The North-Carolina standard., February 24, 1847, Image 1

About The North-Carolina standard. (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850

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PUBLISHED WEEKLY, BY
tflM'IAilZ W. HOI.DEIV,
EDITOR AJVJ) PROPRIETOR.
THE CONSTITUTION AND Tlf E UNION STATES'TliEir "MTJST BE PRESERVED.
VOLUME XIINUMBER 642.
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SPJGECH OF MR. SMITH,
OF ORANGE,
Delivend in the House of Commons of te Gen
eral Assembly of North Carolina, January 8th,
1S47 On the subject of appropriating $10,000
for the North Carolina Regiment for the prose
cution of the Mexican war.
Mr. Speaker : The subject now under discus
sion is one of
great and
vital importance, as it is
so deeply connected with the honor and character
of our State, and that responsibility we owe to our
common constituents. I rise, therefore, for the
purpose of expressing my cordial and hearty ap
probation of the very proper and praiseworthy
Resolution upon your table for the aid and support
of our Volunteers for the Mexican war, and to
enter my unqualified disapprobation ot the first
cause of the Preamble " Whereas, by the action
of the Executive and the subsequent sanction oj
Congress, the Republic is engaged in a foreign
war, and our Slate is called upon for volunteers."
I confess my astonishment at this wanton and
uncalled for attack upon the President of the TJ.
Suites; and I have waited patiently to hear some
arguments adduced and reasons assigned for so
extraordinary a course. " Gentlemen have, indeed,
essayed to perform the task, and with ability have
conducted the prosecution ; but they have utterly
and signally failed to prove any of the counts in
their indictment.
Why is it, sir, the preamble begins with a
charge, by innuendo, that our country is in the
wrong, and that the awful responsibilities of war,
with all its horrors and calamities, rests on the
person of the Executive of the United Slates?
Will our constituents expect- and require of us,
this day, to be engaged in discussing vague and
abstract speculations -as lo the causes which pro
duced this war? or do they not rather expect that
we are acting boldly and promptly in giving "aid
and comfort," not to the Mexican republic, but to
our brave and generous.sons who are now volun
tarily going to bear all the perils of the ocean,
the camp, and the field, to maintain the honor and
glory of their country in a foreign land, against a
barbarous, faithless, and perfidious foe?
Have you any warrant from the people of
North Carolina to compromit her noble and gen
erous character, in the eye3 of the world, by placing-
her in a false position as unfriendly to the
existing war, and sympathizing with a public
enemy? Have the other States of the Union ac
companied the bounty to their sons with such pal
try and degrading party qualifications? It is na
tural that men should disagree in opinion in mat
ters of State, as well as every thing connected with
human action. Parties have existed in this re
public, and will continue to exist to the end of
time. It is in some degree a natural element of
free government. It is upon their acting and
counteracting influence that a perfect equipoise
nnd balance of power will be maintained, and our
free form of government perpetuated- But -our
observation will prove to us that circumstances
will sometimes arise whiqh will imperiously re
quire of every friend of his country to sacrifice his
own personal preferences and opinions on the altar
cf patriotism. I contend, therefore, that the pres
ent war with Mexico is one of those great and im
portant events which demands of every man who
owes allegiance to these States, and receives pro
tection in return from them, to surrender his party
feelings and come lo the rescue of his beloved
country. I shall, therefore, hold the majority
here responsible for every obstacle they may in
terpose to the free, prompt, and decisive action of
this House on this measure, so just and proper, for
the aid and comfort of our gallant young men who
are making such sacrifices for the honor and glo
ry of their country. It i3 true, sir, your resolution
proposesto appropriate a small amount of money
for the relief of the volunteers; but the generosity
of the act is blurred and stained, by the grudging
and grumbling manner of the donors. I appeal
to the dominant party in this House, to piuse and
reflect in their mad and unpatriotic career. I
know that they feel deeply incensed, and cherish
a spirit of revenge and haired to the President,
because, in his last annual message to Congress,
he, declared to the leaders of their party that a
course precisely such as a majority of this House
propose lo adopt was calculated lo "give aid and
comfort to the enemy.
