The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-07-18
Linc0in's Political RecOrd--HOw
He Wanted TO Thank General
Taylor,

Lincoin's Political RecOrd--HOw
IEe Wanted TO Thank General
Taylor.
Since Abraham Lincoln has beed nominated
for the Presidency, his friends are trying 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
Presidency Of great nation? Absolutely moth
ing! He has been member Of the State Legis
lature 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 Var;
and that, too, after the war had been in sue
cessful operation for nearly ttUo yearsl 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
Congressman, endeavor to bring the war to an
honorable termination, or was he engaged in the
discussion of measures intended to embarass
our Government, and encourage the Mexcans
in their acts of hostility? Let his own record
speak. '.''H".
On the Goth day of December, 1847, Hon. W.
A. Richardson of Illinois, introduced the fol-
lowing resolutions relative to the war.
ResolUed, That the existing war with Mexico
was just and necessary on our part, and has
been prosecuted with the sole purpose Of vindi-
eating our national rights and honor, and Of Sc
curing an honorable peace.
Reso'vea, That the rejection Of our repeated
overtures Of peare leaves the Government no
alternate but the most vigorous prosecution Of
the war, in such manner, consistent with laws
Of nations, as will make the ensmy feel all its
caamities and burdens, and until Mexico sha Il
agree to Just and honorable peace providing
satisfactory indemnity in money or territory
for past injuries, including the expense of the
war.
Resolved, That the amount Of the indemnity
must necessarily depend upon the obstinancv Of
the enemy and the duration of the war Vide
Con. G1obe, 1847, p. SO.
Mr.. Lincoln voted against these resolutions,
and he said in his speach in the House on the
18th day Of January, 184S fro, which the fol-
lowing will explain his position. MIR. Lincoln
said:
"But in addition to this, one Of his colleagues
(Mr. Richardson) came into the House with a
resolution in torms expressly endorsing the JUS
tice of the Presidents conduct in the beginning
of the war. So that he found himself here, if
he t0a5 inclined to gjve the President his supplies.
and say nothing about the original justice ofthe
war--if he was inclined to go with him. to look
ahead, and not back-in position that he cold
not do So lie should feel compelled to vote on
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 "tne 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 ola dshonorable termination of the
same In short he was in fauor of withdrawing
our troops, and telling Mexico and the world
that we had been engaged in an unjust war of
aggression.
When resolutions Of thanks to General Tay.
lor were introduced into the House, January
Sd, 1848, Mr.. George Ashmun, the President Of
the late CHICAGO Convention, moved to add as
an amendment, the following: SIN toa- un-
necessarily and nnconshtationaNy commenced By
the President of the United States" Lincon vo-
ted for this amendment. (See Cong. Glote,
1848, p. 95.) Hencs it appears that Lincoln
desired to thank Gen. Taylor for obtaining a
victory over the enemy Cat Buena Vista, (which,
for its signal and brilliant character, is unsur-
passed in the military annals of world, but
"in mar unnecessarily and araconstutionaliy be-
gum" This is the kind of thanks that Lincoln
desired to give Gen. Taylor, "and the officers
and soldiers Of the regular army and OF the vol
unteers under his command" In another place
in Lincon's speech on the war, he thus spoke
OF the President. "The blood of this war, like
the blood Of Able, was crying from the ground
against him" Thus it will be seen that Lin
coin regarded the blood that our soldiers shed
in Mexico, as crying from the ground against
them, like the blood Of the murdered Abel
Were our officers and soldiers in Mexico mur.
derers? Lincoln answers, in effect, that they
,oere. For this speech see Congressional Globe
184S, page 155.-Patriot and Union.