Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-12
SPEECH OF Mr.. billiard,
HOUSE OF RrPREsKsrArrvrs, jury "a. ls4s.
OF ALABAMA,
On the Messages Of the President respecting the
Treaty ,cith 4Herie0.


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, july "a, ls4S.
Mr. Speaker The message of the President which has just
been read is so important that unwilling il refer
red without discussion Il is impossible for any man
who claims be casual observer OF passing events to
overlook the intensely interesting aspect which public affairs
wear the present moment The with Mexico has been
brought 10 close and fix attention on events
Iransprng home which possess high moral interest as
the late brilliant achievements Of invading armies was
here sir when the President communicated to Congress the
startling fact that had broken upon our one and
count piece OF good fortune be here when he in
forms that peace restored The war has been attended
with circumstances extraordinary, and has developed re-
suits Important that cannot suffer them to pass without
notice and animadverslon.
Some DAYS since we had message from the President
transmitting the treaty lately concluded with Mexico Tha
message unworthy Of the high source from which came
wanted dignity totally destitute OF that elevation
sentiment which ought characterize such State paper
was written in boastfu spirit snd proclaimed the success
policy without single aluson to the caamities OF wa,
passing tribute the courage and the patriotism OF tie
dead who fell under the flag OF our country or to the living
who brought it back in triumph. The President passes "
all this and comes with indecent haste to inform us that
has driven good bargain with Mexico In the very pirof
hard dealer boasts the advantages which be has wonby
tearing feeble neighbor Of her finest territories
and adding them 10 own possessions He says
"New Mexico and Upper California have been ceded by
Mexico the United States and constitute part OF
country Embracing nearly degrees of atitude lying adj
accent the Oregon Territory and extending from the Paci
&c the Rio Grande distance nearly thou
sand miles, would be difficult estimate the value of these
possessions the United States They constitute Of them
selves country large enough tor great empire and
acquisition is second only in importance that OF Louisiana
in 1905. Rich in mineral and agricultural resources with
climate great aubry they embrace the most important
the whole Pacific OF the continent OF North Anne
RIGA The possession of the ports of San Diego Monterey
the Bay San Francisco will enable the United States
the already valuable and rapidly increasing
nnerce OF the Pacific"
These are the terms which the President boasts of the
results Of the Before resume my seat think shall
H. .Io kaac
graduation One Of three propositions is certainly true
either Mexico has lost by the treaty which has terminated the
war, have lost by it, 1t Is drawn bargain. If
have lost any thing by the arrangement the Administration
will be held responsible for the loss if have gained adj
vantage Mexico, reflects credit upon country
superior in power and resources and if the
advantages Of the adjustment to be considered balanced
how the President 10 his conscience 10 his
try and to mankind for pungng into contest which has
called for pouse expenditure of blood and Of treasure
and which has yielded such fuess results He may take
either of these hypothesis and he will 6nd that Boosting
excluded
In commenting the message shall observe the same
order of subjects observable in the document ITSELF 1t
treats OF the past exhibits the present. and it invites
look the future shall pursue the order This is
appropriate time to review the policy of the Administration
and 10 show the country Its results.
What the condition of the country when the Admins
raton into power We almost free from debt
that which had accumulated during preceding Administra
on had been reduced nconsderabe sum, under the in
nuence oil the wise and vigorous measures OF Wing Con-
gress. Public credit which Dropping fully
abished, and every great interest in the country in
high state OF prosperity comprehend what say sir. We
all know that financial system may be well enough adapted
&c special emergency that It would not be wise to continue
as permanent arrangement repeat, sir, rapidly
dischagng public debt The President in one of
his thar but for the that debt would have been
extingushed.
Our relations with the whole world pacific Nothing
threatened 10 disturb the profound which the country
tvyon he
our nights 10 the Territory Of Oregon, and the other the
ern oounaary g Texas These questions became prominent
only of the in which they treated by Mr.
Poks Administration. We are all familiar with the history
% the negotiations rssnering oeron The question had
been sleeping for Our people settling there and
strengthening every day the policy Of mastery inactivity
when suddenly title to the whole Territory declared
by Democratic Convention 10 be clear and indsputabe
question which had divided Cabinets for years disposed
Of in few hours and party banners displayed the word Or
egon" essential part of creed. That party elected
their President, and when he up to be nauguated
standing that grand occasion in front OF this Capitol the
representative Of The whole American people, he who
about take charge Of foreign relations proclaimed with
indecent eckessness in the face Of the whole world that
title 10 territory which had been in dispute for half
tuy clear and unquesonabe The natural and
ssy consequence Of this that the question once
invested with the highest importance and the greatest
nations Of Chstendom began to and about enter
into deadly contest about few barren This whole
country reused The North looked with apprehension
by arms must powerfully affect its manufacturing and CON-
mercial prosperity while the South regarded it with equal
anxev IN It's oes,.s g.. the market for its great staples
long and most excited Controversy carried In both
Houses Of Congress the President with his Cabinet asserting
night quite up $40 40, and announcing their determ
nation to stand by IT 10 the last when suddenly the Senate
informed that the line Of ace could be secured our
northern boundary and the Executive invited that body
advise him in advance It's acceptance The wisdom and
the patriotism Of the Senate averted from the country
disastrous body which had been fercey denounced
by the parsans OF the President nsensibe the rights
and the honor Of the nation his relief when their aid
invoked and, taking charge of question which had by
Encouragement well nigh brought collision with Eng
land they adjusted IL and restored good understanding be-
tween two great Christian Powers Il perhaps proper that
should say my personal opinion that right
fully entitled to the country far north $40 40 but
had repeatedly offered in former negotiations TO take 49,
held that morally bound not TO refuse settlement on
that parallel. was willing TO give Great Britain notice
terminate the joint occupancy 9th country because appre
hended that if ef open question: the Presden,
would involve in voted for the notice peace
The other open question which affected foreign relations
and which the Administration took charge Of with MeI
This grew out Of The annexation Of Texas j neve
doubted the right Of the United States admit Texas into h
Union Texas had achieved her independence she
independent State, de fao and de jre. considered th
question calmly and thoroughly while absent in Europe, away
from the influence Of party, and looking only the effect
The measure upon this country and upon the world But,
will I've remembered the joint resolution by which Texas
annexed provided in order 10 avoid conflict between tina
state and Mexico, that Ito be formed subject adj
usment by this Government Of all questions Of boundary tina
may arise with other Governments" Il well known tina
Inc western boundary Of Teras in dispute, and, while