Mr. SDeakcr. it would be an idle
and useless !
consumption of the time of this House, to enter
into an elaborate and detailed review of the many
causes of complaint which this country has suffer
ed at the hands of Mexico; of the long catalogue
of aggressions .and insults which she has heaped
upon us: of her open and flagrant violations of
our treaty stipulations; of her murder,' robbery,
and imprisonment of our countrymen. These re
peated injuries ' have been borne with christian
forbearance, with the hope that the day was not
distant when the necessary reparation would be
made. It has been the characteristic of our coun
try to be magnanimous in her intercourse with
foreign nations ; to cultivate with them the rela
tions of peace, when it could be done without a
sacrifice of the national honor. But, sir, owing
Jo the weak and distracted condition of Mexico,
"na her want of the necessary means ana re
sources to contend with our country, she has been
permitted to pursue a coarse of policy towards us
that has weakened her resnect for our government
and produced that proud, arrogant, and insulting
lone'of conduct that became so offensive to our
People, and which can do longer be brooked with
patience.
Why, sir, in the administration of Gen. Jack
on he brought this subject to the attention of Con
fess in a special message, in which he declared
that "ihe wanton character of some of the out
rages upon the persons and property of our citi
zens, upon the officers, and "flag of the U. States,
jpdependent of recent insults to this government
and people, by the late. extraordinary Mexican
minister, would justify, in the, eyes of nations, im
mediate war." At the next session of Coqgress,
Mr. Van Buren called its attention to the state of
our affairs with Mexico, and recommended letters
of marque and reprisal in case the necessary and
proper satisfaction was not made. This was some
years before the annexation of Texas to the United
States.
In 1842, the Hon-Waddy Thompson, our min
ister to Mexico, in an able and eloquent letter ad
dressed to the diplomatic corps at Mexico, in
which he complained in the strongest terms of the
injuries the United Slates had suffered at the hands
of Mexico, said : "Not only have we never done
an act of an unfriendly character towards Mexico,
but- I confidently assert that, from the very mo
ment of the existence of the Republic, we have
allowed no opportunity to pass of doing Mexico
every kindness. I will not now enumerate the
acts of that character both to the government of
Mexico and the citizens, public and private. If
this government chooses to forget them, I will not
recall them. While such has been our course to
Mexico, it is with pain-1 am forced lo say that the
open violations of the rights of American citizens
by the authority of Jvlexico have been greater for
the last fifteen' years than those of the rest of
Christendom united. Yet we have left the re
dress of all these multiplied and accumulated
wrongs to a friendly negotiation, without intimat
ing a disposition to resort to force."
Mr. Speaker, it cannot bedisguised that our
recent difficulties with Mexico have ensued from
the annexation of Texas to the U. Slates, which
so deeply exasperated the feelings of the Mexican
people. No one can, who gives an impartial con
sideration to the subject, doubt that Texas, as a
free and independent republic, had a perfect and
indisputable right to merge -her sovereignty into
our Federal Union without violating the settled
and established usages of nations, or of giving just
cause of offence to Mexico.
Sir, Mexico was once a province of old Spain ;
she revolted from the mother country, and by a
successful revolution threw off the Spanish yoke,
and declared her independence. In a General
Congress in" 1824 she established a republican
Constitution upon the mould of our own. Texas
constituted a State of the new Republic ; . she com
prised that vast extent of country between the Rio
del Norte and the western boundary of the United
States, and was formerly a part of the State of
Louisiana, having been purchased from France
by Mr. Jefferson, and afterwards ceded to Spain
by the Florida treaty. Possessing a delightful
climate and fertile soil, it soon attracted the atten
tion of our people, nnd drew a large population
from the American States on the gulf and the
great west. The federal constitution guaranteed
to Texas a republican form of government, nnd
the central government ottered the most liberal
. ...
inducements to settlers from all paits of the world
and especially from the United States.
The policy of relinquishing our claim to a
country of such great extent and fertility so favor -
ably located for settlement was justly questioned
by many enlightened and patriotic citizens at the
time of the ratification of the Florida treaty.
Hpnrv CAnv when Recretarv of State, discovered
of what vast imoortance the acauisition of Texas
. wii j a
would be to the United States and especially to
the great western valley. He made great efforts
to purchase it from Mexico, but failed. General
Jackson also made, during Jm administration,
similar efforts to acquire lhe territory, but was
alike unsuccessful. After a few years of experi
ment in Mexico, it was discovered that her rxoplo
were incapable of self government; the country
became the theatre of civil strife and intestine
feuds; one revolution succeeded another in such
rapid succession that the constitution of 1824 was
soon abrogated. Santa Anna was soon declared
Supreme Dictator of the Republic, and. the pow
ers of the government, both civil and military,
were concentrated and consolidated in the person
of this military usurper. The people of Texas
revolted upon the overthrow of the federal consti
tution, and resolved no longer to wear the yoke of
Mexican bondage.. They met in convention and
declared their independence, formed a constitution
and government, and declared the Rio Grande
from iis mouth to its source her southern bound
aryrand the Sabine and the United States bound
ary on the rasi to be hers.
