The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-11
COMPRESSION AL.
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
[From Houston's Official Reports.l
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1913.
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lFrom Housfons OBtetdl Reports.l
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1913
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| Mr. CRI TTENDEN 1t appears to me that the amend
changes the character of this BILL and that it is simply
proposition 10 increase the military force employed in the
war with Mexico In that point of view, there is oc-
casion for this measure whatever Nv honorable friend
from Michigan Mr. CAssl has been laboriousy march
ing forward slowly, acknowledge, but not the less
dlligenty-or the last two months, at the head of his
pretty well advanced and every day the word has been
" forward-march! +" Where is the necessity then for
introducing this special bill for the purpose of making
uncertain and indefinite augmentation of the army in
stead OF taking the bill which has already been proposed
providing for army commensurate with all the exigen-
cres OF the war! The amendment makes this bill moth
ing more than provision for the general purposes and
exigencies OF the war, according to the discretion of the
Executive who has the management and control of it
nothing more. The twenty thousand volunteer bill has
the same purpose for its object Why, then, introduce
another measure to effect the object If there be
any exigency demanding the augmentation of the
twenty thousand volunteers, have only amend that
bill and enlarge that measure The bill now before the
Senate has peculiar and especial object and purpose,
which have been explained to us by the honorable chair
man of the committee and by the message of the Pres-
dent of the United States My friends amendment cuts
loose the bill from the object OF the President altogether
The object OF the President is to unhappy peo
pie overwhelmed by savage foe. That is his object
But the amendment proposes to increase the army
to give TO the President force adequate to effect the
military occupation OF the country measure in
that at this day havea treaty, ratified, which is
give peace to this country and Mexico What then be-
comes OF the message OF the President and the object OF
this BILL il you connect this warfare in Yucatan mere
y incidental with your in MeXco' If the with
Mexico is terminated by a treaty of peace the Incl
dent goes along with it. and you do not interfere al all
The amendment of the gentleman has for its object the
following up OF purposes of the war, and the abandon
ment OF the purposes of and preservation proposed
by the message under consideration.
Ii the exgencies OF this war, the interests honor
OF TINS country require it, am prepared to vote Tor any
additional number OF that may be necessary Tor the
general purposes OF the But to this particular
measure and this particular object proposed by the Pres
dent il that it is subject great objections
objections OF the graves character This inerposon in
Fucaan not proposed by the President part and
parcel OF the Mexican for the Mexican has for
IFS object the prostraon of enemy; and Yucatan he
says, Is portion OF Mexico and therefore our enemy
So tar from having any destructive purpose of war; the
measure proposed has for its object purposes of preserva
ton and charity 1t is in that point of that
TO me to be subject to very grave objections. 1t
somewhat surprising 70 that it has not been thought
necessary to accompany this certainly extraordinary prop
oston with official copy Of the armstice lately made
between the forces OF the United States and those OF
lexico-an armistce extending to and beyond Yucatan
hear differences OF opinion expressed among gen
temen how far the measure proposed might be consist
ent with the armstice? | cannot conceive-though
have not lately copy of that armstce having
seen official copy of that would be by any posi-
biity consistent with il, to give to either party the prvi
ege OF extending ITSELF max additional preparations
for That is not the object OF an armlsce. Can 1t
be possibly supposed that under the terms OF this arms
tee, we could extend our military occupation over all
Mexico? No. And | scarcely conceive OF a con-
struction of any armstce which could allow to take
military possession of province of the enemy, not in
possession when the armistlce was made.
Mr.. DAVIS of Mississippi beg to call the attention
Of the the fact that there express pro-
vision in the amstce that in the of any military
movements being made, had the right to send our
troops to Counteract them.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN. suppose it may be fairly in
ferred that that provision had reference only such mill
tary operations were supposed to be hostile TO us.
Mr.. DAVIS Of Mississippi, lin his seat) Yes /
have doubt such the understanding of the pro-
vision.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN. Let it be recollected that this
civil ragged in Yucatan at the very time that the
mistce was made; and If the understanding had been that
Yucatan included in the terms OF the armstice,
it would have been mentioned, and so stipulated But
may be mistaken about this armistice think, however,
we should know precisely what it is, before we enter
upon movement which may be in violation OF its terms
Suppose, however all this difficulty removed. Our hui
mainly invoked in behalf of suffering peoples and the
question is, whether it is sound policy on our part on
not destitute of the proper feelings that belong to
such occasion; but, it to me, that such
step would be IAN exceeding perous leading us into
new and untred scenes of public policy. The PROPOSE
ton wants de6nveness that would enable us to deter
mine, with any degree OF certainty what would be the
consequences Of this step. The bill provides for mill,
ary occupation of Yucatan, thing distinct from, and
independent of, our war with Mexico. suppose 1t is so
considered by the honorable chairman of the committee
Mr.. HANNEGAN sgnifed his assent
Mr. CRITTENDEN. Then, how long is the occupa-
ton to continue? To what exent' Everything sir, is
here boundless both as regards time and space Is
perilous STEP then, which called upon TO take
We called upon, them from motives of humanity, to
involve our country, to extent of which we know
nothing, in foreign difficulties, foreign wars, and vast
penditures of the public money How far ought we to
90 Are not transgressing altogether that principle
of intervention which lies at the foundation OF the
security of nations? 1t is merely sound rule OF do
mestc policy, but it is great principle, which seems to
me to be necessary to the preservation OF nations IN their
distinct and independent character II this doctrine OF
the right of intervention be generally admitted the am
bilious nation, which seeks ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and extern
sion of power, will employ every preext and be satisfied
with the slightest reasons to act upon the principle The
consequences must be apparent The violation OF the
principle of intervention calculated to fill the world
with Distress dscod, and war 1t will produce atrocities
everywhere at which humanity would shudder The IN
ervention of naton the pretence of humanity,
would furnish the pretext for another interfere and in
upon the former And thus originally made for peace
and preservation will be multiplied upon another.
We make upon what we call the savages OF Yucca
tam to prevent them from numbering, to punish them
for numbering, the white inhabitants of Yucatan, Eng
land or France or Spain makes upon us; because
she alleges have nerfered needlessly, and are unnc
cessary putting TO death the aboriginal inhabitants OF
the country Thus, sir war is got up on all sides in the
Of humanity; and in the name OF humanity there is
confused saughtering spreading throughout the
world Ii may be so. Ought we not then, to be little
careful--however laudabe may be the motives which
mpel ushowever active may be feelings oil benevo-
ence-hat we do suffer ourselves, this instance,
to violate OF these great principles upon which the
security and peace of and of nations reposelest by
misguided humanity, and by the dangerous example
which we set we aid in the subverson OF the peace and
order of society," and add TO these very evils which we
depecate and in the vain hope OF avertng which, we
embark in this war? There will be wars; there VIII be