Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1848-03-29

ale adjourned.
March 16, lS4S.
There was spirited debate in the
Senate to-day on Mr.. Benlon's motion
to send fill Minister u the Papal
States-to the oaly city, as he said,
which called itself "E,ernal." H. did
not urge it on commercial, but POLITICAL
grounds. As 10 commerce; he did not
suppose thai Rome had much; the tt
ber was not much more Of a river, he
believed, than our Tiber, little more,
said Mr.. Dix, who had been there. Blu,
Rome was but small part of the domi.
Mon of the Pope. The whole compre-
hended twenty millions Of psople-and
TO them we had moi accredited any Min
'ister.
The bill was laid aside on account of
Mr.. C'ss's anxiety TO pass the Ten
Regiment Bill. Mr.. Calhoun wls to
speak, and a great crowed had assem-
bled 10 hear him. He spoke only half
an hour. The following is rapid
sketch Of his remarks
Mr.. Calhoun sad that, after a very
careful examination, he hal not beea
able to find single argument in favor
ofpassng this bill at this Tina. Those
who wero in favor of it had overlooked
the real condition of Mexico. Neither
force for nor intimidation we're nscessa-
ry. The government of Maxico was
withot an army and with out revenue,
and the people ware distracted by fac.
tions. The government existed only
by our foI bealance. The motive to
treat was the same with Mexico as with
.us-to avoid her annihiiation, which
was as much d'eaded By US as by her.
The danger was that The government
would perish before it could ratify the
treaty. sAssingle brigade would exiin>
guish i. We bad an alternative, il she
refused TO ratify the treaty. cauld
take the boundary, without plying the
twenty millions. The ll,would defea,
i.self.zIl-Wnnld el.e... nnaca-- ,s-,-i.
would emboiden tho Pnros party to per-
sist it their attempt 10 annihiliate the
government. 1t would also create the
impression at home that the treaty would
not be ratified, and be great preindice
to business. 1t was not only useless
bragadocio, bnt it would be mischiev.
Gus. He objected to the increased
patronage i, wou'd give to the Executive
"a prlronage already too great. 1t
would cost vast sum'-llie bouat,s on
ly would amount 10 .wo millions and
half Of dollars for men would readily
enlist knowing that they would not be
called on to 60 to Mexico.
Bat he was opposed to the bill, even
ifthc treaty ware not in progress. Ii
was part Of the policy Of the President
taprosecute the war vigorously. | We
passed it it would be a pledge to the
war and carly il Oh vigorousIy-a pledge
that would never be redeemed. The
voice Of the public opinion had stamped
that policy with reprobation.
The policy Of menace was wrong. 1t
would have involved Us in war with
England, bu, for the courage and mag
nanmily Of this body. The war with
NJ xico grew out of a menace--for the
Prrsiden, intended 10 threaten not 10
s'rike-and this body ha not an oppor-
tuniiy to Interfere.
Another objection he had to this bill
it cuunienanced the Presidents sys-
TEN of military or civil contributions
neither of which powers the Presiden,
had any right TO exert. He had no
power 10 establish system of finance
10 Mexico-it was MT lp be found in
the war powrr-anl, if it was, i, must
bn exercised according to the laws Of
Congress. Tf the power existed in Mex
leo il existed here 100.
Can the PrrsidentIay laxesll in vii
tue OF Is power as commandar-in. chief?
II is he the power TO make appropria-
lions Of money in Mexico? lie has exer.
cised it. He now acts in two chlrac-
tefs-one of as President of the United
States, and the other as possessed of
high despolic power over Mcxico-rai-
sing and paying troops, sc.
This power really was to control the
machine, called the armv-and it was
IA very narrow power. The rules and
regulation of the army were made by
legislative, not executive power. The
conquerer, it was true, had a ri ght TO
impose taxes. But who was the con-
qirrer? Mt the Presidenl-not Gen.
eraI Scou-but under our system, it
it was the United States. The sove.
reignly of Mexico being put down for a
time. our sovereignty took its place--and
carried with it all the laws and the con
s'iIu'ion of the sovereignty.
/, was difficult to control our people
they we're well fed, we'll, clothed. and
patnsing for nycitemen. 1t was TOO ca
sy to involve them in war. Every care
ouphf tn ho f,I,,n - ,,o;l o.,r ,,,,