The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-07

ii had been for the idea that likely to be in
voved in with England account Of the Oregon
question she would have Listened 10 reasonable terms
think then that those who mpue this TO the Pres
dent of the United States to General Taylors march
to the Rio Grande should be very cautious how they use
do not know what are the intentions or purposes of
gentlemen on the other side in this matter, but have
night to guess and though cannot divine their purposes,
as they Keep SO close the subject il they do intend by
Inc position which they assumed here to fight the battle
o. annexation oyer again, shall not shrink from the
settled and the people believed that had been settled
II was a question about which differed, and which
we fought s manny ~ one party prevailed and for
you throw down gauntlet, will not hesitate to take
up sz e.ia N.
While the subject OF the opinions OF distinguished
men, wish to refer to another opinion i aude, sir to
MIR. Gallan and his pamphlet on the Mexican war He
says, too, that annexation was actual war. cannot
that document in the light do the speech or
letter of the distinguished statesman of Kentucky. may
be wrong IN this, but is differ in opinion equally
from them both; but while listen with respect and at
ienton to one OF them, the great kentuckan cannot
read the lucubations OF the other without Indignation
And this feeling not because undervaue the adnoni-
myself old enough to have got over that weakness if
ever had it. listened not long since in this body moi
only with respect and attention, but almost with fal
reverence to opinions and arguments of distinguished
senator, [hr Calhoun j to not one OF which scarcely
could bring my mind to assent shall listen, whenever
they speak, to other Mr. d. here looked towards Messrs
feelings feel sir and believe that the people OF the
United States feel that such as have just alluded
to have right to speak, and ought to be Listened with
profound respect on questions of national honor and OF
foreign war They were born in this land, and have
grown up with this country; they have done the State
some services their history, for almost half century is
their countrys history
"The page of her story is filed with their namesp'
American genius has been appreciated and American eo
quence admitted and illustrated by them Yes, sir; to
such men, all subjects, will listen with respect how
ever may differ with them Not 50, sir with him who
comes from other lands first breathed other than Ameri-
can air; once owed allegiance to another power; has
another native home, and attachments and feelings and
Pre]udces, and opinions, and sympathes, less
influenced, they be. by recolectons OF that ma
and national decoruml No. sir; every impulse of my
heart tells no, and compels to say it cannot
and will not resist it. Doubtless have committed er.
rors in our foreign policy; we may commit others we
should be more than human if did not But such, as
believe, 1t ever has been under all parties through all
the vcsstudes of the most eventfu period in the worlds
history for seveny-two years, hope and believe
will continue long after have passed away and when
even these solid wallis that have outlived the flames of
American in origin, the inspiration Of American mind
sustained by American and hearts, but unnuenced
by anything that is not indigenous 10 our soil-foeign
governments foreign presses, foreign bayones foreign
opinions OF any, whether domicilaed at home abroad
or anything else foreign Yes, sir, right or wrong sue.
cessful or unsuccessful wing democratic, want it to
be American all American, and nothing but American
Let it not be said am native American, and decry
foreigners, and would deprive them Of all power. Far
from 4. have always taken an opposite course in all
my public life on this subject have changed my
opinion in the least stand where ever have on
this subject where stood in the Legislative halls of my
own State, when this subject was agitated in 1895
and where, on still more memorable occasion, in the
Louisiana convention of lS445, when strong at
tempt was made principally BY those opposed to my
foreigners; In one OF the most motracted and ami
mated debates that | believe, has ever occurred in
democratic friends sustained the rights of our adopted
citizens, that meeting OF the naturaized citizens of
New Orleans voted medals to some half dozen of US
at the head OF which eloquent leader on the oc
casion my good friend Bernard Margny, who though
born in land then foreign, has, without changing bis
allegiance or the ties of his native home, become an
American citizen by the process of annexation and ar
good ever lived in it. Yes, sir give them al
most all rights the federal constitution has but
and foreign war; they should least speak first and
lOudest ii they speak at all.
now come to another branch of the subject viz the
position assumed by senators the other side that the
President OF the United States the of the war
that he brought it by ordering the removal of the
Gos TO NM s Ro IN e., sg totally from this
by any within the control of this government
was produced by other hands than those OF the President
facts connected with the history of the matter will con
vince every impartial mind of its truth
Whether annexation was declaration of war or not,
Mexico considered and made war accordingy and
the President had no opton-he did not make it. Here
are the facts on this point:
Under date of August 30, ls43, the Mexican Minister
OF Foreign Relations, in the of his government ad
dressed to our minister IN Mexico the following language
The Mexican government will consider equivalent 10
declaration of war against the Mexican the
of for the incorporation of Texas with lie iero1y
Of the United States the certainty of the fact being sufficient
for the proclamation of ar leaving The civilized world
Mexican nation in struggle which been so lar from
provoking"
On the 18th OF June, 1914, just two months after the
signature by Mr. CALHOUN OF the treaty for the anpexa
ton OF Texas Santa Anna, then the President of Mex
co, announced to the government of the United States
'tha Mexico was resolved again to undertake vigor.
ously the campaign against Texas for which she held in
readiness large army and further expressed the de-
termination of Mexico upon the point, as follows:
''rhat in will she to dismember her
will she carry the any extreme
which be necessary sustain her rights that as
nations do not die, REcoNoUeRNa THAT TER
RIroRY SHALL HEMArN CHILDREN AND OUR GRAND
CHILDREN; OPINION THE GOVERNMENT
MEXICANs."
Santa Anna followed up this declaration by issuing, in
the same month, June, 1Sl4,) requsiton for thirty
thousand men, and $4,000O00, to ''carry on the war
against Texas" Generals Canalizo and VOL were
placed command Of the force raised upon this reoni
siton and, having advanced TO Mier on the Teyan
frontier, Wo at the head of his invading army. mt
forth general order. under date of June Goth. ISL
menacing every individual within league of the
left bank of The Rio del Nore with the traitors doom
Mr.. Bocanegra, then the Mexican Minister of Foreion
Relations styled the of Congress providing for
alton, in his circular letter to the various European min
listers then resident in Mexico, under date of Nav Al
1884, "a declaration OF war between the two nations
On the 9th OF March, 1915, the Mexican minister pro
tested against the act OF annexation, and demanded his
passports Our minister in Mexico refused ali in
tercourse with that governments and told on the cd
OF April by the Mexican Minister OF Foreign Affairs