The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-04-03
Judge Collamer's Speech ON the
100000 Bill.

~'A'
Judge Collamer's Speech on the
100000 Bill.
We transfer to our columns, from the Con-
gressional Globe, the following abstract ofthc
remarks of Judge Coamer the able aud
faithful Representative of the Second District
on the Bill granting 10 the President Three
Millions ofdoIars to aid his negotiations for
peace. The view taken by Judge Collamer
Of the war in its pro-slavery and aggressive
character, is forcible and Just, true to the o.
pinions ofhis constituents and the principles
and the humanity ofhis State. We only wish
D3he report of this speech We're more full,
"Mr COLLAMER next addressed the
committee. lie occupied his hour,and insist
ed in substance, that this is hill making APP
preparation of about thirty millions ofdollars,
part of which is for arrearages now ue,aud
for which all would be willing to votc but
MOTT Oft is for the support of the army in
Mexico, from July next until July, lS4S, in
regard to which there is much hesitation.
Every man should vote as he would
wish the majority to vote; otherwise,
he votes factiously. That II man is dissats-
fled with declaration ofwar, is not reason
alone, sufficient for voting against supplies
for its prosecution. He should I've convinced
that the withholding such supplies may he
done with safety TO the country. Hence, in
the last war,those who voted against supplies
voted factiousIy, because, had IL majority so
voted,:il would bave laid down the country
mt the feet of the enemy who were invading
it: for it must be remembered, that though
Congress can declare ,rar, yet cannot make
peace: as that can only be done by the, consent
Of both nations. In the present war, howev-
er, little or no danger TO this country is appre-
hended from its invaSion by Mexico.
rs 10 voting supplies to CARRY OH the war
in Mexico, that depends upon its character,
purpo SEES, and designs In The progress of
this session, these have become fully devel-
oped, aud are undsguised 1t is Il war of
conquest, by which must be understood war
IL acquire territory TO retain. 1t is now fully
avowed in the message, and by the mode Of
conducting the war, and by undisguised dec
larations in both Houses, that territory is to
he taken TO Keep, to respond the claims on
Mexico and the expenses of the war. This is
n claim without limit; for the longer the war,
and the more there is captured, the greater
The BILL and the more to be retained. This
is unlimited conquest. and Mexico so under
stands it; and hence they regard it as a war
for existence.
There should be appended to this declar-
alton that we neither seek the dsmember-
ment of Mexico, nor will we hold any other
territory, and will proceed in the course of
capture aud conquest only to weaken her for
this contest, aud to produce an honorable
peace. Such declaration made to Mexico,
to our people, and to the world is demanded
by every consideration we can give the sub
ject. The war then, ceases to be IL war of
conquest, and the MeXicans can no more be
told by their leaders that it is war for existence,
''l war of races" nor can they excite the SYM
pathy ofthe world as people driven to des-
peration, and battling for their homes, their
affairs, and their lives. 1t is due to our own
safety, as the conquest and retention of any
part ofMexico involves the question of what
is to be done with it. This raises the ques-
ton ofSlauery.
The South should not say the North has
improperly started this question. 1t had slept
quietly until within three years st,and who
then aroused it? The South, in this manner:
a few political abolitionists at the North have
insisted that the po,Oer Qfthe General Govern
ment should be exercised to produce the ab-
clifton of slavery in the slaveholding States,
but the great body of the people there have
ever holden that the subject must remain
with the States, and that the power of the
General Government should not and could
ject The issue was not tOhich ,Oay the pow
er should be used to strengthen or abolish it,
but the issue was, shall ii be used at all on the
subject. In this condition of things the South
invoked the exercise fthe power ofthe Gen
eral Government to enlarge and perpetuate
slavery by the annexation of Texas;and when
the treaty was made the Secretary of State,
ms the organ of the Government officially. in
his letters TO Mr. King,our Minister to France,
TO Mr. Pakenham, the British Minister, to our
Minister to Mexico, fully avowed to the world
that Texas was to be annexed to prevent the
abolition Of sIuDny there, and thereby 10 render
hmore permanent here. That treaty was re-
jected by the Senate; but these purposes, thus
fully and officially auo,Oed, were accomplished
by the joint resolutions, and hence came this
war. Now, the South having thus invoked
the exercise ofthe power ofthe General Gov
eminent on the subject of slavery, have gone
over to the political Aboitionists, and taken
part with them in the issue, and decided that
such power should be used, and it remains