The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-03-02

lions intimated ; it would be a good bargain
at that; it might be more, and probably
could not be less. How are we ITO pay that
price? We are obliged to 90 into debt to
support our own household. Our Treasury
chest renders mournful sound when we
knock upon It aud ask for two hundred mil
lions Of dollars. 1t returns funereai res;
ponse. The Treasury is empty; the reve.
nue. is disminished; our expenses are in
creasing and we are already largely in debt.
The Government spent last year eighty one;
mifiops this year the expenditures are like
ly to reach hundred millions. 1t did not
strike him, therefore, AS a remarkably con-
venient time to make treaty Of this kind,
involving the payment of "a sum the interest
Of which at five per cent, would be ten mil
lions year. 1t would entail debt upon
our posterity for an interminable period. A
debt of two hundred millions would be, he
feared, a constantly accumuiating one, and
might prove the foundation of permanent
national debt.
But this was not all. II was once the
policy Of this nation to preserve the kindest
relations with all the Governments Of Cen
trail and South America, and they had suc-
ceeded in preserving that policy. The
speech Of Henry Clay in sympathy with the
struggling nationalities Of this continent
were read at the head Of their armies, and
hailed with enthusiastic shouts, and the name
and example Of this Republic was for ma
nv years cherished with love and respect.
How was all this lost The struggle was
whether this continent should fall under the
European or the American system Of policy,
and in this struggle all the South American
Republics were with US, seeking opr coun-
sci and protection. But now there is not a
State where we do not find enemies. Our
citizens seem to be every where assailed
How had we thus lost the hearts Of the ma.
tionss Every where we were gathering up
quarrels, and claims Of our citizens were
found against every nation from the Fejee
Islands to the Spanish throne. We were ra.
pidly coming to the summary process Of col.
lection in which no Congress was TO examine
into the character Of the claims, but our
frigates were to go about demanding pay
ment at the mouth Of the cannon. These
specks Of war darkening the horizon did not
promise progress and prosperity Of the rese-
nue.. Frighting might be luxury, but il
was expensive.
:" In view of this state Of facts Congress
was about to be called upon to pass bill
" to authorize the President of the United
States to use the public forces Of the United
States in the cases therein specified" The
cases therein specified we're Mexico and GER
tain States Of Central and South America.
The President was to protect the lives and
property OF American citizens, and redress
L.. n Il
land and naval forces OF the United States
for the purpose at bis discretion. The Con-
stitntion gave Congress alone the power to
make war; but this bill delegated that pow
er to the President. 1t was subyerting the
whole system of Government. Could they
abrogate the power which the people had
given TO them a. their trustees Ii was
true the power was limited TO certain weak
States. There seemed to be a safe under.
standing with the trainers Of the policy that
II would not br applicable to large States,
where trouble aud resistance might be anti
cipatcd, but they could safely lord it over
the heads Of the weak soyereign,ies.
" We can settle our accounts with them,
and make them pay our own balances. This
was petty tyranny over the small and weak,
and violation Of the spirit VI our cnnstitu-
ton. This country should not assail the
weak and let the great and powerful escape"
In this connexion, Mr.. Crittenden spoke OF
the Paraguay expedition, censuring the poll
cy which had sent il forth against semi.
barbarous chieftain. who, he yentured to say,
in point Of military proves, might well be
compared to John Ross, the Cherokee cher. II
was..a spectacle TO ell the nations, who would
learn from il that the American Republic is IN
a great passion. He was for all the progress
which is consistent with conservatism, and
Of 50 much Of conservatism as Is consistent
with progress. +" Hasten on slowly" was the
best maxim, though be feared ia this dag il
had an old fogic' sound.
/" Another violation II the peace was pro.
posed 10 the Presidents proposition to seize
Sonora and ChihUahua from Mexico. under
pretence Of guarding Arizona. Why not
defend our frontiers from our own bprjers !:
Arizona was almost an uninhabited wilder
ness and rs TO the old common law complaint
Of trespasser entering the enclosure and
tresding down the grass. God knows there IS
mighty little grass to tranlple in that terrific.
~. II the ambition 81 the nation prompted
Il 10 violations Of right, he hoped il would be
for something better than petty stealing along
our borders.
But TO return TO the subject Of Cubs. lie
feared the President. after the OsieDd mani
festo, was not exactly the best man 10 under
take thar delicate negotiation. lie utterly
rep1disted the doctrine of that document
Still he would bid the President God speed
IN his work. lie required no legislation 10
enable him 10 negotiate, and when he had
formed proper treaty, votes would not be
wanting 10 the Senate 10 ratify il. That was
the only proper way Of forming treaties. But
this bill propased 70 give the President thirty
millions, TO be paid when Spain should rstify
the treaty and before the Senate has ever
seen il. That was his difficulty. lie saw
no exisency requiring this unusual course.
In the case % Louisiana there was some eri.
gency. but the circumstances were entirely
different. II was necessary to act promptly
then for II the countrv remained IN a..