The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-04-11

es nor avowed, would be dishonorab!e 10 the
country.
When Texas was annexed to the United
States, its western boundary was left an open
question, 10 be settled by negotiation, between
the Mexican Government and ours. The
President. in his message Of Nav nth, 1916.
informed Congress that strong desire to reg
ulate and adjust our boundary and other caus-
es OF difference with Mexico, on fair and
equitable principles, induced him, in Septenl-
Der, 1915, 10 seek the re-Opening Of diploma
tic regulations between the two countries
that the Mexican Government, in October
following, agreed TO receive Minister from
the United States invested with full powers to
settle and adjust ali matters in difference be-
tween the two Governments; that an envoy
from the United States repaired to Mexico,
with full powers to adjust every existing diff
ference and that the Mexican Government
had not only refused to receive him, or Listen
to his propositions, but, aftera long continued
series Of menaces had invaded our territory.
and she'd the blood Of our fellow-ciIizenS on
our own soil. This message was accompanied
by about one hundred and fifty pages OF
manuscript documents The usual motion to
print the documents was made, but it was vo-
ted down by Senators on the other side Of the
chamber. 4 call for the reading was then
made, hut that also was refused, aud the bill
oithe 18th May, 1916. was passed 10y 4 vote Of
forty yeas 10 two nays. The unanimity with
which this bill was passed, has been frequent
" referred to, as evidence to show that Con-
gress was almost unanimously OF the opinion
that Mexico commenced the war. Tie Pres
dent, in his last annual message, referred 10
it for that purpose. He says, in substance,
that Congress, by the act OF the 18th May
1916, declared, with great unaninitTi that
by the act Of the republic Of Mexico, 4 state
Of war exists between that Government and
the United States, there being but two ne.a-
tive votes in the Senate and fourteen in the
House Of Representatives" Now, sir, pro-
pose to present to the Senate and the country
all the facts connected with the passage of
that bill. The bill originated in the House Of
Representatives. On the 26th OF January,
1916, Mr.. HARRISON, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported bill to authorize
the President Of the United States,
under certain circumstances therein men
toned, to accept the services of volunteers,
and for other purposes On the lth Of May.
Mr.. BrinkerlOh moved TO amend the bill BY
inserting new section with preamble, in
the words following: whereas, by the act Of
! the republic Of Mexico, state Of war exists
between that Government and the United
States" The amendment was carried by a
vote Of 1913 yeas to G. yeas and, on the same
/ day, the bill passed the House by vote Of
/ / u 10 II. So it appears that 81 members Of
the House voted AGAINST the preamble to the
bill.
Wei, sir, what IS the history Of this ill in
the Senate? On the 18th Of May. It came
! I'D for consideration, and Nj. Huntington.
! then Senator from Connecticut since de
ceased moved to amend It by staikeng out the
preamble and the journal shows that the no
| ton failed Ly a vote Of Is yeas 10 - rays
/ all the Senators on this side OF the chamber.
| with the exception Of three, voted in the at-
| frmative \ motion was then made By the
honorable 5. nator from he, tncky, (Nr. CRIT
/ TFNDEN.) 80 take I vote upon the preamble
alone. but the chair ruled that It could not be
I separated from The bill. and the motion was
! decided out of order. The bill was then
/ pressed to vote and passed-ycas 20, nays ,.
/ Mr. Berrien, Mr.. Evans, Mr.. Huntington, and
! Mr. Calhoun declining to vote. and eleven
( Senators on this side Of the chamber vO.ire
! yea with protest against ilc preamble to the
/ bill. This. sir. Is 4 concise history OF tie pIO-
oress of the Uiil through the two Houses Of
/ Congress.
Now. ask. in all candor, what excuse can
! the President render to the country for assert
/ ING in his message, tha; both branches Of Con
! ,rress. with great unanimity, declared that the
+ ware xi by act f exico then be.nvLu.
/ fourteen NEGATIVE otrs in the House OF Rep
rescn. aiiyes and two IN the Senate: Sir, the
Journal Of the Uou-c shows 81 negative votes.
and the journal cf the Senate shows IS, ma-
/ king III the whole -.
Mr.. CLAYTON. VIII the Senator allow me
a word!
/ Mr.. UPHAM Certainly.
I Mr.. CLAYTON. AZ tie time the Ill! passed
this Senate thoscufris who voted for lis passage
after our failure il the effort 10 strike ont tie pre-
amble rs the Senator from Vermont has stated.
put TO tie gentlemen o. the otler side the cXceS-
sive hardship Of cain. upon to vote for Il ill
the Object Of which was To send supplies for the
/ army, with preamble containing statement Of
4 matter of fact ofwlich we had not evidence be
fore Us We repeatedly demanded the separation
OF The two propositions. hut the separation was
refused the President Of Ilc Senate deciding that
VIC had no right to cali for a division Of the cues
ton Then we insisted upon it that We should
have the right 10 vote upon the iii protesting l.
eainst the preamble. And the Senator from Mis-
souri, now nv eve will recoilect perfectly thar
he said on that occasion. that such would DC our
right; and such was the understanding, that if We
z.NG our NOtc. III liFOl t'iil We WIZ ~ ~
regarded Is voting for the supplies hut not in ia
; yor Of the preamble This Is the simple fact Of
the case and that such was the understanding. i
well known. y Senator now deceased. NJ
Speshtl distinctly, and over aud over aslin, SAID
that such was the understanding with regard to
our vote. II IS a gross misconception, then, 10
suppose that VIC voted for the preamble, or ever
meant TO vote for it | hope this statement will
be sufficient 10 prevent any injustice being done Us
upon this subject in all future time.
( Mr. UPIIAM. l thank the honorable Senator
/ for the additional information he has given upon
| the subiect-the country should have the whole
truth in regard to tie matter. Appeals were fire.
aucntIv made to Senators the other side Of the
chamber to strike ont the preamble TO the bill. as
30 evidence of its truth had been exhibited, and
ras>e unanimous vote for the supplies; hut they
refused TO do it. We must vote for the bill a IT
was they said or take the responsibility Of voting
against it General Taylor had been ordered to
the left bank OF the Rio Grande with small force.
and fears were entertained, that he would be I'M
able 10 sustain himself, without reinforcement