It was "then that Santa Anna, the blood-thirsty
tyrant of Mexico, resolved upon the subjugation
of Texas. He marched with a large mercenary
army to the frontiers of Texas, for the purpose of
potting to the sword a small but gallant band of
patriots who were rallying around the standard of
liberty. At Goliad, Conception, and the Alamo,
the Texans were overpowered by superior num
bers, and were put to the most horrii and igno
minious deaths. The annals of Savage barbarity
will hardly furnish a parallel for such scenes of
coldblooded butchery and slaughter. But, sir,
Providence smiled upon the good cause of Texis;
and on ihe plains of San Jacinto her liberty was
sealed a glorious and victorious battle was fought
between Gen. Houston's army and Santa Anna's
on the Slslof April, f836, when Santa Anna was
captured and the Mexican army annihilated 1
Then it was that Santa Anna became sL beggar
for his life, at the feet of Gen. Houston ; and, to
save his own lite and initoi tne remnant oi nis
army, he signed a treaty acknowledging the in
dependence of Texas and recognizing the Rio
Grande or the Rio del Norte as the boundary.
Texas trom that day was a free and independent
republic; her independence was recognized by
the United States, by France, England, and Hol
land, For eight years Mexico made no effort to
reconquer the country. It is true she made many
and pompous paper manifestoes, containing serious
threats of an invasion, but no hostile Mexican foot
dared to tread upon the soil of Texas.
The resources of Texas had however, been
much exhausted and her treasury embarrassed,
by causes arising out of iho. war. . Her people
felt the peculiarity of their position, and wanted
the aid and support of some great power. They
hnA nil their attachments for their native land
their feelings and sympathies were with the Uni
ted States. With great unanimity, thereiore, tney
asked of our government to be incorporated into
the American Union. Their overtures were again
and again repulsed., . Finally it was discovered
that England and France were intermeddling with
tbe affairs of Texas and Mexico, for the sole pur
pose of defeating the annexation of the", former lo.
the United States. So far had this interference
gone, that Mexico proposed to relinquish any title
she might bare claimed to Texas, qpd to rccog-
nize her independence, if she would refuse alL
connection with our government. It was then
that the attention of President Tyler was called to
the importance of the subject. . He moved at once
in the matter; and with the aid of the democratic
party, the cunning devices and intrigues of. old
England were defeated, and this vital and import
ant acquisition was made to the United States
Texas was solemnly, by due constitutional author
ity, incorporated as a State of the North American.
Union, with the Rio del Norte as the true boundary.
Mr. SpeaTcer, as soon as the Mexican Minister
Gen. Almonte perceived that the intrigues of
crowned heads had been defeated, he entered a
solemn protest in the name of his government
against the annexation, asked his passports, ter
minated his mission, and left the country. Im
mediately the Government of Mexico withdrew
her Consuls from our ports, and refused to have
any fuither intercourse with the United States
Government She became deeply exasperated,
and resolved upon an invasion .of Texas. She
commenced raising -a large army lo carry-this
resolution into effect. Texas was then a State of
this Union. She appealed, as she had the. right to
do, to the President of the United States, the head
of the naval and military force of the country, to
interpose on her frontier borde Such a force as
would protect her from invasion.'
The President promptly, as he was bound by
his oath and official duty, sent an army headed by
a distinguished General, west of the Ncuces. to
act as an army of observation. He sent a fleet
into the Gulf of Mexico, and one to the Pacific
ocean, to guard our interests in that quarter.
They were merely fleets of observation, with
large powers to act if our rights were invaded. !
it soon became apparent that Mexico intended !
to invade Texas. Corpus Christi being too re
mote from the threatened point. ofUnvasion, the
President otdcred Gen. Taylor vith his army to
advance lo the Rio Grajide, nnd to station it oppo
site to the Mexican town of Malamoras. This
order was promptly obeyed, ffnd Gen. Taylor
posted his army at the point designated. The
wisdom of this course soon became evident, for
the Mexicans were assembled in great force on
the south bank of the Rio Grande. The Ameri
can Commander sent over the river a distinguish
ed American Officer, under a flag to inform the
Commander of the Mexican forces, that the army
was not there for the purpose of hostilities, but as
an army of observation. To this polite nnd pa
cific note, the American General received in re
ply, that if he did not break up his encampment
and fall back east of the Neuccs, he would attack
him in full force. With this understanding the
Mexicans cross over the river to the American
side, and attack the encampment of Gen. Taylor,
situate on our own soil. Simultaneously hey has
ten to Point Isabel I, and attack our troops in full
force ; they -were bealen, and driven back lo their
(own side of the river.
