Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-03-04
Mr. CaIhoun,s Anti-Wnr speech.


ruary, as furnished by the Washington correspondent
Of the N. Y. Joarnal of Commerce. 1t presents
fair view Of the positions assumed by thc Southern
leader:
Mr.. CALHOUN said:
Never he bad the stage action. had the
country been placed IN so critical situation as 81 THIS
moment. We involved in onerous war, and in q
dangerous domestic question: both Of which deserved
deliberate consideration. The questions involved in this
subject many. He should con6ue himself chis fly
one. How shall the be best conducted TO bring
it satisfactory conclusion rather what is the mode
for obtaining the objects for which the made
There two ways-one to push and conquer Next
and the other to take defensive position in the terri
tory now IN our military occupation be was ia favor,
after much deliberations of choosing the latter mode-a
defensive position This would, in his opinion, give Us
every ojeecl for which the declared il he rightly
conceived its Object He would say if be rightly UNDER
stood IT, for to this day, clear TO him what was
the object Of the From the Presidents Message he
led believe that the objects theefod repel
invasion 10 secure the Rio Grsnde boundary and
u force the payment Of the claims Of citizens Both
the Executive and Legislative branches Of the Government
assumed that the Rio Grsnde rghful boundary.
Being in the the President alleged il pressed
with view the adjustment of claims, well for the
other otjecs.-which he approved Of because. when
In all su ects in dispute should be prosecuted TO
adjustment Two objects already. We had rePeled
the invasion by two brilliant victories; had secured
boundary by taking possession Of line along the
Their should take defensive line, embracing all this
Tertiary, he could undertake say without further
information. We should by oil means, avoid the appear
of taking possession of any part Of the territory
resulting from conquest The only design ought to be to
take line that would from invasion, and give
ample indemnity for the expenses Of the war,-
but for the claims Of citizens.
! He held that ought to be just and liberal to
Mexico not only a nelghbor and sister republic and
emuous Of copying institutions. but because
nOllcv not IN we her. A w
seriously connected with Her cspablity TO
sustain herself necessary strength
and prosperity. He not prepared TO cay what II
ought be taken; il should be, in a military point of
view, emineny coercive; and it should be that would
ultimately be taken the boundary between the two
countries, and that could be defended in econom
cal manner.
He would, however, suggest lne which, it appear
ed tn him. would all these considerations. He pro-
posed line, beginning at the mouth Of the Rio Grande
and running up 10 the Passo del Nore, and extending
along the southern boundary of New Mexico to the
Gulf Of California. This cencded with the views Of the
Chairman Of the Committee Foreign Affairs even in
case Of a continuance Of a compulsory line. This line
easily be defended by post the mouth of the
Rio Grande, another Camsrgo and another at Pssso
del Norte. -Four regiments military informed
him. would be ample for the protection of this line. The
country between the Passo del Norte and the Gulf Of
California requires defence. II in the hands Of
Indians few vessels in the Gulf Of California, post
with regiment would be adequate to the protection of
that end Of the line.
This territory was sparseIy settled. That was an ad
vantage. We wanted for expanding population,
TO be eighty Millions uninhabiled county. This terri
tory of value to MeIico-it source Of annoy
ance 10 her-s population stationary and only
one hundred thousand. The Mexicans could
protect from The Indians This line had the advantage
that il would secure permanent peace with Mexico.
Our rowing population would spread this territory
II made provision for increasing population
they would encroach upon Mexico, and involve US in
anotha o,ld he tha
but subject to negoation, whenever Mexico should be
ready to enter into treaty and should give her be
raj compensation for any territory coded to US.
He would take possession Of the principal ports Of
Mexico. and establish Custom Houses, and collect mode
rate rate Of duy.-say per cent He had consulted
well informed persons the and found that
and a half millions Of dollars would be the expense Of
their possession, which might be collected from the
commerce Of these ports with great bens; to Mexico, TO
and the world II may be- he said. that Mexico would
hold out He thought not. II would be turning point
in her policy. Now, every strained TO oppose
u.s. But soon this course was adopted she would
that her institutions and national independence
safe. and she would soon make peace.
What were the objections to continuing offensive
war! The vast expense; the uncertainty of the
hazard Of national reputation. To conquer peace
prolOng the 1t took parties make peace.
The defensive course he proposed would gain every object
of the war-every object that could be gained by what
was called vigorous war;" Il would in the
possession Of the boundary commended for and give
every desirable security for the indemnes due to our citi
yes.
} Suppose could march TO the city Of Mexico,
and there dictate peace-woud il be worth the cost Ii
would cost thirty millions Of dollars and the lives of f.
teen thousand Of our countrymen. Would any say
that the whole country of California and New Mexico
worth the sacrifice This supposed that succeed
ell in the campaign. Success would give s than
we already have-Possession of a boundary and ample
indemnity.
But this only the shell of the question: rugged
and often barren country full of ruinous defles be
overcome.
First. were to take possession of Vera Cruz-the
home of the yellow everthe most fatal climate the
EARTH The fever prevails there eight months in the year
BY the middle Of March, the plae will be fatal to
troops We may have force sufficient take Vera Cruz
but shall be able to send army thence the city
Mexico II not we must have third campaign for the
ohct Before that Mexico would armed and
prepared. We shall have, in the meantime, a
guerilla war. Let tell you that, by the next cam
paign, the spirit of volunteering will be over. You
must hundred thousand for the campaign
IL tho men can be got, how you get the money.
Your Treasury Notes will be exhausted. You Dor
money, and impose internal The States were
many of them. burdened with debt and taxation already
Congress to direct taxation. But again, the
country does not tremendously sustain the A
portion of the peopIe-half of whole population
believed the to be avoidabe and would sustain it
with zeal.
But deeper question arose. To whose benefit should
the territorial acquisitions enue7 If the Northern States
speedily brought unanimous purpose, what
be the feelings of the Slavehoding States i-who that
they to be entirely excluded. While this radical
difference existed, would there be unanimy and zeal in
prosecuting the wsri
But, if this difficulty surmounted, what certainty
was there that should succeed in conqueng Mexico
lin bringing the to close We should have the
of that France has in Algeria. and the Rus
slams in Circassa How many campaigns have the French
al We shouI ha ohI;gad m IN