Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-02-06

ocean. We grew rich by being neu-
trail while England VI as belligerent.-
1t was that which so suddenly built
up the mighty fabrick Of our prcsperi-
ty and greatness. Reverse the po-
sition-let England be neutral while
we are belligerent, and the source of
bur wealth and prosperity would be
speedily exhausted.
In just and necessary war, said
Mr.. c., all these consequences ought
to be fearlessly met. Though a
friend to peace, when a proper occa-
sion occurs, l would be among the
last to dread the consequences of war.
/ think the wealth and blood of a coun-
try are we'll poured out in maintain
ing a just, honorable and necessary
war; but such a war as that with
which the country is now threatened
"a mere war Of etiquette war
turning on a question SO trivial as
whether an explanation shall or shall
not be given-no, whether it has or
has not been given, 0or that is the
real point on which the controversy
turns.) to put in jeopardy the lives
and property of our citizens, and the
liberty and institutions of our coun-
try, is worse than folly-is madness,
So: re liberty ana institution, OF
the country. l hold them to be in
imminent danger. Such has been the
grasp of Executive power, that we
have not been able to resist its usur-
pations, even in a period of peace :,
and how much less shall we be able,
with the vast increase of power and
patronage which a war must confer
on the department? In sound con-
dition of the country, with our insti-
tutions in their full vigor, and every
department confined to it's proper
sphere, I'VE would have nothing to fear
from a war with France, or any 9TH
er Power; but our system is deeply
diseased, and we may fear the worst
in being involved in a war at such a
iuncture.
lhave, said Mr.. c., in conclusion,
no objection to the message and doc
uments going to the committee OF, for
eign relations. | have great conf
dence in the committee, and have no
doubt that they will discharge their
duty to the Senate and to the coun-
try with prudence and wisdom, at
the present trying juncture. But let
me suggest a caution against the hasty
adoption Of the recommendations Of
the message. To adopt them would
be to change for the worse the posi-
ton which we now occupy in this un-
fortunate controversy, and lead, l
fear, directly to war. We are told
that a French fleet has been sent to
the West Indies, which has been con-
sidered as a menace, with the inten-
ton of frightening us into hasty meas
ures. The French Government itself
has said in its official journal, that it
acts on the defensive, and that there
is no legitimate cause of war between
the two countries. We would not
be justified with these declarations,
with the circumstances of
the case. were we to regard the sem
ding the fleet as a menace. We must
not forget that we, in this controver-
sy, are, as my colleague said the 9TH
erday in debate, the plaintiffs, and
France the defendant. If there must
be war, it must come from us, not
France. She has neither motive nor
cause to make war. AS we, then,must
declare the war, it is not strange that
France, after what has passed,should
prepare for the worst; and such pre-
paration ought fairly to be considered,
not as u menace, but as a precaution-
ary measure. resulting from our own
acts. But should we in turn COM
nence arming. it must be followed
On the part of France by increased
preparation, and again on ours with
! corresponding lncrease,till at length
the pride and passions of both par
ties would be SO wrought up as to,
burst out in open violence.
Ihave. said Mr.. Calhoun. thus free
" expressed my opinion upon this
important subject, feeling deep con-
viction that neither justice, honor,
nor necessity impel to arms; and that
a war with France. at all times. and
more especially at the present, would
be among the greatest calamities that
could befall the country.f
Mr.. CUTHBERT followed. saw
ing, the Senator from South Carolina
says war must follow! If YOU arm.
war must follow! We are told. in sol
many words, that we dare not do soil