Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-11-03
Lincoln's Political Record.

Lincoln's Political Record.
HOW He WANTED TO THANK GEN. TAYLOR.
Since Abraham Lincoln has been mom-
mated for the Presidency his friends RE
trying hard to make him out the greatest
man in America. But unfortunately his
history will not sustain such character.
What has Lincoln ever done that he should
be called great, or worthy of the Presi'
dency of great nation! Absolutely
nothing! He 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 this time. While in Congress
he was celebrated for only one thing, viz
opposition to the Mexican war; and that,
too, after the war had been in successful
operation for nearly two years lie took
his scat in Congress in December, Is47,
the battle of Buena Vista having been
fought in the February previous. Did
Lincoln while a Congressman, endeayor to
bring the war to an honorable termination,
or was he engaged in the discussion of
measures intended to embarrass our
Government, and encourage the Mexicans
in their acts of hostility =! Let his record
speak.
On tho goth day of December, 1S47,
Hon. VIM. A. Richardson, of Illinois, in-
troduced the following resolutions relative
to the war:
Resolved, That the existing war with
Mexico was just and necessary on our part,
and has been prosecuted with the sole pur-
pose of vindicating our national rights and
honor, and of securing an honorable peace.
hesolued, That the rejection of our
repeated overtures of peace leaves this
Government no alternative but the most
vigorous prosecution of the war, in such
manner, consistent with the laws of ma
tons, as will make the enemy feel all its
oalamities and burdens, and until Mexico
shall agree to just and honorable peace,
providing satisfactory indemnity in money
or territory for past injuries, including the
expenses of the war.
Rtsolved, That the amount of the in.
demnity must necessarily depend upon the
obstinacy of the enemy and the duration
of the war-Tile Con. Globe, ls47 p. 50
Mr.. Lincoln voted against these resolu-
tions, as he said in his speech in the House
on the 18th of January, 1913, from which
the following will explain his position.
Mr.. Lincoln said:
eBut in addition to this one of his
colleagues (Mr. Richa rdson) came into
this House with a resolution id terms
expressly endorsing the justice of the
Presidents conduct in the beginning of the
war. So that he found himself here, yht
soas inclined 10 g'pe the President Its
supplies, and say nothing abont the origi.
nal justice of the war-if he was inclined
to 60 with him, to look ahead, and not
7 back-in position that he could not dc
so. He should feel compelled to vote OIL
this resolution in the negative"
Does not this show clearly, that Lincoln
not only opposed the justice of the war
but would even have voted against eth,
Presidents suppiss," if that question hat
come up by itself! Richardson's resolu
tions were for the honorable prosecution
c of the war, but Lincoln opposed them, ant
j thereby placed himself on the record il
C favor of dishonorable termination of til,
a same. In short, he was in favor of with
L drawing our troops, and telling Mexic
C and the world that we had been engage,
in an unjust war of aggression.
When resolutions of thanks to Gen
Taylor were introduced in the House
January 3D., ls4S, Mr.. George Ashmun
: the President of the late Chicago Con
yention, moved to add as an amendmeu
the following; "Is a a0ar unnecessary
! and waconstitutiOnaRy begun By III
y President Of the United STATES" Lincoll
It voted for this amendment. See Coas
!, Globe, ls45, p. 05,l Hence it appear
Q that Lincolu desired to thank Gen. Tayo
foy "obtaining victory over the enem,