, M7. Sneaker, I have thus endeavored to give a
i l t . . i
, snort nistory oi tne causes mat produced our pre-
.sent war with Mexico. x When hostilities com-
nienced, was lexas a Stale of the American
Union? No one will deny this proposition. Was
; Gen. Taylor on soil claimed by the United States!
1 when attacked by the enemy, and known to the
j Government of Mexico to be so claimed 7 This
! must also be conceded. The President had peace-
: fully, in good faith, offered to treat on the question ;
.of boundary. Ihe Mexican government had
: - . .
' promptly ana onensiveiy reiuseu nu overtures oi
peace, liut, sir, it is said mat tne executive is to
blame for the war. If so, I demand to know in
what particular ? Should he have permitted our
Army to have remained at the Neuces nnd suffer-
ed the people of Texas to have been overrun
by an exasperated savage foe? Should ha have
broken up our encampment
opposite Matamorns
at the command of the Mexican ueneral, and
fallen back north of the Neucrs, and left an open
field lo savage and barbarious Vandals lo glut
their revenge upon our innocent and unoffending
rnnnl rumrn 1 Vnn mnv tnL'K either hrtrn nf llie
that war exists by the action of the Executive.
Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time in ihe
history of our country when we have had a party
opposed
to war.
when a
In our last strugglewith Great
Britain,
foreign army was landing on
our const, and the Republican, parly was sustain-
ing the honor and character of the nation, there
was found a class of men who burnt blue lights,
and refused lo sustain the flag of their country;
who assembled in the old Hartford Convention
under the -silence of midnight, plotting treason
against their government. Sir, this is not the first
investment that has been made in a political party
Bank. The old blue light Federal Bank of 1812
was founded on just this sort of capital; Josiah!
Q.uincy was President of the Bank, and Daniel
Webster, Rufus King, nnd others were directors.
Able officers, notwithstanding which, the scheme
failed, and blue light Federal Bank and Nick
Biddle both died, the former in its childhood ihe
latter in advanced life of that slow and certain dis-!
ease Marasmus.
From the character of this infamous,, Mexican
preamble, and the pertinacity and obstinacy mani
fested by our political opponents in adheiing
to its present form, and rejecting all and every
modification of it, I fear that they propose t'o
make a new and enlarged edition of Whig capi
tal, in war or Mexican stocks. . If that is your
purpose, I will apprise gentlemen that I will not
subscribe, as it is certain to be a bad investment
But, if not political capital, what else does the
paity expect to accomplish by this preamble-? Is
this your mode of aiding those patriotic and gal
lant spirits who have stepped forward to fight the
battles of their country in a foreign land ? Where
are they nowJ Are they not assembling in their
different counties, preparing to leave their homes
for the theatre of war? Do you not expect to see
among them many whose lot has . been cast in
poverty? Perhaps, this day, hundreds of them
turning their faces to this capitol, hoping and ex
pecting at our hands a generous return to their
call for immediate nid. . Many of them without
hats, coats, and blankets, to protect them from the
peltiogs of a wintry storm. I call upon the, ma
jority of this house to say whether they appreciate
the gallantry ol these poor men. it they do, .1
beseech them lo forget party, and join me and my
political friends in a prompt action for their relief.
I. tvar thai this call upon the majority will bei in
vain. I fear that : this is part and parcel of the
caucus bands of the Whig party at the beginning
of the session The deed - has been deereed by
party drill, and cannot be revoked.
Mr. Speaker, it cannot be disguised, that it is the
purpose of ihoso who advocate this preamble to
censure the Chief Magistrate of our country, and
through him the great Democratic parly, who
placed nim in bower. ' Will this promote' the
good of our nation 7 Will the Mexican leaders
have reason any the sooner by y our censure of the
Executive? Let your preamble be read at the
nead or tne columns of Santa Anna's legions. Will
it not aid the cause. of the enemy, by showing to
them that your President is guiltp of high crimes
and misdemeanors, and bad faith in the administra-
talion of your government? Will your volunteers
be the more zealous or ardent in your service, by
saying to them that they are going in an unjust
cause; that the war is thje President's and not the
country's; that they will have to shed the blood
of an innocent people? Then be not shocked
that we say to you that your cause is unpatriotic
and injurious. What 1 send your bravo volun
teers to battle in a foreign land, and say to them
at the same time: you are going in an unrighteous
war, under the direction of a wicked and faithless
traitor I This is certainly to discourage them, and
to aid and assist the enemy.
