The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
Communicated.
nIr. CaIhoun's speech Plain Practical
View xpcr ence--Sci cnce-MysteI

lions OF policy in relation TO tariff OF slavery as lead
him into The ranks OF those who resist the vigorous pros
ecuon Of this war; thrust upon as II has been by our
malicious and boastful enemy We regret to hear
him say that this nation, so prosperous. and
powerful, will lack the means to carry on the war
that the money and the men Will ooh la r ms ,hs
pendency of the Oregon question: which made HIM SIDE
with those who refused sustain just claims on that
territory we fear that he is losing confidence IN has own
countrymen, at the same time that his imagination is ex
cited with exalted visions OF the lofty chyairy OF the
Mexican race -.
But he thinks ssthat there is mysterious connection
between the fate of this country and Mexico and that
her Independence and her respectaoty and her capa
bity of maintaining all these relations are almost as
sentia to us to Mexico" What does he mean BY this
phrase Why, all the history OF the past shows that
there is no such connection. While Mexico Rugged her
chains and bndly submitted to Spanish tyranny our ia
Tiers in their boyhood, bearded and conquered The
British lion. When Mexico at last reused from her
sumbers and shook oft her yoke cheered her on and
encouraged her to persevere in vndcang the true prn-
ciples of liberty-but in vain. While we have been
advancing with poentous growth to the giant size we
have reached, Mexico has shown herself unworthy
the boon of liberty by not guarding Alright, and has
dwindled into nsgnifcance. And what injury has her
folly. and vice. and degradation inflicted on nation
None under heaven! We have gone on, regardless OF
her as il she We're nonentityl Let us, then, throw
away all considerations OF an imaginary union oil aes and
destnes between the two nations and THINK, and speak,
and act in this matter becomes men who look TO the
lights OF science, experience, and common sense, 10
guide them.
shall obtain successful prosecution and termination
of the war, the question to be solved We have al
ready rolled back upon her the tide Of war and have
her territory The President of the United States, in
trusted by the constitution with this duty has used
the means which the provident care of Congress has
placed in his hands, to have carried our victorious
eagle across her rivers and mountains, and planted
standard on many OF her sronghoits. He has consulted
with his officers and laid his plans. AS those plans have
been developed they have received the unqualified praise
Of ifc me nf natin
interest on the progress OF the war II any fault has
been committed SO far il has been by those 'co harefa
cd to execute his orders Public opnion-hat great lever
of national action-s with him 1t against Next
co, and against all who "aid or comfort her.
But in estimating the loss OF men and the expense in mo-
ney in carrying on this Mr. Calhoun exaggeraes them
both 1t true that i'll health has hinned the ranks Of
brave volunteers. The fears OF their friends have
been realized on that point But whilst hundreds have
died been slain in battle the thousands have returned
home to their families TO recover their health Whether
this fact is is not strong argument IN favor OF the
employment of additional regular force which, by its
sricter discipline, will be preserved IN greater degree
sideraton Of Congress. We find that all military men
whose opinions, think, are entitled to weight,
agree in that opinion Such is our admiration OF the
valor and skill OF gallant volunteers that we shall
consider them the ready and irresistible legions OF
liberty whenever called by sudden emergency to her de-
fence But such movements are called for IN the war
which we now carrying on, can be better executed,
and at far less expense of life and treasure, by regular
troops.
What is defensive war; Is the system OF 'masterly
inactivity" recommended by Mr. Calhoun in the case OF
Oregon, and then reected-now again urged by him in
the of Mexico TO be again rejected by Congress
il is by the country? If understand terms Alright,
its adoption requires TO retire within own territory.
An offensive war has given California and New Mex
leo. change to defensive would surely restore
things to their former position. But if retain part
Of the conquered territory, thus far maintaining
offensive And is there anything in that term that
shock the sensblites of true patriot When the
war of Independence first opened the earliest defensive
that day the inrasion Of Canada Had Montgomery
not fallen, Burgoyne would never have invaded New
York 1t was strictly defensive movement
But as Mr. Calhoun is for retaining part of the spoils
the question is of expedency, not OF principle.
so, then s his defensive system utterly untenabe in our
opinion he Is mistaken in supposlng that five regiments
country from the Rio Grande the Pacific terrific
ry he himself says partly occupied by savages who
as inmical to they to Mexico and at all other
se na TO v M
plan, ample and admirable base for her line OF opera
tons We give up to her territory capable OF furnish
The supplies which ourposon the Rio Grande would
require, must be sent up that river whilst its right
bank would be in the military occupation OF our enemy
Could that be done except by dislodgg that enemy from
the field, in addition to the garrsons'
But besides that, the enemy having the selection OF the
point OF attack, in order to counterac him. you must be
ready at all assaabe points, TO and defeat him
by superior force. All the horrors of guerilla war
carried on by people who have risen, in Mr. Cahouns
imagination to such large proportions, must be endured
Tor long successive years. at expense
subject to frequent disasters; but above ALL accompanied
by the blasting consciousness OF deserved disgrace
The President ought to have his hands unshack
led-armed with the necessary amount OF men and
means--ready to strike when and where he thinks
best-to carry on defensive war, if, with the bes
information he thinks advisable to attain the objects
OF the war, and secure honorable peace Why
then, with insufficient information dictate to him. II
he thinks best to wage offensive in all its force
and he will have the best information for guiding hi.
operations he will wage that species of war WHY
them tie up his hands, and deny him the means of action
This taking the conduct of war out of the hands o.
the waging power, and subiectng the movements oil
the army to distant board of advice, has almost always
proved fatal to its As Colonel Benton showed
Prince Eugene, of Savoy, compelled to disregard the
letters of instructions from the Aulic Council LORD
CORVALLIS complained that the board of war in Eng.
land had so trammelied his movements, that he a
last caught and capitulatei at Yorktown. And we well
know that General Washington had frequently reInon.
strate against the inerposon of Congress with his mil
itary movements.
Again, why should we tell Mexico where we mean tc
defend certain posts thus deprving the offensive war
all its moral force 10 operate upon the fears of the enemy
and enable that same enemy to concentrate all his
sources upon given point in Gordon OF occupation
Suppose two fighting. Would il be considered very
in to tell his adversary that he would not strk,
him on the right cheek but intended to hit away the
left and thus enable the other party put forth all his
strength and skill defending his only vulnerable feature
Mr. Jefferson characterized contest in which
each tried which should do the other the harm Blu
Mr. Calhoun reverses the definition, and makes part,
abstain from doing harm, while the other is pre-
pared to do all the harm he with all his means
Now predict that looking to the lessons OF our owl
national experience, and consulting the oracles of militia
ry science and OF plain common senseand, above all
relying as did General Jackson upon THE PEOPLE
the President will 60 forward The discharge OF hi
dufi Nort he lack syrrt GA l.