated that he had then said that he thought an
nexalion was war; but as Congress must receiv
information from the President MS TO the state q
the country, especially of its foreign relations, an
as the President, after annexation had been con
sun,maled, said we were in n state of peace,
this information was correct, the war must hay
bepun from some other cause.