But, Sir, it was the purpose of the authors of th is
Preamble to place the democratic" party in a false
position -either to deny aid to the volunteers, or
censure the Executive. Shallow device nnd small
game for the decency party. But it is the game
of the party here; and they have received their
cue from the North. Yes, gentlemen walking in
the footsteps of the old blue light federalists illus
trious models for your guide 1 The great stipen
diary and personification of old federalism, is your
Orderly. . He proclaimed in the Senate of the
UnHf d Slates that the war cost the nation a half a
million a day, which is utterly false and destitute
of-jfoundation. But gentlemen do not love the
cognomen of federalism; the term is pretended to
be offensive to some. I do. not intend it to be such.
Butjiow can you escape from the dilemma? Your
course is similar and parallel with the old anti
war fideralists. ''They were opposed to the pur
chase'of Louisiana from France, and against the
extension of territory, and for surrendering tbe
Mississippi and its great advantages. You were
against tne acquisition ot Texas, ana lor giving-
up the great North River to Mexico. They took
sides with Great Britain, and denounced Mr.
Madison, as author of the war with England.
You denounce the Mexican war, and lay all the
blame to Mr. Polk. The parallel fails in one im
portant feature. The old federal party was con
sisti nt and firm ; they said a thing and followed it
up by acts; they opposed the purchase of Louisi
ana to the last. Your party opposed the annexa
tion of Texas, but when whipped in by the forco
of public opinion, they voted for it. You first
advocate the war and then throw it on the Presi
dent The federal party was more liberal to Mr.
Madison than you are to Mr. Polk. The old fed
eral parly was opposed to the war with England
j fclJJ VUUVUl , till UUIIIQb UIIJT uuu crvi J
'measure lo carry it on they iound fault all the
' . -w -r i i a
time, xou nave aaopteu tne -same course, ana
hope to -obtain tali the offices and honors of
your country by degrading your own government
in the, eyes of the world, in the person of your
Chief Magistrate, Your predecessors, the old
federalists, hoprd for and obtained the same re-
Uvarcfc, for the villificution of Mr. Jefferson and Mr.
Madison, for the purchase of Louisiana and the
declaration of war against Great Britain..
Mr. Speaker, if you believe that the Executive
has brought this war on the country by his wick-
ca and mischievous councils, why.not give him
.
t and the world an evidence ot sincerity by request-
i ing- our .ppreseiuauves in congress 10 move anu
jjien.T urucies 01 niipeuuimieiu ugainsi nun xi
n n-1 i fn.. r . u tt:.j o.
r . I r : I . r . i - n ye
; army were thus charged he would have a right to !
have a court martial to try him. Now, if the'
Executive be guilty of a violation of the laws "of
ll is country as you allege, he ought to be impeach-
ed, and the Whig party are bound to proceed in
jl I hey cannot acquit themselves of a duty . this war will be prosecuted with vigor ; and not
without such a course it is but an act of justice J withstanding all the abuse that has been lavished
to the President and the whole country. But you upon the Executive, he has manfully defended
(fire not to venture the impeachment, for the rea- i the honor and character of his country, and entitled
son that such a course would elicit tbe truth, nnd 'himself to the lasting gratitude of the nation.
such a prompt acquittal as would make a final dis -
j position and end of the hopes and prospects of
j the Whig party. The leader of your party who
would have the boldness to venture on that remc-
'dy, would find himself where Josiah Cuincy did,
. after offering articles of impeachment against Mr.
Jefferson he, alone in tbe affirmative, and the
! whole. House of Representatives in the negative.
Why, Sir, has this assault been made upon the
I President without an iota of proof to sustain it?
We ioin issue with the advocates of this preamble,
and challenge them to show, in any one particular.
that the Executive has violated the laws and con
stitutibn that he has not maintained the honor
and the welfare of the country. It is true, he has
rebuked the unpatriotic acts of your party, in so
very unjustly espousing the Mexican cause, put
ting your enemies in the right, and your country
in the wrong, thus raising the expectations of the
enemy that a change of rulers would better their
prospects. In this you nre inflicting an injury on
your country, and deceiving (he enemy, holding
out to them false hopes and colours.
