The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-12
Mr.. Roxer,ty Johnson.

Mr. Johnson, OF the senators from Maryland,
cuded the second portion of his speech yesterday We
must say OF this anomalous production that was sa,istac
tory to neither of the political parties into which the
Senate is divided lie defended the justice of the
and so far he offended the wings He laid the immediate
blame of the war AT the Presidents door; and, far, he
gratied the wings And this the first part OF the
speecb The portion which he delivered yesterday
of the same mixed character-at one time standing
up for the vigorous prosecution OF the war; declaring
that the withdrawal OF our troops would be disgrace
full, and rebuking the defensive line of tactics as in
efficient; yet finally winding up with the lame and
impoent conclusion, that the glory we had reaped
sufficient indemnify and likewise a sufficient Sc
eurty against future aggressions We understood him
to say that he deprecated all accession of territory by
conquest or force, unworthy of our character; and
to declare. that if the had that object he would not
vote dollar. He would vote troops but only for the
just and proper prosecution of the war and if more
troops must be had, he assigned the strongest reasons
for preiering regulars to volunteers
We lay the whole of this remarkable speech before
readers So farRs it relates to the justice of the
war; we leave his strong arguments to speak for them
selves That portion Of the argument which attrib.
utes the immediate of the war to the President
worn OF answer; tnlS we prefer 10 give
in the shape OF an extract of letter before u.s.
SIT elaborate effort separate the President from
the justice of the war and the glory of its achievements
when he is in fact, identified with both and that
account more entitled to the appreciation and applause of
his countrymen. than any other
''How Mr. Reverdy Johnson, or any other whig--
whether he be apologst of Mexico a cond.mner of
the Chief Magistrate Of his cogntryget the that
Gen. Taylor authorized to select his post Tex
and did select Point Isabel which in the disputed
territory, if any portion of the territory of Texas
dispute Or how he get the fact that Gen. Tay
or himself advised the advance of the army the Rio
Grandeexpressng at the same time, that it would not
cause hosties, but would hasten negotiations for peace
And in full view of this ndispuabe and overwhelming
fact, how Mr.. Reverdy Johns the President
of unconstuiionay, and therefore criminaly,
cling this warhis ust war, in the opinion Of Mr. Johnson
Seen. Taylor was the confident officer of the Pesi-
dent in Texas. The President relied and acted upon his
suggestions and advice and yet the Hon. Reverdy John
condemn the President for acting upon the solemn
advice Of whom this Mr. Johnson willing to
support for the presidency In his Judgment
constitutional and criminal in Gen. Taylor give the adj
vice, but il unconstitutional and criminal for the Prc
dent to follow il
Snow. with respect the march Of the troops into the
disputed territory To the least, the territory between
the Nueces and Rio Grande in dispute. The sympa-
thiscrs with and npologsis for Mexico must admit that
was at least disputed territory Now, lift disputed
territory the troops of the United States had much right
to be there the troops of Mexico; and it was of course
OF the part of Mexico not an uncom
thing for governments 10 take possession of territory in
dispute between them. Mr. Madison took possession of the
country west of the Perddo which claimed by Spain
Both the troops of the United States and Great Britain oc
cupied the territory of Mane in dispute between the two
governments and the troops of New Hampshire occupied
the disputed territory Of the Indian Stream country in that
State, and suspended the magistrates appointed by the
of Canada from the performance the nnc.
tons their Offices These acts were not regarded NV
either government as acts ofhostiy. They like par
ties endeavong get into possession ofhe land whose
title was in dispute, in anticipation Of the lawsuit which
follow.
'I}ut again; Texas claimed the Rio Gfande had de-
fined her boundaries, and asserted her jurisdiction
Rio Cirande and Santa Anna by treaty. had acknowl.
edged her right the Rio Grandc. Whatever NAV have
been IN fact, the character of her e was when she
came into the Union prima facie good the Rio Gande
and the United States bound defend it. Therefore,
independent of the advice of Gen Taylor duty
defend Texas in her possession the Rio Gande until
settled by treaty that she had right her do
minon to that river.
''Yet, in full view of these facts the Hon. Mr. Reverdy
Johnson usies the and condemns the President
commencing it; condemns him. tna, when the Mexcan-
eo"s"crd the Ughting, aad first killed msn In this
point ovew that part of his speech approving the war
more censurabe, because more papably dsngenuous."
And now to argue that we must be content with the
glory we have obtained after all the aggressions which
Mexico has perpetrated upon ts-to say that we must
seek other indemnity for the past and no other security
for the future-hat must seek no territorial indemn
ty, when Mexico has nothing else to gves really out
of the question. Mexico has forced us into this war
We attempted to avoid it. We have attempted from time
to time, to negotiate peace in vain. She has violated
the property and persons of our peoples she has shed
blood upon soil she has provoked us into
war and for the claims OF citizens and for the ex-
penses she has forced to incur nothing else salts
fy us but territorial indemnity for the past and security
for the future. These we cannot obtain, unless by
vigorous prosecution of the war; and therefore the
try calls for supplies to prosecute honorable and
obtain an honorable peace.
Movements tho People.
Preparations for the next campaign beginning TO