Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-03-04

the soldiers well drilled, let them become Injured
to service, so that when blow is to be struck, it
may be such blow as would have the desired
effect. What object is intended to be effected
by this war, have yet to learn but if it is only
to obtain peace honorable to both countries,
think that can be obtained as we'll with our
army in our own country, until we can have time
to have them properly organized and drilled, and
have some plan of operation. Sir, it appears
that this war is not to be short one; it will be
protracted war; and why peril the lives of our
men, why sacrafce our gallant little army by o.
bliging them to fight against superior force as to
numbers, in strongly fortified towns! | am not for
any such hair-breadth escapes as the battle Of
Monterey where General Taylor tells you that it
was wonderful that he should have succeeded -
and consider it almost miracle that he did sue
coed against such odds And what would have
been the consequence if he had not succeeded!
Who would or ought to have borne the blame Gen.
Taylor, or the Administration | believe he tells
you that it was not his plan but that he did it to
sustain the administration. If Vera Cruz is to be
occupied in order to march to the city of Mexico,
YOU must have at least so, 600 men No prudent
General would undertake to conquer the city of
Mexico without at least $4,000 efficient men,
Well, sir, will you collect that number of newly
levied forces, and send them into Tampico, or
any other place in the Mexican territory, to be
drilled and disciplined? For they must be disci-
plined before they will become efficient to con-
tend with the black vomt, or the yellow fever
Or do You think that men are soldiers as soon as
they enlist? A different opinion once prevailed
Sir it will be a new business to the men, and also
new to the officer 1t requires some little time to
al to ba Ir,nll 70
learn the duty of soldier. Sir, the Senator from
Michigan yesterday avowed the opinion that it
was unconstitutional for Congress to direct the
President as to the course which he should pursue
in the prosecution of the war; that the only duty
of Congress was to provide him the means he
asked for in the way that he should desire it. and
he alone had the right to direct the operations of
the army in the way he thought proper. differ
from the Senator in this opinion. | think that it
is clearly duty to deliberate upon the subject
and to propose such measures as we may deem
advisable. If we believe those who have charge
of the war are going wrong it is our duty to pro-
pose better plan. Sir, have we not right to
think upon this awful subject of war! Have we
nothing to do but to vote all the men and money
that the President tells us he wants, without in
quirng into the matter because that war exists,
Or as the Senator from Michigan said, that it was
all summed up in one short word, and that word
} was war; and that we had no constitutional right
to do anything, but to do all that the President
may require, and make him responsible, thereby
clearing ourselves of all the responsibility? Is
that all that is expected of us by those who sent
6 us here! / differ from the honorable Senator in
this opinion. l. for one, am willing to be held
responsible for all of my votes in this body, on all
subjects
The honorable Senator from New York. the
other day, had stated that we were III possession Of
twothirds of the Mexican territory, and one-tenth
of her population. What are we to do with this
territory! Are we to annex it to this Union, and
oblige that population to send delegates to this
Senate, and to be subject to our laws by compul-
sion! One republic compelling another to adopt
her form of government; Is that agreeable to our
free principlesl Or shall we drive them out OF
the territory that we have conquered, or annihi-
late them! What can be done with the territory
5 under our form of government? | admit sir, tol
the sake of argument, that the people residing in
= that territory were willing to come into our I'm.
ion and we should make treaty with Mexico
to that effect it comes in as Texas was brought
into the Union, or by trepty. Sir, could treaty
of that kind be ratified by this Senate, or could
it now be brought into this Union by resolutions
Would dispute arise, whether it should be free
or slave territory! No, sir; the time has gone
by for admitting any more slave territory into
this Union. 1t cannot lie done. If admitted, i
would be bone of contention that would divide
the Union.
: Sir think VIC are bad condition, We arc
in a war with Mexico; we are in possession OF (
large portion of her territory How are we tc
+ extricate ourselves from this war, which has al
} ready cost us so much blood and treasure, ant
y bids fair to cost us great deal more! How Ions
II this war is to continue, God only knows. Sir,
{ think, by withdrawing the army and, if neces
= sary, by reinforcing it; and then, when Mexico
: sees that we have force that would look down
: all opposition, she would be willing to treat fol
1t peace | think we can obtain treaty mucl
d sooner in this way, and with less cost of BLOOD
Il and treasure than attempting to put forward al
y inexperienced army into their unhealthy country
> Sir, if we are to hold on to this territory tina
= our army now has possession of, it will take
: large army to garrison so long line of frontier
" and keep the communication open with our owl
y country say, sir, it will take large army t.
y do this, which will be in addition to the army thu
. is to march to the city of Mexico to "conque
. peace" as the President tells us we must do
&c And, sir, if we must fight before Mexico vii
d treat am disposed to strike at the head, and lie
n the limbs go. ] hope anything that have san
1t will not be considered as rendering aid to thu
enemy, for that is not my desire. | look to on
y own comfort
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,e SPEECH of Mr.. CALHOUN,