Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-04-22
SPEECH OF Mr.. DAYTON,
OF NEW JERSEY,
ON THE WAR AND THE TREATY OF MEXICO
In THE SENArE-ApRn H. 1s4s

In THE SENATE-APRIL IL, IS4s.
The bill for the adjustment Of the California claims being
under consideration
Mr. DAYTON said ID part of my purpose 10 discuss
the bill that's before the Senate but connecting itself as il does
with the general subject of the war; purpose avaing my
self of the opportunity which this bill affords of submitting
some general observations other points. know full well
the disadvantages under which the speaker abos endayor
TO address the Senate upon the great question under
sng circumstances The remarks that NAV be made must
fall cold on the of the Senate, but circumstances of per
sona make it absolutely essential if say aurht on
this question: that avail myself of the opportunity of saying
il now.
Amid the strife and noise of conflict il at all times
difficult for parties TO realize their position Fortunately
for the umu Of the has the present ceased
The smoke has cleared away between the armies of Mexico
and the United States armsice exists For The first
since the Of the have reached point
from which may calmly survey the past and protaby
slider OF the future II is due US is due the country
that we do In May, ls46, declared exist by
the act OF Mexico need saw sir that that declaration
was wrung literally wrung, under protest. from this side of
the chamber then thought, and think, that the al
Tentative forced upon of refusing supplies admitting
by way OF preamble, the truth n declaration which be-
eved to be iaISe the exeon of least extreme right
by party majority But, right wrong, met the
sion, and supplies in and money granted de-
mand We protested then, and since have repeatedly
renewed protest against the orig of the war; while
have furnished for its prosecution This has been
charged upon species Of moral obquitya kind e
suitca peience justified by sound principle of or
Of morals have held otherwise when war becomes
the law OF the land and exists upon your book
Is the duty oil every good citizen TO sustain and uphold ill
the law be repealed what tantamoun peace be declared
Such have been the principles of action in all countries will
not speak Of the British supply BILL but may refer to the
ACTON OF the great Federal party in The Of 1872 Depre-
eating the commencement OF the they did, major part
OF the measures for IFS prosecution passed without dy
sion and by the Of that party So too in the quasi
with France in l7979s brouehabou against the wishes
Of the Republican party Of that day Mr. Jefferson the
great exponent OF the principles Of that party declared
letter written by him a, that time, that avoid The war
we can, but if il defend ourselves and stand
by the county-wheiher the house be fred from without OF
fired from Within it is equally duty extingush the flame
This has, indeed been principle of action recognised by all
parties IN this Government II is no new doctrine incorporated
into political creed II s no esuica preence no moral
obquty II is principle Of patriotic acton recognised by
all statesmen, all patriots, and 10 oil times
We in these circumstances the Wing party felt to be
ITS duty to strengthen the OF the Govemmentto STRIKE
while at the time deprecated the Of the
blow. Now, have reached point in the history Of the
when the right of private judgment again yndcate
ITSELF We have before enemy, PROSTATE wounded,
dying upon his body stands colossus full armor un-
harmed by The contest ask, again, have
ed point where may exercise the right OF e u rmen
point at which may the strong, upon
the weak In my opinion have and stopping here what
glorious result IS before Ia military point Of view
foreign war, conducted without single reverse in civil
point Of view, peace wthou, dollar and wi hout an acre
wrested from the enemy without Just equivalent We'll
may be said that peace made upon the terms offered and
accepted amounts about TO this indemnity for the past
TIE bundled millions you have paid and security for the
idufe IS the twenty millions you TO pay The very
suit which might have been anticipated ia the prosecution Of
such war; We have now reachei stopping place some
o. Us have thought advisable to upon the late treaty
The most immediate most plausible plan Of getting rid Of the
war friends have differed among themselves as to our true
course Of action should myself have been wng-I should
have preferred that political friends had permitted this matter
70 rest upon their votes that at all they should
have been satisfied 10 await the removal Of the injunction OF
secesy before they published the world the considerations
which had Influenced their action ia session But the
Senator from Massachusetts, r WEBsrER whose absence
regret and in the mnurnfu OF whose absence all
symPahz has thought needful promuleate TO his and
my constituents the which have influenced him
vohng os be says against the ratification OF the treaty He
holds be says, "the conscience oi bat man. aud be
means TO make clean breast Of it, Sir he is In the ex-
crese Of bis legal and just rights But in Daking clean
breast o. IT. ~ removing the burden from bis conscience
he has unnecessarily and unnteD,ionay doubt not, imposed
tne same burden, with the added weight Of his opinions
and arguments upon the consciences ct other Il will
be Tor Us % zee whether able 10 meet the responsibility
which Is thus invoked before constituents
The members of The Senate at least however NAV he
with the public after what has passed in Executive session.
VIII not heel surprised that should answer of
the suggestions Of that distinguished Senator His speech
was not The beginning but rather the end of controversy.
would that i had ended where began. have wish
obtain the lltc cphemera reputation which from
much aiEng, collision with distinguished antagonists
put whenever an opportunity presents ITSELF pregnant with
great Interests to the country, never have and shall
shrink from my ust responsibilities am, or one, prepared
10 rect The responsibility involved in the ratification Of that
treaty and alter the speech Of the distinguished senator
Massschut read as il has been in every town, village,
and hamlet q my State e as others similarly crcumsanccd
must feel The necessity Of reply. am here 10 answer;
here ana now declare to my constituents and TO the world
understand have right DECLARE my action upon
tna' soee here then decsre that in this chamber and
out OF ~ IN official debate, and by private appeal in every
mode and by every legitimate that could bring 10
bear endeavored TO sustain and enforce the ratification
That treaty And say, furthermore the OF the slightest in
terest to my constituents know H. that while ts was
yet in doubt first broke gounJ in s favor this sde
the chamber For oil which ready to the respon
sitiEty which that position demands.