The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-02-18
THE WAR UNJUST /!
THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
SPEECH OF MR. CORWIN,
IN THE U. 5. SENATE ON THE 18th INST. ON
THE ssTHREE MILLION BILL
[speciaII, Rep0rled for the New York Tribune /

l. II
do not pretend to attempt the performance of
task futile and foolish as TO go over the whole
field of discussion which this subject embraces
1t has already been occupied by more vigIlant
and stronger hands than mine. All that | NAV
hope will be to gather here and there a sheaf or
two before the harvest be fully gathered. | rise
Mr.. President, and have solicited he attention of
the Senate only for the purpose of performing the
humble task OF presenting to the body and through
it, il 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, to say the least OF it, position not
desirable.
have been compelled, Mr.. President, from
conscientious convictions which have pressed
themselves upon my mind from the commence
ment OF the sesson-from the time | received
the Presidents 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 unite, but also from majority
| OF those gentlemen belonging to the same politi-
| cal party,-of which | suppose | may cali N.Y.
self member,-on this side of the House IT.
not remarkable, Mr.. President, at least it is not
a matter OF surprise to any one who has attended
to the various opinions which have been express
ed even in this Hall, that there should be radi-
cal difference of opinion resulting out of that va
riety OF character, and that diversity of modes of
thought and application of thought to the busl-
ness OF life, which, at least, in the state in which
we at present hnd'mankind, is almost natural
necessity. 1t must, however, have struck every
one, sir as very curious fact that the two SEN
ators on the other Side of the Hall, in looking at
the present aspect of public affairs should enter
tain such singularly opposite views The pro-
found and contemplative mind OF the Senator
from South Carolina (Mr Calhoun) in looking
abroad at the present condition of the Republic,
could see nothing all around him but darkness.
and doubt, and distrust, and fearful apprehension,
and mpenetrable gloom; while to the mind of
the Senator from Michigan (Mr. Cass) all was
bright, and calm, and placid sunshine, and pros
porous breeZes and smooth sea Now Mr.
President, it this diversity of opinion is found
to prevail in minds habituated and accustomed to
think earnestly and sincerely upon public affairs,
1t will present itself to every body as recurring
in him who is to determine between these two
conflicting opinions all the attention which 1t is
possible for the human mind 20 give the subject,
under the awful responsibility which rests upon
every man in determining upon question affect
ing so deeply the happiness and interests OF so
many millions of human beings.
Now, wish it were in INV power to entertain
those placid convictions which appear to have
settled on the mind of the Senator from Mchi-
gan, rather than have my mind disturbed as ii
has been in common with the Senator from South
Carolina, by visions and prospects OF evil-by
fearful apprehensions that every step we are now
taking may be the last which we shall be
permitted to take in career and in our history
as tree people; and | am the less inclined to
listen to this siren song the Senator from Mich-
| gan sings to his own soul in the present fearful
aspect OF public affairs, because, Mr.. President
have heard it before now Every one must
recolect the condition Of this country two or
three years ago, when that other question, which
was but the prelude and precursor to the one
which we are now Obliged to discuss, was before
| the Senate Of the United States, and anxiousIy
attracted the attention of the whole people of the
United Staes-the question of the Annexation of
the Republic OF Texas, but recently portion OF
| this very Mexico, with whom we are now at
war. We were told. then, sir, that Texas being
| an independent Republic, had right to dispose
| OF herself in whatever way and to whatever end
and purpose she pleased, and the parent Republic
OF Mexico having no cause to complain, would
utter no complaint at the disposition she was then
| about to make of herself. We were told that war
with Mexico would not-could not ensue, if that
step should be taken by the people OF the United
States We were told then, as we told now,
by the Senator from Michigan that all was calm
all was tranquil that as he said Yesterday the
sentinel might sleep securely on his tower-that
all would be peace, and that that step could in no
sense disturb the friendly relations existing be-
tween the Republic of Mexico and the Republic
OF the United States. We were asked not to an
| tcipate the evil which was to come lust as the
Senator from Michigan begged US to anticipate
not evils which might be in prospect before US
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" was
then the song with which the advocates of that
measure sought TO lull into tranquility, or into APP
athy, the excited feeling of the public mind in
this country.
And Mr. President, the day has come, as was
then predicted, and the evil predicted has come
| with it, We are here, sir, now, not as then at
| peace with all the world not now as then with
laws that brought into your treasury everything
| adequate to its wants-not now as then free from
| debt aud the apprehension OF debt and taxation,
its necessary consequence. But we are here
with treasury that is beggared-that lifts up its
| imploring hands to the monoposts and capitalists
| OF the cOuntry-that sends out its notes and
''promises to pay" into every mart and into every
markctin the world-begging for pittance from
| every hand to help to swell the amount now ne
cessary to extricate us from war-inevitabe as
| 1t now seems it was--irom that very act which
was adopted under such flattering promises two
| years ago Mr.. President, il is no purpos. OF
| mine 10 arraign the conduct OF the United States
| upon the OCCASION 1t is purpose of mine to
| treat the young and newly adopted sister-the
| State OF Iexas--as an alien or stranger in this
family OF Republics. ! allude to this only to
show how little reliance is to be placed upon
those favorable antcipatons in which gentlemen