The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-06-15
JOSIAH MILLER.
LiNCOLN'S POLITICAL RECORD.

HOW he WANTED TO THANK GEN. TAYLOR.
Since Abraham Lincoln has been nominated
for the Presidency, his friends are irving hard
10 make HIM out the greatest man in nerica.
But unfortunately his history will not sustain
such character. What has Lincoln ever done
that be should be called great, or worthy of the
Presidency OF great nation? Absolutely
nothing he has been member of the State
Legislature OF Illinois two or three times and
tor one session member of Cougress-and
Tint completes has political career up TO hls time.
While IN Congress be was celebrated for only
one thing, viz opposition to the .Neric1n Var;
and that, TOO, after the war had been in success
fnl operation for nearly tWo gears He took
his seat IN Congress in December, lS47, the
battle OF Buena Vista having been fought in the
February previous. Did Lincoln while a Con-
gresham, endeavor 10 bring the war to an hon
orable termination, or was be engaged in the
discussion of measures intended to ernbarass our
Government, and encourage the MexIcans in
their acts of hostility Let his record speak
On the 20th day of December, lS47, Hon.
VIM. A. Richardson, of Illinois, introduced the
following resolution relative to the war
ReSotDed, That the existing war with Mex
lco was Just and necessary on our part, and has
been prosecuted with the sole purpose of vim
dlcating our national rights and honor, and of
securing an homo rable peace.
| RfsotUed, That the rejection of our repeated
overtures o: peace leaves this Government no
alternative but the most vigorous prosecution of
the war, in such manner, consistent with the
laws OF nations, as will make the enemy feel all
its calamties and burdens, and until Mexico
shall agree to a just and honorable peace, pro-
vidlng satisfactory indemnity in money or ter
rltory for past injuries, including the expenses
Of the war.
ReSotUed, That the amount of the indemnify
must necessarily depend upon the obstinacv of
the enemy and the duration of the war.-Vide
Con. Globe, l847, p. SO.
Mr.. Lincoln voted against these resolutions.
as he said IN his speech 10 the House on the
18th OF January, l848, from which the follow
ing will explain his position. Mr. Lincoln
said
"But in addition to this, one Of his colleagues
| tMr. Richarhson) came into this House with
resolution IN terms expressly endorsing the JUS
tIce OF the Presidents. conduct in the beginning
OF The war. So that he found himself here, If
he DaS inclined to giue The President his sun
Plies. and say nothing about the original JUS
tice OF the war-if he was inclined to 90 with
him, to look ahead, and not back-in a posi-
ton that he could not do so. He should feel
compelled to vote on this resolution in the neg
alive"
Does not this show clearly, that Lincoln not
only opposed the justice of the war, but would
even have voted against s'the Presidents sup
plies" if that question had come UP by itself?
Richardson's resolutions were for The honorable
prosecution of the war, but Lincoln opposed
them, and thereby placed himself on the record
in favor OF a d!shonorable termination of the
same. In short, he was in favor of withdraw
ing our troops, and telling Mexico and the
world that We had been engaged in an unjust
war OF aggression.
When resolutions of thanks to Gen. TAYLOR
were introduced in the House, January Sd l84e,
| Mr.. George Ashmun, the President OF the late
Chicago Convention, moved to add as an amend
meDt, the following s'In war unnecessarily
and uncOnstitufionaliy' begun By the President
Of hhe United STATES" Lincoln voted for this
amendment. (See Cong. Globe, I84S, D. 95. !
Hence il appears that Lincoln desired to thank
Gen. Taylor for containing victory owe the
enemy fat RueDa vista,) which, for its signal