The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-01
THE UNION.

of the bill by any general discussion on the origin OF the
but ii the Senate deem otherwise, 1t seemsto me
that far better place for that discussion upon this ball.
than upon the abstract declaration which binds Us to
nothing | say again. that if senator's content with a
poslponement until Monday will agree 10 II but If not
shall ask the Senate to proceed to this consideration
Mr. ALLEN / hope, sir, this bill will not be post,
poned until Monday but on The contrary be proceeded
with by the Senate Immediately and that we will adhere
To this part OF the public business until be accomplish
ed There are two modes, sir, in which opposition 10
the policy OF the administration is made-one Is IN the
form of abstract proposition, and the other rs IN the
form of distinct practical measure. Whether this oppo-
son shall assume OF these shapes here or not Is
matter of choice with those who have the right to make
that opposition, far their power to make choice Is
concerned But whether il shall be allowed to take such
shape depends upon those against whom TINS Oppose
ton is made. | desire that the diversity OF senti-
ment which exists this Senate shall be tested IN
the discussion and decision OF practical measures:
Therefore propose that all the sentiments entertained
in this chamber may be made known IN the discussion OF
this BILL in reference to It's postponement, IN preference to
the discussion OF abstract propositions Sir there rs
much advantage to be gained, we all know, by the
form which adversary chooses to assume. is one
thing, sir, 10 denounce the policy OF the government In
the discussion OF abstract propositions; ana anoher 10
take the Responsibility of opposing measures Tor ncreas
ing the army and sustaining this war therefore, SIR as
friend to this administration, and as one Determined as
far may be able TO stand by It's policy in this palicu
lar desire that the opposition should be made to these
measures in the face of the themselves, and
with the responsibility which that opposition will impose
Sir, we are IN state OF war; and IN that state we must
theatre two thousand miles from this CAPITOL and the IN
tercourse between the government and the army con-
sumesS some two or three months time.
Well sir. under these circumstances with that army
cut, hacked and bleeding the achievement OF ITS glo-
rious victories, shall leave them there, TO occupy a
counry as large as our own surrounded by ten millions
OF enemies, and subjected to all Il n - D their
precarious situation exposes the ,b, I'D Z the
rrecauton to sustain them by ad, etlpG.cc ,nts
Sir the vote of this Senate tse IS a.e l-ft 4 the
power which this government mIsl tvei afihg 'ecu-
ton OF this war to an honorable ar tis- 1orli
impression produced by the kno Igt " .lfA as to
what is the determination OF this 40 neaFas ~ e need
in it. egslatlon whether sustain le tb 4ermeui " not,
which is to operate advantage e, yAtri re-
gard to the termination OF the wa.. Ihs 19o +l Sen
this very question will have as much lnte ace In
bringing about peace, the additional force which 1t is
proposed to raise. The declaration as to whether we do
do not intend to prosecute The war TIL peace be the re-
suit, is of the utmost Importance .
Sir, if this Senate wayers-if it evinces hesitaonr1,
instead OF increasing the force, persists IN cayng
against its govenment-what, ask will be the Ell
feet OF such upon the mind of the Mexican peo
pe Will II not encourage them to further resistance
is, therefore, that say that the vote OF this body up
this bill will, in my opinion, have as much influence
upon the question OF peace, as the marching OF the troops
themselves For this reason, think II highly important
that early manifestation by the legislative department
of the government, TO its intention in this particular
should be made; and that it should speedily decide
whelhert will prosecute or abandon the war. And II II
10 be abandoned, sir, say the quicker the better If
it is to be prosecuted the orously the better. Let
then decide the matterat once not shielding ourselves
behind abstract propositions but as IN the
D
measures; | desire the decision of the Senate as to
whether they intend to adopt the the other OF the
two systems of polcythe prosecution OF the war, or
the abandonment of it. reerate, sir, there is but one
question issue, and that it has but two sides However
much the metaphysical ingenuity OF some minds may
seek to divide this question, there remains but the one
the simple quesoneither to prosecute this war until
ended by satisfactory peace or to abandon me war
and withdraw our troops to the lett bank OF me no
Grande II i be the decision OF the Senate that the aef
policy be carried into effect the the better; II
be the decision of the Senate that the former plan DC
adopted, ought to be executed Immediately But hesl-
taon waverng uncertainty to what will be the
final action of Congress- is nothing but procrastinang
peace 49,
do not speak of design because will not mpute mo
tves to honorable senator's; but speak OF the inallibe
tendency of the course pursued by them Now the sena
tor from South Carolina says that he has question to
be decided first And what is that question? Why, that
although the President and the country may be unani,
mousy of the opinion that the may be prosecuted
with ew to secure honorable peace, without the
final extinction of the nationality OF Mexico, yet that the
measure before may tend to that result. Well, what
difference could it Make should the Senate unanimously
in the resolutions of the senator from South Caro-
na Why, the very moment this bill is called up, the
whole argument would be renewed because the sena-
tor says, this might lead to that extinction linen
why need we while have before INTO
the discussion OF his resolutions! Why discuss PROPOSE
ton separately, when the senator himself confesses that
the discussion upon this bill will embrace 1t 1t Will pc
for the senator to show how It is that sustaining the
army in Mexico, by furnishing additional troops 70
take the place of those gallant men who have lost their
lives in battle by disease say it will be Tor nm 10
show how that additional force, winch purely
designed epensh the wasted strength OF the army, is
to tend to the final slbugaon OF Mexico and Inc eXtinc-
ton of her nationality We want to replace the exhaust
ed strength OF the army to enable u to hod OF
its conquests and by that possession compel Mexico 10
put an end to the war. That Is what we desire; anu
what can be proper and reasonable hope, there.
fore that the bill will be taken into consideration, and
kept before the Senate until it is completely and that our
army will not be permitted to suffer Tor want OF TINS
additional force.
Without sir, presuming to say what will be the final
dec nj bO1y
that whatever that decision may be- it will exert mo-
mentous influence for good or for evil upon the interests
of our common country,
Mr. CALHOUN Ii appears now, sir, that the object
in calling up this bill at present not to pass the BILL but
to get parliamentary advantage-o compel the Senate
to discuss this bill before opportunity is afforded Tor
discussing the resolutions which have offered II is
mere parliamentary move. The senator shakes MS neal
Well sir il we follow the advice Of the senator from
Ohio we shall consume Just much time in discussing
this bill as if first to discuss the resolutions
The senator from Ohio talks of the necessity of proceed
inc TO act upon this bill now, and tells us in the next
breath that we are to have the whole discussion upon the
subject of the war upon this bill.
Mr. ALLEN The honorable senator misrepresents
what said What said was, that we ought to take up
this BILL and 60 on with its consideration at once.
discussion upon this bill instantly, we are told both by
the senator from Ohio and the senator from Michigan,
and let the discussion upon the resolutions have pre-
cedence The senator from Ohio says that 1t IS para.
mentary advantage have the discussion upon this bill
previous to discussing the resolutions Well, acknowl
edge that it is So acknowledge that we should be ted
up in a great measure, in the discussion upon the bill,
and prevented from going SO freely INTO all these ques-
tions regarding the war, would in discussing the
IL hp