Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-05-27
VOL. II.
CONCLUSION OF THE
Speech of Mr.. CaSS, on the Oregon question,

Carolina (Mr. Calhoun has held up to our
view a sombre picture of the calamilies
which war with England would bring
upon the United States-too sombre, sir,
if | am not utterly ignorant of the history
and condition of my country, and of the
energy and spirit of my countrymen. |
shall not examine it feature by feature; but
there are certain portions | desire to pre-.
sent to the Senate.
What probable circumstances could re-
quire this country to keep up military
force of two hundred thousand men for
ten years-the land portion of it divided
into seven great armies-I confess my
utter inability to con mcclure. Why the no.
norable Senator fixes upon that period for
the duration Of the war, know not. 1t is
so wholly conjectural as to elude the ap-
plication Of any principle TO it. Long be-
fore its expiration, if we are not utterly
unworthy of our name and our birthright,
we should sweep the British Power from
the continent of North America, and the
remainder of the time must be occupied
ny predatory incursions upon the coast,
and by hostlities upon the ocean. The
QdIRGIS VI uASdolCIS "ulCu iulS VI
things brings with it, would require but
small portion of the force considered ne
cessary by the Senator. As to Mexico,
trust we shall bear much from her. We
owe that to our own strength and her
weakness; to our own position, not less
than to the situation of her government,
and TO the quasi civil war, which seems to
be the curse of her condition. But should
we be driven TO put forth our strength,
peace would ensue, but it would be peace
dictated in her capital, and placing her Po-
ltical destiny at our disposition.
And besides, during the progress of such
a war, to which the honorable gentleman
alludes, who can tell the sphere of its ope-
ratlons, and what nations would become
parties to it? How soon would the great
maritime questions of our day present
themselves for solution? How long would
it be before England would revive and en-.
force those belligerent pretensions which
drove US 10 war when we were neutral,
and which would drive other nations to
war occupying the same position? How
long before the violation of her flag would
arouse the public feeling of France, and
compel her government TO vlndlcate It's
honor? And who can tell what war of
principles and opinions would come to add
It's excitement and passions to the usual
struggles of contending nations? The
world is, indeed, in comparative repose
but there are causes in operation which, ii
quickened into action by peculiar circum-
stances, might shake the Institutions Of
Europe to their very foundations. | con-
slider war between England and the Uni
ted States for ten years, or for half of that
time, utterly impossible, without bringing
into collision the great questions of our
day-the right to govern and the duty to
submit--and into fierce action the inte-
rests and passions which such a struggle
would excite-a struggle that must come.
but which such a war would accelerate.
In order that | may remove even the
possibility of misinterpretlng the Senator,
l will read an extract or two from his
speech. After abiding 10 the material
horrors of war, and doing justice to the
courage of lis Countrymen, he adds thai
u war between US and Great Britain, such
as has been described, a F." in which every
nerve and muscle would be strained to
{ the utmost, and every dollar put in requl-
'sitiOn which could be commanded. could
'not fail, under present circumstances, 10
'work most disastrous, and | fear incura
BILE changes in the social condition of oul
people, and in their political institutions
lie then adverts to the consequences oil
such war, drawing after it a Mexican
H. ,oyo I al. L
should need two fleets, six or seven armies
one hundred millions of dollars annually
and a proportlGnate system OF taxation
He then continues, after showing the de
struction of the State governments, AM
the consolidation of all power in the cen
trail authority, and that our very success
would engender a spirit inconsistent witt
the genius of our government: " 1t woulC
then be a straight and downward roaC
which leads TO where so many free States
have terminated their career-a military
'desPotism. In the meantime, we shoul(
nave TO provide for three or four success
lui generals, who would soon be compel
ing Tor the Presidency, and before The
generation which would have waged thu
'waF would have passed away, they Nigh
possibly witness a contest between hostil
generals for that supreme office-a con
test between him who might conquer Ca
'nada, and him who might conquer Mex
go, terminated by the sword"
But permit me to ask the Senator fror
South Carolina, if all this were SO, if hi
anlIcipations were certain, instead of be
ing purely gratuitou', ought the assuranc
of such evedts to come from him. fro
such high authority, in SO high place