The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1847-03-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
MIR. CALHOUN'S SPEECH
IN fhe Senafe, IN reply 10 Mr.. Bentons attack,
on The Three Million Bill, delivered
"Wednesday, February 81, ls47.

J." '""hihg PACK upon THESE matters have the
SATISFACTION to feel that fully performed my duty
both here and elsewhere with reference to these
Important questions.
WIN my view Of the character and conse-
qnences OF the war, ! have forborne much.
have suffered NOT little in the estimation of nv
friends both in and out of Congress for refusing to
vote for the bill recognising the existence of war
made by the act of Mexico. have been urged
by them to explain the reasons for my course on
That occasion; but persisted in declining to do
so. because could not see that il would be of any
service to the country, while il might weaken the
hands OF those who are charged with the prosecu-
lion OF the war. adopted the only course which,
according TO my opinion, could with proprieiy--
10 take no active or leading part In reference to
measures intended for carry on the war. but To
give quiet and silent vote in favor of all which
did not seem to me decidedly objectionable but,
In the mean time, TO look out for the first favora
ne opportunity of presenting my views how the
war should be conducted to bring il most advan
,ageously to successful termination. | accord
ingly embraced the opportunity on the discussion
OF the three million bill before the Senate to
present my views, not in the spirit of opposition
but OF kindness, TO the administration, reserving
To myself the expression of my opinion as to the
causes of the war for some suitable OCCASION II
seems, however. that the friends Of those in power
were not satisfied with this course on my part
and without its walls. The senator from Ten.
nessee Immediately on my right Mr. Turney1
commenced the attack here by directly charging
me with being the author of the war; and il has
since been followed by the senator from Missouri
IN this occasion. have thus been forced, in self
defence. to depart from the line which had pre-
scrIbed for myself and to enter into the question,
Who is the author OF the cause of the war
The responsibility is not on me, but on those who
Hall cd 10 ,,o
far | have limited what have said strictly to
self defence, as shall also do on the present oc
| cason.
In looking to the causes which led to the war,
go one step further back than the senator from
Maine, Mr.. Evans, who discussed the subject
IN this aspect with great accuracy and ability
lie began with Mr.. Sldell's mission and negotia-
ton. go step further back to the management
Of the negotiation prior to that period. When
this administration came into power there were
two great questions on hand connected with our
foreign relationship Oregon and the Mexican
As different as they were in their character, and
as remote as the two powers were from each
other. there an intimate connexion between
them which could not be overlooked in conducting
the negotiation, without falling into great and
dangerous error. Such at least is my opinion
wish to say nothing to wound the feelings of the
distinguished individual who had charge of the
/
great error in consequence Of overlooking this
conneXiOn between the two subjects. To nv
mind ii is one of the cearest of propositions that
there could be no well founded hope of adjusting
our difficulties with Mexico until the Oregon
question was finally settled. Why so? The
| reason is obvious. Mexico knew that we had
heavy claims against her which she was little
able to pay. Debtors without means are usually
shy Of their creditors. She could not bat see that
Iher IF IL
against her, provided conflict should ensue be
tween and England in reference to Oregon
She could not but see more--that it might posi-.
bly, afford her opportunity of recovering either
part OF the whole of Texas by an alliance with
England, and avaling herself Of the aid of British
strength and resources IN waging war against
us At all events, she would look with conf
dence to her being protected as an ally OF England
in the treaty by which the war should be iermi.
mated. Whatever objection may be made to Eng
land, she never deserts ally in war. II seem
ed TO me, under these circumstances, that il was
great error to suppose That the differences with
| Mexico could be adjusted while those with Eng
land were pending. Our true policy, then, ac-
cordng TO my opinion, was to suspend all attempts
at opening negotiation with Mexico until that
question was finally settled. When that was
effected, and Mexico could no longer look to the
support of England in her controversy with us,
differences between US, and enter into conflict
with power every way vastly her superior
There would, then, be another advantage which
would greatly favor settlement of our Difficult
ties with Mexico. The eloquent senator from
Louisiana has truly said that Mexico, at least So
| far capital is concerned, a British colony
| The immense interest which England has in the
country, would have enlisted her on The side OF
peace, and the whole Of her vast influence would
| bov hoo, TOD f, vi t,,o 1T,
a satisfactory arrangement with us. | cannot
doubt that. onder the influence Of these powerful
causes, with a little forbeaTance and prudence on
our part, all tie causes of difference between the
two countries would, ere this, have been settled
! by a treaty satisfactory to both.
| An opposite course was, however, unfortunate
! ly taken both negotiations were pushed at the
same time and that with Mexico, with at least
as much zeal, and as strong a pressure, as that
with England. The then President Of the "a.
public of Mexico (Heuera) was friendly to the
| United States, and anxiously disposed, on that
account, as well as others, TO settle the differences
with us. Acting under these feelings, he acceded
TO the proposition 10 receive a commissioner with
out duly rejecting, as the events proved, on these
great i'm, ,ediments in the minds of the Mexcans
against treating with Us. The result was as
might have been anticipated. Paroles took cd
vantage Of the error, and hurled Herrera from
power and the effect of this premature attempt
at opening negotiation, was TO overthrow friend
and place an enemy in power, deeply committed
against settling the differences between the two
countries, and theTeby-as ought to have been
foreseen-gready 10 increase the difficulty Of any
future settlement Of the questions What follow
ed from fbis unfortunate step, until it ended IN
var between ibe two countries, has been so clear
y traced by the senator from Maine, as to super
sede he necessity Of my touching upon il.