The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1848-04-08
Mr.. calhoun on The Ten Regimona Dlll

Mr.. calhoun on the Ten Regimont DllIs
Mr.. Calhoun being entitled to the floor, said
that, after u careful examination, he had aot
been able to discover an argument to show the
necessity of the passage oil the bill ct thistime.
The argument had been used by the friends Of
the bill, that its passage was necessary 70 in.
Iuce the ratification Of the treaty by MEXICO.
1t Mexico were strong, this might be a sufi-
cient argument in favor Of the immediate pas
sage of the bill. But such is not the ease.
Scarcely the vestige Of a Governments rsRains.
The danger is not that Mexico will reoist the
ratification Of the treaty; but that the present
Government will cease TO exist before il has
time to act. But there is another considers
ton which issutficientto render its pasSage un-
necessary, as a measure Of intimidation. Ii
Mexico should not ratily the treaty, we could
fall back on a line and maintain it, thus avoid
ing the necessity of paying the $20,OO0,0O0
which rumor says we are to pay for the terrific
ny coded. The effect on the country would
be-, too, to induce the belief that great Spsfe-
hension is entertained that the treaty will not
be ratified by Mexico. This act Of bragadOoia,
too, if carried into effect, would cost the Gov
eminent at least S3,O00,000.
Mr.. Calhoun was opposed to the bill uRder
all circumstances, and would have voted
against il had the treaty not been made. The
passage Of the bill would be in effect q pledge
to the country that we will vigorously prosecute
this war. He was opposed to giving this pledge,
for reasons which he had stated on 4 former
occasion. 1t would result in the annihilation
Of Moxico, and render necessary either the.
holding of her territories as provinces, or its ias
corporation into the United States. Nor could
the pledge be redeemed.
To suppose that, if this treaty be not ratified
by Mexico, this war is to be renewed and pro-
secuted with increased vigor, was a dresm
which never could be realized. The only.
course, if the treaty were not ratified, would
be tn fall back on aline, and maintain that line.
But the vigorous prosecution Of the war is not
the only object of the bill. It was part Of =
system of fnance-the establishment Of a sye-i
tenn Of taxation in Mexico-which never could
be carried out.
The President had no authority to establish
such a system, 1t was not to be found in the
Constitution, nor in the implied powers givenby
that instrument. There was On express pro-
vision Of the Constitution, transferring all
these implied powers to Congress. The Pres
ident possessed no sueR power, as commanders
in-chief, nor would he exercise any power in
Mexico which he would not exercise in The
United States. Otherwise there would be no
limit TO his power, nor would there be any Fsm-
edy.
His power as commander-ln-chiet was CON
fined to the command of the army and nayyt
and did not extend TO the establishment q
such a system Of Finance as had been ostabllsh-
; edi Mexico. 1t was the United States, and
not the President, which had conquered Mex.
leo. and to the United States. through theis
representatives here, belonged the right d
Lowing taxes in the enemy's country. Hepul
in his solemn protest against the exercise o.
this power BY the Executive. And il became
this body; now that the question hrd come Up
to put upon the exercise oi this power BY shs
Executive, it's strongest condemnation.
In what he had said, he put himself aboye
all party and local considerations, and he srus-
, ted that he had put himself right before the
country ON this subject.