Suppose our political opponents had the power,
and the administration was transferred to the whig
party, what would your President do? Would
he call n new Congress, and . say to them this
country is now engagnd in n war with aforeigrt
nation by the action of the Executive and the sub
sequent sanction of Congress, then fore, the war
is uniust, and must be terminated.. Suppose further,
that Congrrss was made out of the material to suit
the action to the word, and would advise overtures
of peace to Mexico. Now let us figuro the result.
A national vesssel is despatched with n minister to
Vera Cruz; a flag of truce is sent in with this letter;
To his Excellency Do?$ Lopez de Santa Anna,
P resident of the Mexican Republic :
The President of the U. States of-America who
has succeeded to James K. Polk, who had unwise
ly, wickedly, wrongfully and unconstitutionally,
waged a cruel, and unjust, and unrighteous war,
against the sister Republic of Mexico, assures your
Excellency of the high regard he entertains for
you personally arid the - Mexican people, and in
this he is confident he bespeaks the sentiments of
the whole whig party, who have elevated him to
his present, high station- With the hope of re
viving those friendly relations which should exist
between sister Republics, he has appointed a dis
tinguished citizen of tbe United States to reside as
minister at the couit of Mexico, with full powers
to settle all tbe matters of dispute and difficulty
between the two nations.''
I will now give you what might be expected
as a reply to this overture for peace, if the past is
to shadow forth the future ::
To the P resident of the United Statei of the
North:
The President of ihe Mexican Republic is
t gratified to see that the Mexican cannon and bayo
nets are beginning to bring the arrogant and
perfidious rulers of the North to their senses they
begin to review their scandalous conduct to this
government. I hope our victorious arms will
show to the' civilized! :world the justice of. our
cause, and our ability to maintain it .Your
proposition cannot be entertained at ffiis time. If
you will withdraw your fleets from the Gulf and
the Pacific, aod yofrr armies beyond the Sabine,
and retain them there; then, and not till then, will
the brave Mexicans lay down their arms, or listen
to anything coming from a nation whose course
has been scandalous, and so well calculated lo dis
turb the peace of the world by their avaricious
and grasping disposition. God ana Liberty I
I candidly believe that this is a fair picture of
what might be expected in such a posture of our
affairs.. What would you doin such an event?
Would you notappea-1 in the strongest terras to the
valor, the honor and patriotism of the country, to
come lo your relief, and to punish and chastise
such a foe ? Suppose, Sir, the Democratic party
had a majority in the North Carolina Legislature,
and in their turn they resolved that, .
Whereas, war with Mexico has been proIong6d,
and the nation disgraced by the imbecility and
whining subserviency of the Executive, and the
subsequent sanction of Congress,
Resolved? therefore, that the sum often thou
sand dollars is hereby appropriated to the vol
unteers, to aid in the prosecution of this iininst war.
and to get our our. country out of this disgraceful
contest. .
In thi3 case, you would certainly be most
thankful to. us for our bounty, nnd especially
grateful for the very polite and obliging terms in
which it was tendered.
Mr. Speaker, this is a most unkind, unfair, and
unjust course, so far as the democratic party is
concerned. It is carrying out all lhat was shadow
ed forth by the organ of the party, in this city, soon
after the August elections. Ho urged the party,
as they had the power, to make clean work of it T
to show no quarters. Sir, you are like the Jacobins
of the French revolution, in your intoxication of
power ; you have forgotten liberty, and siaggend
on despotism.
But, if this war is so unjust, why did Congrrss
sanction it ? In May last, the President informed
Congress that Mexico had made war on the Uni
ted Slates; had crossed the Rio Grande, and-had
attacked the United States' forces on American
soil : that Gen. Taylor had orders to repel the in-
vasion: that, from the acts of Mexico, war existed.
The facts to sustain this message, of a true official
character, was laid before Congress at the tim'p.
What did Congress do ? Did they disapprove of
the course of the Executive? By no means.
They, with unparalleled unanimity all parties,
with very few exceptions concurring voted, the
j first sweep, to raise 50,000 volunteers, and ten
I milllnnc nf rlnlLii-Q In niil In n nrnmnl nnrl ofR(irnf
prosecution of the war. Does any believe that if
Congress had thought the President had un
constitutionally and unlawfully involved the coun
try in war, that they would so promptly and so
speedily have furnished him with so large an
amount of mm and money to carry it on ? No,
Sir. The federal members would never have
J come into the measure, if they could have avoided
it. They knew that the voice of tho whole
Amencan people would have denounced them, ifj
they had dared to pursue any other course
Mr. Sneaker, how unpitriotic and treasonable
has been the course of those who have attempted !
to make this war odiousand unnonularr who have
. . . .
