The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-07


the facts as now state them and do trust that
the President and his Cabinet will have the power
at some future period to free themselves from all
suspicion III regard to it,
Mr.. BELL. think have not misunderstood the
Senator. So far as regards my defence of this Adj
ministration, and my adhesion to it, wish to dis
guisc nothing from myself as to what its course Of
policy has been, nor from the country. ! have not
inquired whether the Government has given any
new orders to the military authorities in New Mex
leo not; but feel, when a Senator is denouncing
the policy OF the whole proceedings in New Mexico,
III relation to the call Of u convention and the for
nation OF a State constitution, consider the Adj
mnstra alton responsible for them, not proxinately
but relnotely; and those proceedings cannot be
distinguished from the policy carried into effect in
California, and which mon tbs ago recommend
ed plainly and boldly to the American Congress by
the President. have not seen him, spoken to
him, but dare to say that nc would scorn all
sion disguise on the subject The officer in
mand in New Mexico would undoubtedly consider
himself authorized, by the known policy ofthc Pre-
sident, to do precisely what he appears to have
done, in becoming the organ mouth piece of the
sentiments OF the people themselves in relation to
the call of a convention.
Mr.. FooTE. Will the Senator allow me word
OF explanation, Tor desire not to be misunderstood
on this subject
MIR. BELL. Certainly.
Mr.. FooTE. / never prefer charges except on
testimony which | am ready to adduce nor make
allegations against public or private character
which are not sustainable by proof. In this instance
we almost entirely devoid of evidence so far as
the Fresluent ana CaDlnet are concerned, and
insttuting inquiries on the subject 1t would then
be most iberal and unfair in me to presume that
they were connected with the proceedings in New
Mexico, before they have had opportunity of an
swering those inquiries. / eaid distinctly in the
speech, portion Of which has just been read by
the Senator, that Senator on this floor now in my
eye, urged weeks ago, in this hall the duty of this
Government to maintain, by military force, posses
sion OF New Mexico, In opposition to the claim of
Texas. declared at the time that language had
been used here by certain prominent men of pecu-
liar political affiliations, well calculated to encour-
age such movements in New Mexico might re-
sult in consequences greatly to be deprecated.
That language wished to apply in certain quarters
and to all others connected herewith
Mr. BELL. am glad to hear the explanation of
the honorable Senator, and think have not mis-
understood him. make no distinction in this mat
ter of responsibility between the Cabinet or other
advisers and General Taylor himself. If he allows
or retains Cabinet unworthy Of trust, he has no
claim to my confidence or support Whoever may
have exercised the controlling authority the
late movements in New Mexico ia not a material
question, for hold the President directly respon-
sibe. 30 far IA ] am advised of what has actually
transpired in that Territory, and, if know any
thing OF his true character, he is the last in
the country that would seek to shelter himself be-
hind lieutenant colonel. Colonel Munroe has
doubt presumed that he acting in accordance
with the Executive wishes and policy; and at last,
after all this storm Of Indignation against him. he
has only conormed to the will of the people, in is
suing proclamation prescribing the time and
other formula for convention to form State con-
stitution And, sir, when the constitution thus
formed is presented to Congress, under no
obligations To admit New Mexico into the Union Is
State. We can either establish territorial gov
ernment in New Mexico or we require that
the inhabitants shall wait the settlement of the
Texas boundary, and then form a constitution and
become a State, or prescribe whatever other mode
of government and control we think proper, just
though no such proceedings had ever taken place
which We have heard denounced in such unlniti-
gated terms OF censure and elimination.
Now, sir, allow me to call the attention of all
highminded and honorable gentlemen, of all par
ties, TO the position in which General Taylor finds
himself placed at the present juncture, by the
riety and complcxity of interests, passions, and
preJudlces which are operating against him, in the
two halls OF Congress and throughout the country.
No man has ever been in power since the founda-
tion of the Government, who has been surrounded
by difficulties 30 peculiar and embarrassing, when
greater interests were at stake, when greater
skill and ndjudgmentwerc demanded in the direction
OF aiiairs And yet, sir, see how he is thrust at,
right and left, by presumed friends and open
mics Hawked at, pursued, denounced, reviled
through the i've hundred presses OF the Opposition
and in the speeches of the most distinguished and
powerful leaders in the Senate, at time of the
most imminent peril to the peace of the country as
If all the elements OF human passion and malice had
united to overwhelm and destroy him.
We have heard the Senator from Mississippi
(Mr. FooTE,) in allusion TO the determination of
the Executive, indicated in a recent communica-
ton to Congress, to maintain possession of the Ter
ritory of New Mexico until the question of bounda-
ry shall be settled in view of the conflict of arms
TO which it may possibly lead, denounce it an in
vasion OF the sovereign rights OF Texas, and as a
rnurderous policy. He denounced, in the strongest
language OF inyectve his imagination could supply,
any at the head of an Executive department
OF this Government who would dare 10 interfere
with Texas in the exercise Of her sovereignty as
State; and man, be declared, could deny the un-
doubted right of Texas TO all the country east Of
the Rio Grande. Another distinguished Senator,
(Mr. HoUsTos } the hero Of San Jacinto, in allud-
IN " ID o. tafh int,
ton TO prevent any dismemberment Of New Mori-
until the question of boundary should be decided
could assign better motive TO General Taylor for
the adoption OF this course Of policy, than that of
personal hatred and prejudice against the peopleof
Texas, contracted in his campaign on the Rio
Grnnde. The Senator from Mississippi took the
higher and more manly ground of denouncing it
murderous policy,
Mr.. FoorE / said distinctly that did not in
tend to charge the President and the Cabinet with
any criminslity, but would say that the policy
announced by the Senator from New York was
murdcrous policy. ! said it too in language Of
such pointedncss and plainness, that, the Chair
will rccollcct was called TO order. was not re-
ferrng to the Administration at all, but to this
military governor, who had certainly adopted a
policy likely 20 lead 10 collision of arms, and
expressed the hope which entertained that il was
not done at the direction of the President and the
Cabinet
sNlr BELL. | do not believe the Senator from
Mississippi would wilfully misrepresent the Pres-
dent, though his ardent temperament often eada
DeyOnu Nnat, on rtHcCUOn, ne would consider
strictly just, and TO express his opinions sometimes
in stronger language than his own friends can APP
prove; and will do him the justice to say that In
all the discussions upon the subject, except IN his
recent speech, he has horne himself courteousiy
and generously towards the Administration. /
will now restate what were the sentiments an
nounced by the Senator from Mississippi in ono Of
his late speeches. He announced upon the authority
of the ground unalerably taken by the Distinguish
ed Senators from Kentucky, (Mr. CLAy,) Michi-
gan, Mr.. CAss,) and Massachusetts (Mr. WEB
sTER.) that this is the only measure that pass
at the present session of Congress- thus leaving it
TO be inferred that if this should fail no
9TH plan Of adjustment will be adopted, and the
country will be left to all the consequences that
may follow. The honorable Senator at the same
time denounced the policy indicated by the Presi-
dent-Of preserving the present condition Of things
in New Mexico, and not suffering its inhabitants
TO be dismembercd as a society, until Congress or
the courts decide the boundary question-as inur.
derous policy leading to bloodf he'd and civil war
And the honorable Senator in his late speech de-
nounced as a traitor tu his country whoever nd
yised the late proceedings in New Mexico. For
this policy and all the evils that may grow out OF
1t, have already stated the Presidents responsible;
and while an indie cation of his intention TO main
IL Al.