Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-07-04
VOL. mo. 81.
LincoIn.s Poiiticai RccGrd--HONy
ne Wanted To Thank Gen. Taylor.

he Wanted To Thank Gen. Taylor.
Since Abraham Lincoln has been nomiaa-
ted for the Presidency, his friends are try
ing 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 be should be called
great, or worthy Of the Presidency of great
nation7 Absolutely nothing. He has been
member of the State Legislature OF Hi
nois two or three times, and for one session
member cf COngress-and that completes has
political career up to thss time. While IN
Congress he was celebrated for only one
thing, viz: opposition 30 the Mexican HGr;
and that, too, after the war had been in sue
cessful operation for nearly TAO years. He
took mis- seat In Congress In December, 1917,
the battle of Buena Vista having been-fought
on the February previous Did Lincoln while
Congressman endeaEor to bring the War to
an honorable termination, or was be engaged
in the discussion of measures intented to en-
barras our Government, and encourage the
Mexicans In their acts of hostility? Let ais
record speak.
On the Goth day of December, 1S47, Hon
VIM. a. Richardson Of Illinois, introduced
the following resolution relative to the war:
ResolUed, That the existing war with Mex
leo was just and necessary on our part, and
has been prosecuted with the sole purpose of
VIndicatiDg our national rights and honor,
and of securing an honorable peace.
Resolped, That the rejection of our repea-
ted overtures of peace leaves this Govern
ment no alternative but the most vigorous pro-
secution Of war, IN such manner consistent
with the laws OF nations, as viii make the
enemy feel ali Its calamstles and burdens, E1d
until Mexico shall agree to just and honora-
l. IA --E,
money or territory for past injuries, including
the expense of the war.
ReSoIred, That the amount of the indem-
nifty must necessarily depend upon the o6sti-
macy of the enemy and the duration of the
war--Fide C9n. Globe, lS4T, p. 90.
Mr. Lincoln voted against these resolutions
as he said in his speech in the House on the
18th of January. 1S4S from which the fol-
lowing will explain his position. Mr.. Lin
coin said:
'.But in addition to flis, one of his c3l-
leagues (Alr. Riehardson) came into the
House with resolution In terms expressly
endorsing the justice of the Presidents con-
duct IN the beginning of the war So that
he found himself here, # he soas inclined to
gire the President has supplies, and say moth
ing about the original justice of the wAr-s
he was inclined to 60 with him, to look ahead
and not back-in a position that he could
not do SO. He should feel compelled to vote
on this resolution In the negatiye-'
Does not this show clearly that Lincoln not
only opposed the justice of the war but would
even have voted against the Presidents sup
plies if that question had come up by IT.
self? 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 dishonorable termi-
nation of tne same. In short, be was In ia
vor of Withdrawing our troops, and telling
Mexico and the world that we had been en-
gagged in an unjust war of aggression.
When resolutions of thanks to Gen. Tay-
lor were introduced In the House, January
Sd, 1S4S, NJ. George Ashmun, the Presi-
dent of the late Chicago Convention, moved
TO add as an amendmen the following In a
aoar unnecessarily and seac0nstitvtionaHy Je-
gun by the President Of the United States.''
Lincoln voted for this amendment. (See
Cong. Globe 1S4S, p 95 Hence it appears
that Lincoln desired to thauk Gen. Taylor
for obtaining victory over the enemy (at
Buena Vista. which, for its signal, and bril-
liant character. is unsurpassed in the uiIli-
tary annals of the world, but "in a ucr un-
necessarily and UneoaStitutionGUy beoua -
That is the kind of thanks that Lircoln de-
sired to give Gen. Taylor land the oficers
and soldiers of the regular army, and of the
volunteers under his command" In another
place in Lincoln's speech on the war, he thus
SPOKE of the President: '.The blood of this
war. ike the blood of Abel, was crying from
the ground against him." Thus it will be
seen that Lincoln regarded the blood that our
soldiers shed In Mexico, as crying from tn Q
ground against them, like the blood of the
murdered Abel Were our officers and SOL
diers in Mexico murderers? Lincoln answers
in effect, that they lcere! For this speech see
Congressional Globe, 1S4S, page 155.-Pa-
triot aud Union.
A Circle of fTornadoes.