exerted themselves to th
patriotism of their counti
1 1 .- U. J .1 1
iuw a uu inner unuu inn
ntry; who have been fina-
, ing fiult with the action of their own government.
and furnishing arguments and weapons to be used
; by their enemies against our free institutions! Sir,
. When this war shall have been terminated, and
j our volunteers return to their naiivelanl, covered
with scats ond glory; whea they shall recount
their glorious achievements in b itile, and the tri
' umphant success of our arms in many a sanguin-
' ary engagement; of how proudly the star spanghd
banner floated over the walls oi Mexico; and of
what hallowed associations
clustered around the !
name ot an American in
foreign land; when
they shall tell of their trials and dangers, of their
many sacrifices of the comforts of home and kin
!dred. and of friends, to preserve untarnished the
honor and liberty of our country, then Sir, the
authors of this preamble will blush for shame at
the foul blot they have attempted lo affix upon the
proud escutcheon of North Carolina.
Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe that if this pre
amble receives the sanction of this House, it can
long be permitted to disgrace the arcfiives of the
State. The pcopley, in tones of thunder, will de
mand that it shall be expunged from the public
journals; that black lines shall be drawn around it,
as a badge of everlasting mourning for an act of
such base partizan servility and folly.
We are now engaged, for the third lime, in war
with a foreign country. OuY country has claims
upon us. and ifan' one is found so base as to raise
a parricidal voicengaist her, he is guilty of an act
of moral treason, and is unworthy of the proud
name of an American citizen. Sir, I am no
prophet, but I think the day is not fir distant,
Avhen the authors of this preamble will hide their
heads for shame; when ihey will wish "that the
recording angel that registered this black deed in
Heaven's chancery on high, would drop a tear
upon it, and blot it out forever." . Sir, if I am not
mistaken in my estimate of the genius and charac
ter of the people of North Carolina, this foul and
unholy altcmpt. to cast censure Cpon our country
by attempting to make this an odious andTmconsti
tqtional war, will meet the burning indignation of
an, outraged people. Go home and tell your con
stituents that, to effect a party triumph, you etruek
a blow, through their Cfyief Magistrate, at the hon
or of your country; that for electioneering pur
poses, you endeavored to put a damper upon the
patriotism of your fellow countrymen - that while
thousands and tens of thousands of gallant and in
dignant spirits were rallying to the standard of
their country, ready. to sustain it, or perish on the
bed of honor, you were here, far. from the field of
danger, comfortably seated within the walls of this
magnificent capitol, discussing vagtre and abstract
propositions aS to the Causes which produced the
war f Gm, Sir, and mingle in the crowd j hear
the hisses and scorn of a Brave and generous peo
ple: wilness the burning indignation,- the wither
ing contempt, that awaits you, for a: course ofj
conduct so unpatriotic, unnatural, and alien to the
character of the American people 1
' Mr. Speaker, I have too" long trespassed. upon
the attention of the House I know that I hare"
but fitile experience in public affairs, and less per'
sonal influence than I could wfh. But as the old
North State i the land of my birth and the home'
of my affections, I hold her fair fame as dear to me
as any eannry treasure in tne worm, in our early
struggles for independence, she was the first Sliie
to unfurl ihe flag of freedom upon the soil of old
Mecklenburg. Sir, thanks to God, the fire; of lib
erty yet gloriously kindle in the hornet nest of tbe'
revolution! . Her patriotic sons, through evil and!
through good report, haverlung with filial fond
nrss to the cause of civfr liberty. Deeply imbued
with the patriotic zeal and spirit of their sires,' ibh
best blood of the revolution courses' in fheif veins
and stimulates them to action. Those of her sons'
who have volunteered in this war want but a fair
field and an open fight, to cover themselves wiitf
immortal honor they will be found in the fore'
most rank, where blows fall fastest and thickest
sustaining the stars and stripes" of our glorious
Union. - - - - '
Mf. Speaker, what a sulum'e rno'raf spectacfe
was witnessed the other d iy, in another end of
the capitol I I, allude to the departure of General
Wilson for the theatre of war.: A man Who ha
grown gray in the public service surrounded by
every comfort which' weahhr could bestowthtf
cherished representative oi his county flie firide
and one of the chief ornaments of tho Senate of
his native Stfjte 1 He rrsigns his seat in that body,
lo fead a smalt but gallant band of patriots fo'tntf
" burning sands of Mexico. Gof gallant General i
the blessings of Heaven attend you ihe prayers of
thousands of your countrymen will ascend to the
God of bailies, that he will neive your hand, and
balhe yotir sword in the blood of the enemy t
BY AUTHOlllTY
- LAWS OP THE UNITED STATES,' .
