Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-03-04
THE WAR UNJUST!
THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
SPEECH OF MR.. CORWIN,
IN Tne U. s. SENATE ON rnE lllh INST. ON TnE
THREE MILLION BILL"

lSpecluly hepOfeu LOT the view ioIk
Mr. Corwin rose and said Mr. PRESIDENT do
not pretend TO attempt the performance of task
so futile and foolish as 10 go over the whole field
Of discussion which this subject embraces. II has
already been occupied by more vigant aud strong
er hands than mine. All that may hope will be
10 gather here aud there sheaf two before the
harvest be fully gathered. | rise Mr. President.
and have solicited the attention Of the Senate only
for the purpose ofper(ormng the humble task of
presenting to the body and through it, if possible,
to the particular constituents which represent,
some reasons that have impelled me to occupy,
what every one must know, in times like these is,
10 say the least OF it, position not desirable.
have been compelled, Mr. President, from con-
scientious convictions which have pressed them
selves upon my mind from the commencement OF
the sessiOn-lrom the time | received the Pfesi-
dents Message up TO this hour-to give certain
votes upon very important measures which have
been presented to the Senate, which separate me
not merely from the other side Of the Senate with
whom on those great questions very seldom can
uniie but also from majority Of those gentlemen
belonging TO the same political party,-of which
suppose may call myself a member,-on this side
of the House. II is not remarkable, Mr. President
at least il is not matter of surprise 10 any one
who has attended 10 the various opinions which
have been expressed even in this Hail. that there
should be radical difference Of opinion resulting
out Of that variety Of character and that diversity
of modes Of thought and application Of thought 10
the business oflife, which, at least in the state in
which we at present find mankind, is almost a nat.
uraI necessity. 1t must. however, have struck
every one, sir, as very curious fact that the two
Senators on the other side ofthe Hall, in looking
the present aspect of public affairs should enter
tain such singuary opposite views. The profound
and contemplative mind Of the Senator from South
Carolina (Mr Calhoun) in looking abroad at the
present condition ofthe Republic, could sec moth
ing all around him but darkness, aud doubt and
dstrus, and fearful apprehension, and impenetra.
! BILE gloom while TO the mind Of the Senator from
Michigan (Mr Cass) all was bright and calm, and
| placid sunshine, and prosperous breezes, and a
smooth sea. Now, Mr. President, il this diversity
of opinion is found to prevail in minds habituated
and accustomed TO think earnestly and sincerely
upon public affairs it will present itself to every
body as requiring in him who is to determine be-
tween these two conflicting opinions all the aiten.
| ton which il is possible for the human mind ia
give the subject, under The awful responsibility
which rests upon every man in determining upon
question affecting so deeply the happiness and
interests of so many millions Of human beings.
| Now, wish II were in my power to ener ain
those placid convictions which appear TO have set
tied on the mind Of the Senator from Michigan
rather than have my mind disturbed, as it has beer
in common with the Senator from South Carolina
! by visions and prospects OF eyll-by fearful appre
nenSlOnS tnat every step we are now may "
the last one which shnll be permitted 10 take IL
our career and in our history as free people ant
| am the less inclined 10 listen 10 this siren sonJ
the Senator from Michigan sings to his own sou
in the present fearful aspect Of public affairs, be
cause, Mr. President, | have heard it before
Every one must recolect the condition of thi
country two or three years ago, when that othe
question, which was put the prelude and precurso
10 the one which we are now obliged to discuss
Aoc he nj h, tah AM
anxiously attracted the attention Of the whole PEG
pie ofthe United Staies-the question Of the An
nexation Of the Republic ofrexas, but recently
l portion Of this very Mexico with whom we are no,
at war. We were told then, sir, that Texas bein
; an independent Republic, had right to dispos
of herself in whatever way and 10 whatever end an
purpose she pleased and The parent Republic q
. Mexico having no cause to complain, would ute
, no complaint at the disposition she was then abou
10 make Of herself We were told that war wit
Mexico would not--could not ensue If that ste
should be taken by the people Of the United States
I We were told then, we are told now, by III
Senator from Michigan that all was calm, all wa
Tranquil that as he said yesterday, the sentn'
: might sleep securely on his tower-that all woul
f be peace aud that that step could in no sense di
y turb the friendly relations existing between the H
4 public Of Mexico and the Republic Of the Unite
A States. We were asked not TO anticipate the ev
n which was 10 come Just the Senator from Mcl
~ igan begged us to anticipate not evils which mig
: be in prospect before Sufficient unto the di
"a is the evil thereof" was then the song with whiC
Is the advocates of that measure sought to lul in
4. tranquility, OF into apathy, the excited feeling
the public mind in this country
And Mr. President the day has come, as W
then predicted and the evil predicted has con
o. with it, We are here, sir, now, not as then
d. peace with all the world-n now as then wi
g laws that brought into your treasury eveIyihiI
adequate to its wants--not then free fro
ei debt and the apprehension Of debt and taxation
We necessary consequence. But we are here with
uT treasury that is beggared- lifts up its impl'
~ ing hands TO the monopolists and capitalists Of d
II counlry--ihat sends out its notes aud promises
&C. pay" into every mart and into every market in
IN vorld--beggn for piitance from every hand
en- help to swell the amount necessary TO ex,rci
NY US from a war-inevable as it now seems il "
re- from that very act which was adopted unt
o' such laiterlng promises two years 60. Mr. Pre-
Is dent, il is purpose Of mine 10 arraign the C
ars duct Of the United States upon that occasion.
cts is purpose Of mine 10 treat the young and new
las adopted sister-the State Of Texas-as an alien
his stranger in this family of Republics | aude
er this ouly TO show how little reliance is TO be paC
upon those favorable anicipations in which gen
bic men indulge with regard to consequences VIII
en- may flow from measures TO which they are stron
ear welded either by feeling or by party aitachme
Ted Aud is there nothing else, Mr. President, in
en- history Of the last year TO justify the Senator #
South Carolina in that important declaration VIII