Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-03-25
VERMONT PHOENIX,
Who Commenced the War;


We believe large majority of the people pretty well
satisfied by this time who responsible for the
Of hosties but that may be able to dodge the
question the plea that this whole outcry is 'Whig lie
suboin extract from speech delivered in the U. s.
Senate by John c. Calhoun the great champion Of DeOe
raey, and the right Of defence of Southern Slavery
What have good Democratic friends and Others say
to this unequyical testimony from of their
ber and one too whose opinions receive and entitled
greater weight than those Of any other belonging to
the partys What becomes Of the Insertion of Pres
dent Polk, reiterated by his party newspapers, that Mex
leo commenced the War This nonsensical jargon has
been fully exposed and reiued by distinguished members
of their party who heh-mnded and honorable
shield themselves against the indignation of the people,
by raising false issue Read what MIR Calhoun suys'
Mr. CALHOUN then rose and said am really
obliged to the gentleman from Tennessee for giving
me an opportunity TO repel great many insinua-
tions which have seen upon this very subject, and
the endeavor to FIX upon myself and friends the re-
sponsibility of which he has spoken. He has got
up aud made grave charge, that there was on this
side Of the chamber party combined together in
reference to presidential elections, who controlled
all measures in reference to that | have already
denied that any candidate for the presidency.
! appeal to every friend--to my friends upon this
floor, upon either side Of the chamber, and to every
one in the State of South Carolina, If my whole
course of conduct has not been this: that would
not accept the presidency unless il comes TO me by
the voice of the American people, and then only
from sense of duty, and taken as an obligation.
II is suspected that will not vote for the three
million bill and that because said, when spoke
on the subject, | waited for further Developments
Was there anything Mr. President, in that! Was
the Senator ignorant that the proposition had been
made in the other House, and probably would be
made here, TO stick the Wlmot provisol put i
10 him put it TO Senators on both sides, who re
present Southern portions Of the Uuion-phethei
heor any of them CiH rOte for the bill, fthat amend
ment be appended 1
But again He spoke Of the responsibility fo
the war as arising from the annexation Of Texas.
did take deed interest in that measure Of annexa
ton, and to act of my life do revert with NOR
entire satisfaction. Annexation at that time, &C
cording to my opinion, was question of pur
necessity. | might go into this matter lift wou
not occupy the time ofthe Senate [Cres Of "g
on."l Accordingly to my view, the time was no
propitio1s in one aspect There then was min
GRITTY in favor of annexation. II had scarcely
single advocate in this body, and but two or tire
in the other body and it appeared TO be yer
hopeless task TO attempt carrying through such a
important measure as that. When nominated fo
the office of Secretary Of State, put in the strong
est remonstrance which could draw against III
acceptance of il. l wrote 10 my friends here bu
before the remonsirance reached them, | was VI
animousy appointed. saw that the Administra
ton was weak, and that that very important mea
ure would be liable 10 be defeated, if an effort wei
not made. But circumstances made It inevitable
i ascertaned, from sources perfectly reliable, tina
at the Worlds Convention, the American deleg
ton suggested 10 The Abolitionists Of England III
now was the time TO act. II they wished TO aim
fatal bioo al SLAVERY, il must be at Texas; and.
order to do that England must obtain the ascen
ency in Texas. received normation--l will n