Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-06-17
THE TREATY OF PEACE WITH MEXICO
SENATE DEBATE IN SECRET SESSION.

March 7th, Mr.. DAVIS, OF massachusetts, ihaue,
among other remarks, the following, in substance
NINTH ARTICLE.
The ninth article Of the Treaty., which embraced several
important novel provisions being under debate, and
Mr. CLAYTON having commented upon tue last paragraph,
which related to religious privileges
Mr. DAVIS after observing that the Senator from Della
ware had len point this clause which required fur
Their notice. proceeded Mr.. President Constitution has
among its wsest and most sacred provisions the Christian
spirit Of religious liberation It's object is not TO disregard or
neglect religion give the broades scope inquiry the
most Unlimited freedom of conscience and the enduring
sun,rt TO truth. While affords aid to encourage bigot
w. or to strengthen deIuon, dsatms anaticism OF all
lower such place their hopes OF salvation differ
snt faith and worship their Maker IN different way. This
ieedom precious all and, while am under the con-
ycon that il successfully invaded for any length
of time in the United States yet Is business 10 take
care that no clothed with powers privileges under the
sanction of this Government which may have that endency
or even the tendency disturb the existing tranquility
will read this paragraph. and then desire the Senate to weigh
the words and tell what it means and what the parties
may do under II
Finally the relations and communication between the Ca
tholics living the territories aforesaid aud their respective
ecclesiastical authorities shall be free and exempt from
hndrsnce whatever although such authorities should
reside within the limits OF the Mcxien republic, defined by
this treaty. and this freedom shall continue long
demarcation of ecclesiastical districts shall have been
made, eonformsby with the laws OF the Roman Catholic
Church"
This provision Mexican ccsasics who remain
under that Government and in the territory OF Mexico, the
right ecclesiastical power in the ceded territory
that is foreign papss have privilege beyond what
constitution gives Something besides toleration and
this something important that must have The solemn sane
ton of treaty. law to sanction II lrrepeatabe without the
Of Mexico The relations between the people upon
the acquired territory and the Mexican ecclesiastical aathor
be free aud exempt from interruptions be they what
they may and this freedom and exemption TO continue dur
ing the pleasure of the Mexcans. What is 1t What are
these relations which to exist On this point the treaty
inapnr
this provision would not be made.
In searching for interpretation, not brought to
the conclusion that this population after il is discovered from
Mexico and allegiance US alone, is still to be under
papal authority OF Mexico, and subject the regulations
of that authority the il nowis What else the
exercise OF foreign authority without hndance mean No
has vsntured to INFORM what the Of this papa
power is, where its limits are, or how 1t is 10 be exercised
whether il is compatible with constitution with the
lawful and independent exercise of the rights of American c
tzens The influence of this system of religion Las at times
been such bow the world TO its will and although that
day has by its power at this moment great and con-
trolling In Mexico, too, IL is fact about which there Is no
question: that this is the faith countenaHced by the Govern
men and the sect has rights and privileges unknown to other
Christians, if any others tolerated at all closely a
lied 10 and identified with the civil power cooperating IN fact
with it. and shaping considerable extent the public policy
Now, the Mexicans be trusted to work this religious
chinery among u.s. Who judge what form j! will take
and how will be brought bear upon when the whole
is directed by the Mexican will, aided by Mexican lessa
jurisdiction OF any kind but especially the exercise OF foreign
power the rights Of conscience No. sir; the people OF
the United States will neither acknowledge any power
known 10 the constitution any rh on the part OF such
make and ray treaties sanction the exercise Of such
power. No officers created by The laws OF Mexico
here and exercise ecclesiastical authority citizens Of the
Uned States by virtue of Mexican authority. While, sir,
quite willing that popery should stand upon the same
broad platform all religions, with equal rights, viii not
for that shall be imposed upon by treaties,
have extraordinary privileges conferred upon by such
rangements.
This clause Of the treaty obviously Objectionable for its
ambiguity and for the novel ard dangerous provisions which
contains, and hope will be struck This is all which
desire add the remarks OF the Senator from Delaware
this point
But Mr. President, my objections this article DO MOI,
stop here. would also strike out the second paragraph
which is follows;
The ample guaranty shall be enjoyed by all
and po communities well
IN the discharge Of the offices of their ministry In the
Joyment OF their property OF every kind whether individual
corporate This guaranty ha embrace All temples, houses
and edces dedcsted the Roman Catholic worship we'll
all properly support that OF schools
hospitals and other foundations for charitable henehcent
purposes No property OF this nature shall be considered As
subject be by disposed Of diverted to other uses"
This Objectionable in every point Of view, but particular
B attempt perpetuate by unusual both personal
privileges and rights Of property. The object Is to place
church property and church rights out Of the reach Of both
the legislatures and the judicial tribunals For this
satisfactory The rights Of property amply proyd
ed Tor ny the eighth article Of the treaty but II they
not Is not the shield which protects all Of sufficient
Whsever of Mexico into the Union has the full bene
fit Of constitution ard laws and stands upon the
broad basis Of right, with privileges equal all others L.
not this sufficient One thing quite certain cannot
without wrouging Ourselves and violating fundamental
principles, do
am opposed utterly 20 giving guarantees the OF
which do not understand e conf ng privileges which
ou OF the reach OF control modification. Such policy
n inconsistent with institutions and harmonze
with them. The properly aud personal rights Of pslis,s will
be protected the those of all other citizens and is
neither eypedcnt right TO give that extraordinary
powers privileges by treaty Il is me, therefore, very
obvious that this clause should be struck out.
But sur, have stll cogent objections TO the frst
clause OF the article, and invoke the attention Of the
Senate the character Of the concession made W il,
and especially Of hoe who for great alarm from
contamination Ct power IL il has occurred TO them
that extension OF limits, embracing ncongruous, hostile
materials, may bring with il serious and fatal causes
Of alarm. We sipvlate IN this clause that the territory
ceded shall be incorporated into the Union, and admit
ted as States possible, according TO the prnc
pies OF the federal constitution, 10 the enjoyment Of all III
rights Of citizens Ct the United States. As possible
DO what IS soon possible Admit 10 the Unon-that is
make into States into members Of the conedeTasy 70 he
presented here and In the other househc territory added
As soon as possible according 10 the principles Of the fedora
constitution! What the principles Of the federal consh
tuition That instrument silent the subject
admitting States !, well be and say any thing
"Nev States may be admitted the Union" This is all
contains, except that republican form Of government
made to the population II there enough for
IL hno fbor