PASSED AT THB S&COTSD SESSION OP THfi
TWENTY-NINTH CONORSS.'
M-l
fPcBxte No 1.1 I
An Act for the admission of the State of Iowa ?nto
Abe Union
Whereas the people of the Territory of to va' dfid,
on the eighteenth d ty of M ly, anno Domini
eigh'een hundred and forty-six, by a con vent fori
ofdelegates called and assembled forthnt purpose,--form
for themselves rr constitution and State gof-'
crnment which constitution is tepublican in it
character and features and said convention bars,
asked admission of the said Territory "into" tho
I Union as a State, on an equal footing with the
original States, in obedience to " Ah arffor th
admission of the States of Iowa and Florrdaf fit
to the Union," approved March third, eighteen
hundred and forty-fire, arid 4f Anact to. define
the boundaries of the State of Iowa, and to re
peal so much of the act of the third of Marchy
one thousand eight hundred nnd forty-five, ajf
relates to' the boundaries of Iowa', which said
last act was npproved August fourthj-janno
Domini eighteen hundred a"nd forty six : Tber
fore
Be it enacted by the Seridle and lttiv.it cf Rip-
j reienlatives oj tne Unite a stales of America tit
Congress assembled, That the State of Iowa shall
j be one, nnd is hereby declired to be on, of thtf
United
States of America, and nd mined into the
on an eona! footinar with the OTicrrra!
Union
Stales in all respects wltttsover.
Sec. 2. And be it further enaced, That alf the
provisions of " An act supplemental to the net for
r1fniQinn nf ih Xt.itpe nf Fnw Cli..
into the union," approved xvnrcn third, eighteen
hundred and' forty-five, be and the same nre here
by, declared to continue and remain in full force
as applicable to the Slate, of town,: as hereby
admitted and received into the Union.
JOHN W. DAVIS,
Speaker of tho Houso of Representatives.
GEORGE M. DA LAS.
President of the Senate,
Approved December 28, 1846.
- JAMES RL POL&
Ppblic No. 2 .
An Act to cttcotfragc cfllisfmch'fs in ihe regflfa'l!
' " ' . army.
Be it enacted by the Senate and' House of Rei-
riserilatires of the United Stales of America in
Congress assembled. That during the contirruanrn
of the war .with Mexico, the term of enlistment of
the men lo bo recruited for the rcgimems ofdra
goons, artilcry, infantry; and riflemen, of the pres
ent military estabfrshmcnl,' shall be "during the"
war," or five years, at the option of the recruit!
unless sooner discharged. , :. a
Ska' 2. Aii be it further endcted, That ihcfp
shall be allowed and paid lo every able-bodied man
who shall be duly enlisted to serve in the artillery
or infantry for zhe term of five years, or during
the war, a bounty of twelve dollars;' but the pay
ment of six dollars of the said bounty shall be de
ferred until the recrnit shall hare joined for duly
the regiment in which he is lo serve,
' Approved January 12, 1847.
Public No. 3
An Act deelaringthe assent pf Congress to cer
tain States to impose a (ax upon all lands here
after sold by the Unftcd States therein from and
after the day of such sale.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep'
resehtatives oj the Ignited Stales of America in
CdrtgreSs assembled, That the assent of Congress
is hereby given to the several Slates admitted into
the Union prior to Ihe twenty-fourth day of April)
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred and twenty, to impose' a fax or taxes upon all
lands hereafter sold by the United Slates, irt skid
States, from and after the day of such sale: Prov''
ded, 'i hat the assent hereby given shall in nowise
impair that provision of the compact with the saiol
States which, declares that all - lands belonging 49
citizens of the United Stales residing without tbe
said States shall never be taxed higher than lands
belonging to persons residing therein. i- ;
Approved January 26, 1847.
'. " LpbliCNo. 6.J '
An Act to raie, for a limited time, 4n additional
military force, and for other purposes , -Be
it enacted by the Senate ami louse of Rep
rcsenlalives of United Slates of Amej tea in Con
gress assembled'. That in addition to the present
military establishment of the United States,- there
shall be raised aod organized, under the direction
of the President, for and during the war with Mexi
co, oue regiment of dragoons and nine regiments
of infantry, each fo be composed of the same num
ber and rank of commissioned and aon-coromis-siooed
officers, buglers, musicians and privates,
&.C., as are provided for a regiment of dragoons
and infantry respectively, under eiistin laws, and
r