Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-07-05
LincOIn's Political recOrd--HOw
he wanted 10 thank Gen. Tay-
lNr.

tOr.
Since Abraham Lincoln has been nom
mated for the Presidency, his friends are
trying to make him out the greatest man
in America. But unfortunately his his
tory will not sustain such at character
What has Lincoln ever done that he should
be called great, or worthy of the Presiden-
cy of great nation? Absolutely moth
ing! lie has been a member of the State
Legislature of Illinois two or three times,
and for one session member of Congress
and that completes his political career
up to the present time. While in Con-
gress he was celebrated ior only one thing
viz: opposition TO the Merican War; and
that, too, after the war had been in sue
ceSslul operation for nearly tuo years!-
He took his seat in Congress in Decem-
Der, 1S47, the battle of Buena Vista hav-
ing been fought in the February previous
Did Lincoln while Congressman, en-
deavor to bring the war to an honorable
termination, or was he engaged in the
discussion of measures intended to en-
barrass our Government, and encourage
the Mexcans in their acts of hostility.
Let his record speak.
On the Goth day Of December, 1S47,
Hon. WIN. A. Richardson, oflllinois, in
troduced the following resolutions rela-
tive to the war;
ReSol0ed, That the existing war with
Mexico was Just and necessary on our
part, and has been prosecuted with the
sole purpose Of vindicating our national
rights and honor, and of securing an hon
orable peace.
Resolved, That the rejection of our re-
peated overtures ofpeace leaves the Gov
ernment no alternative but the most Wig
orous prosecution of the war, in such
manner, consistent with the laws of ma
tions, as will make the enemy feel all its
calamities and burdens, and until Mexico
shall agree to Just and honorable peace,
providing satisfactory indemnity in mon
ey or territory for past injuries, including
the expenses of the war.
Resoi0ed, That the amount of the in
demnity must necessarily depend upon
the obstinacy of the enemy and the dura-
ton of the war Vide Con. Globe, 1S47,
p. so.
Mr.. Lincoln voted against these resolu-
tions, as he said in his speech in the House
on the 18th of January, 184S, from which
the following will explain his position
Mr. Lincoln said:
"But in addition to this, one of his col
leagues (Mr. Richardson) came into the
House with resolution in terms express
ly endorsing the justice of the President S
conduct in the beginning of the war;
So that he found himself here, If he was
Inclined to gipe tie Presi9emhis supplies
and say nothing about the original JUS
tice of the war--if he was inclined to 60
with him, to look ahead, and not back
in position that he could not do so.-
He should feel compelled to vote on this
resolution in the negative"
Does not this show clearly, that Lin
coin not only opposed the justice of the
war, but would even have voted against
"the Presidents supplies," if that ques.
ton had come up by itself? Richardson
resolutions were for the honorable prose
cution of the war, but Lincoln opposed
them, and thereby placed himself on the
record in favor of a dishonorable termina
ton of the same. In short he was in favor
of withdrawing our troops, and telling
Mexico and the world that we had beer
engaged in an unjust war of aggression
When Resolutions of thanks to Gen
eral Taylor were introduced into thu
House, January Sd, 1S4S, Mr.. Georg,
Ashmun, the President of the late Chca
| on Gpn,,onttnp al
amendment, the following: I'm wai
unnecessarily unconStitutionaNy begun b,
tie President of the United .States."-
Lincoln voted for this amendment
{ See Cong. Globe, 1913. p 95) Hence
it appears that Lincoln desired to thanl
Gen. Taylor for obtaining a victory
over the enemy Cat Buena Vista, which
for its signal and brilliant character, i
unsurpassed in the military annals of th'
world" but "in a war unnecessary ant
unconstitutionaiy Jegun." That is TIN
kind of thanks that Lincoln desired t.
give Gen. Taylor "and the officers an,
soldiers Of the regular army and of tn
volunteers under his command In an
other place in Lincoln's speech on the war
he thus spoke of the President: "Th
blood of this war, like the bl of Abel
: was crying lromlthe ground against him.
Thus it will be seen that Lincoln regard
ed the blood that our soldiers shed in Mex
leo as crying from the ground agains
them, like the blood Of the murderer
Abel. Were our officers and soldiers il
Mexico murderers? Lincoln answers, il
effect, that they cere! for this speech Sc
Congressional GloJe, lS4S, page, 155.-
Patriot and Union. IL