Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-03-08
rlsE OoNsrITUTIoN-sr RIGHTS.
Cauhoun's Reply 10 Benton.


Anxious 10 lay before readers the whole Of the elo-
quent and lucid reply Of Mr. Calhoun tho attack fee.
bic and rude made upon him by the Sena-
from Missouri We compelled TO defer eommunca.
ton. and other articles.
Every who may read this speech with an unpreju.
diced mnd must be forced the conclusion that, while the
OF Texas naturally gave great umbrage to Mea
CO, and elected from her government the angry
monsuances, "inoviable" result OF that
measurc-thoush it cannot be doubted tina, would have
been had Mexico been in condition wege upon any
thing like equal ermsjust il Canada. any other pro-
vince OF Great Britain. had been revolonIed Texas
was, and afterwards annexed in the the
Union, woud PROFESSIONALLY have led a declaration
Of war by that Government But Mexico though she
planned and theaened-a poor privilege, which may be
well tolerated IN the weak, who may deem himself injured
by the stronger Power whom would be folly assault
for that nJury-would have gone avenge
that wrong, she regarded II, had Government,
subscq uen with her, been influenced by
proper spirit of msgnanimy, instead OF irritating aud
ehsug her wounded pride by the exhibition OF naughty,
dicaIOal and aggressive temper With entire prOprev,
therefore, may Mr.. G lhoun that the
OF the existing was the occupation, by military force
region OF country claimed both by Mexico and Texas,
bu; actual possession OF the forme and the title
which had been admitted by the act Of annexation it.
sell DO doubtful. and therefore proper subject,
for the decision of Mr.. Polk and his Cabinet, but for
friendly negotiation and adjustment between the Govern
Of the United States aud Mexico. 1, impossible
add any force, however, Mr. Cahouns condensed and
luminous exposition OF this branch OF the subject. lie
hXes the responsibility Of the upon tAe PresieR;. by
narrative OF facts which in themseyes constitute chain
ofressoning that ngenu,y weaken. and from which
sophstry escape Mr.. Q. likewise exposes. with a
pencil Of light the remarkable want OF judgment and sa-
gaciy displayed by the President and his Secretary Of
Stale, in the whole conduct OF foreign relations, the
deploabe consequences OF which ayerted alone by
tho ~ p
dental termination under the advice OF that body. Of the
controversy with Great Britain before the intelligence Of
tue battles upon the Rio Grandc received in London
But for the controlling influence Senate. and tina,
fortunate combination Of circumstances, should this
moment have upon our hands, the result OF the
ABILITY with which, according the resolutions OF
the Virginia Legislature, Mr.. Polk has managed our TO-
reIgn relations, with Great Britain well war
with Mexico.
We sratihed that Mr. Calhoun takes OCCASION in his
speech, vndcate himself from what had before seemed
just impuaton Of delinquency his part in for
bearing make any effort prevent the march OF Gen.
Taylor from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grahdc when on
FIRST hearing 81 H. alter the order had been given he
ioresaw and toretot that would be its probable
qlenco. 1t IS true, he assigned, in former speech,
.or declining invoke the action OF Congress-
he tesred mig impair his influence with President
which ne was then exe'tng TO prevent with Great
Britain tho Oregon question. But II the reason was
satisfactory for his Seg9or, we old not
understand why, being then o! am-r intercourse
with the President ne hesi,aei remonstraie wih kIl
the subject and cndelvor thus the movement
lie tells that nc Did thus remonsaie-lnd the fol-
y Of the Executive ordering tho advance movement TO
The RIO Grante, is rendered sgaay conspicuous by
the information now fTsl communicated TO the country,
that he did in despite Of the appeals and warnings OF the
Senator from South Carolina. In reply q remark from
Nj Benton ha he ought have communicated his ,iews
to the President Mr. Calhoun says, was guilty Of no
negec, IN that respect did fail TO state in the proper
garter explicitly what thought would result from the or
der given Gen. Taylor bu, found very different view,
from mine entertained there. Those in power were quite
confident that the march OF Gen. Taylor the Del Nore
would not IN IT, consequences involve war as they were
occupancy OF Oregon, would involve war with Eag-
land" thus appears that NJ Polk was orswarned that
war with Mexico would be the result Of his pocy-but
Iaa with all the "emnent ability" sscrbed to him by his
friends he acked the sagaciy that result, would
follow else, seeing it, he persisted bis purpose with
the full persuasion thu, would be probable conse-
queHcethst very which, skuking from JUS, respon-
'Oy for his voluntary act, he now asserts exists by
the act OF Mcxco.!.
We hope that Mr.. Cahoun's speech will be universally
readnoi alone because is triumphant personal yndi-
cation, bu; because pourays the imJseiy of the Ad-
mnistraon IN the management Of the great questions Of
foreign policy with which It has boen charged so clearly
aud orebly, that legislative endorsement of its
eminent ability" cannot from popular condomna-
iion.