Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-07-30


spirit of military pride that prompted VIM. A. Ora
ham to appoint Robert Paine and John A. Fagg
Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of the North-Caro-
lima regiment-advocates of the Mexican Preamble,
and heroes of the I" Wooden House then MEM
bers of the House of Commons
county of Wake in the House Of Commons, with
ability and fidelity to the interests of your constitu-
epts YOU cannot have forgotten the heroic proceed
ings Of the Mexican leaders Of that Legislature:
3 fhthe General Assembly fthat session was JOHN
A. GiLMER, member Of the Senate from the county
Of Guilford; and whilst he was pouring out his gall
and NORWOOD in the Senate, upon President Polk,
and censurinp him for declaring war with Mexico,
Capt Braxton Bragg was preparing his artillery TO
give them little more grape" on the bloody neid
Of Buena Vista.
The Wings introduced into the Legislature reso-
luton containing censure upon President FOLK
about the Mexican war, compiled with an appropria.
ton Of ten thousand dollars for the North Carolina
regimen.-the Democrats were willing to vote mill
lions if necessary, for the prosecution OF the war
but were unwilling to censure the President as the
author, who had so nobly discharged his duty
This resolution exciting topic OF debate be-
fore the Legislature, and received the support OF
every Wing member of the Senate. John A. Gil
mer, now the Know Nothing candidate for Governor,
was one Of its most active champions 1t received
the support of the leading Wings of the House
Rayner, Stanly, and Payne,-and the unqualified
denuncation of the Democratic side of the House.
have before me now o speech delivered in the
House of Commons, by Sidney Smith, Esq, the
only Democrat at that time, representing the coun-
ty Of Orange in that body. beg to present few
extracts from that speech. Mr.. Smith said:
"From the character of Instantaneous Mexican
preamble, and the pertinacity and obstnacy mani
tested by political opponents in adher'ng to its
present form, and rejecting all and every moditca
ton of it, fear that they propose to make new
Mexican stocks If that is your pun pose, will APP
prise gentlemen that will not subscribe, as it is
certain to be bad investment. But, if not politi-
cal capital what else does the party expect to &C
compish by this preamble? Is this your mode of
aiding those patriotic and gallant spirits who have
stepped forward to fight the hattesf their country
in q foreign land? Where are they now? Are
they not assembling in their different counties, pre-
pairing to leave their homes for the theatre of war?
Do you not expect to see among them many whose
lot has been cast in poverty? Perhaps, this day,
hundreds of them turning their faces to this capt.
olhoping and expecting at our hands a'generous re-
turn to their call for immediate aid. Many of them
without hats, coats, and blankets, to project them
from the peltings of wintry Storm call upon
the majority OF this house to say whether they ap
preciate tie gallan:ry of these poor men, Ifthey
do, beseech them to forget party, and join me and
lief Il fear that this call upon the majority will be
in vain. I fear that this is part and parcel of the
cancus bands Of the Wing party at the beginning of
the session. The deed has been dccrecd by party
drill, and cannot be revoked.
Mr.. Speaker this is q most unkind, unfair, and
unjust course so far as the democratic party is con-
forth by the organ of the party, in this city, soon
after the August elections. He urged the party, as
they had the power, to make clean work of ito
show no quarters Sir, you are like the Jacobins of
the French revolution in your intoxicaton ofpower-
you have forgotten liberty, and staggered on des-
potsm.
But, if this war is so unjust why did Congress
sanction it? In May last, the President informed
Congress that Mexico had made war on the United
States /; had crossed the Rio Grande, and had at
tackled the United States forces on American soil
that Gen. Taylor had orders to repel the invasion
that, from the acts of Mexico, existed. The
facts to sustain this message of true official char
acter, were laid before Congress at the time. What
did Congress do? Did they disapprove of the
course Of the Executivep By no means. They,
with unparalleled uanimity-all parties, with very
few exceptions, concurrng- the first sweep,
to raise $4,000 jvolunteers, and ten millions Of dol
lars to aid in prompt and efficient prosecution of
thought the president had unconstitutionaly and
involved the country in war, that they
would 80 promptly and SO speedily have furnished
him with so large an amour: of men and money to
carry it on? No, Sir. The federal members would
never haye come into the measure, fthey could have
avoided it, They knew that the voice Of the whole
American people would have denounced them, if
they had dared to pursue any other course.
Mr.. Speaker, how unpatriotic and reasonable has
been the course of those who have attempted to
make this war odious and unpopular; who have
exerted themselves to throw damper upon the pa
trotism oftheir country; who have been finding fault
with the action of their own government and fur
0lSnlHQ Arguments to he ~.
enemies against our free institutions! Sir, this war
VIII be prosecuted with vigor; and notwithstanding
all the abuse that has been lavished upon the Exc.
cutsvc. he has manfully defended the honor and
character OF his country and entitled himself to the
lasting gratitude of the nation When this war
shall have been terminated and our volunteers re-
turn7to their native land, covered with scars and
glory /; when they shall recount their glorious
achievements in battle, and the triumphant success
o. oqr arms in many sangunary engagement; of
noy proudly the star spangled banner 6oated over
the walls OF Mexico; and Of what hallowed associa
tons clustered around the name of an American in
foreign land when they shall tell of their trials
and dangers OF their many sacrifices of the comforts
IF home and kindred, and of friends, to preserve
gpsarpishsd thehonor and liberty Of our country,
then Sir the authors this preamble will blush for
shane q de fsal blot fkey have attempted to afr
fIapon tie pr0ld escutcheon Of North Carolina.
M Sneaker, cannot believe that if this nre.m.
he receiyes the sanction of this House. it can lone
pefaaitted to disgrace the archives Of the State
Ths 11o9Jle. instpnes of thander, will demand that
;,shSt IS expuDged from the public journals; that
tiscf ines shall Be drawn around it, badge Of
.saSn0 mourning for an act Of such base partizan
seryslity and folly.
..sn forsieni .tSuntry.p Our country has claims
wnn nj il one IL found % base as TO raise
VIZ. 81 yoics sgsnst her, be is guilty Of m act
al or1 snd 9 r y, - sSs p prS1a
IN III E;sf ~ ~ 6 MT far diiteu ths
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