Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-01-27
llnitcO 5tates Gonoress,
Mr. POlkS War Policy Repudiated by a
Leading LOcOlOco!l
SPEECH OF J0lg c. CALHOUN,
In The Senate ofhe Oaiiei States, jan. 1, l84t
nn0H his ReN0 -n il.f

Il
upon his ReSOu Tons.
Resolved, That to conquer Mexico and to hold
it either p ov.nce or u incorporate it in th.
Union, would be inconsistent with Jhe avOwed OBJ
lJect Ior which the war has been prosecuted; de-
parture from the settled policy ol tle Government;
IN conflict with its character ana genius; and in
the end suJyersiys Of our free an popular nslitu-
tions
Resolved, That no line Of policy in the further
prosecution OF the war should be- adopted which
may lead to consequences so disastrous.
Mr.. CALHOUN said:--in oif.ring Senators,
these resolutions for your consideration, have
been governed by The reason which induced me
10 oppose the war, and by the same consdera-
lions have been ever since guided. In alu-
ding 10 my opposition 10 the war, do not III
tend to notice the reasons which governed me
Oh that occasion, further than is necessary to
explain my motives upon The present oppo.
sed the war jhen, not only because | considered
II unnecessary aad that IL might have been eas-
y avoided, not only because thought the Pres.
Ildcnt had no authority, to order portion OF the
Territory III dispute and in possession of the
| McXicauS, to be occupied by our troops; moi on
y because believed the allegations upon which
it was sanctioned by Congress were untounded
lin truth, but from high considerations Of reason
and policy, because believed i. would lead to
great and serious evils 10 the country and great
! Iy endanger its free Institutions.
! But after the war was declared, and had re-
ceived the sanction Of The government, acqui-
esced in what could not prevent, aud which it
was impossible for me to arrest; and thea fell
it 10 be my duty TO limit my course SO rs 10 give
that direction 10 tie conduct Of the war us
would, as far as possible, prevent the evil aud
danger with which, in my opinion, it threatened
the country and lis institutions. For this pur-
pose, at the last session. suggested 10 the Son.
ate defensive line, aud for that purpose, now
Offer these resolutions. This, aud this only, ia
the motive which govern me. | am moved by
no personal nor party considerations. My OBJ
oct is neither to sustain the Executive nor TO
strengthen the opposition; but simply 10 dis
charge an important dGIy 10 the country. But
shall express my opinion upon all points with
boldneSs and Independence, such as becomes a
Senator who has nothing to ack, either from the
government or from the people; and whose on
y aim is TO diminish, 10 the ssnaiieS, possible a.
mount, the evils Incident to thswar. Bat, when
come to notice those points in which | diff.r
from the President, shall do it with all the de-
corum which is due 10 the Chief Magistrate of
The Union.
When suggested defensive line, at the last
session, this country hau in It's possession, lhro'
The means Of its arms, ample territory, and
STOOD in Il condition to force indemnify. Before
lhen, the successes Of our arms had gained all
the contiguous portions of Mexico, aud our ar
my has ever since held all that il is desirable 10
hold-thul portion whose population is sparse
and on that account the more desirable TO be
held. For hold il in reference TO This war u
fundamental principle, that when we receive
territorial indemnity it shall be unoccuPicd ter
rilory.
In offering defensive line, did it because
believed that in the first place it was the only
certain mode Of terminating the war successful
ly. ibid it also because believed that it would
be vasI saving Of the sacrifice Of human life;
but above ALL did so because | saw that any
other line Of policy would expose US to tremen-
douS evil, which these resolutions were intended
to guard against. The President took differ
ent view. lie recommended a vigorous prose.
cution of the war-not for conques--that was
dlsavowed-but for the purpose of conquering
peace; that is, to compel Mexico TO sign treaty
making sufficient cession of territory to Indem-
nifty this Government both for claims of its cili-
zens und for the expenses OF the war. Sir, II
opposed this policy. | opposed il among other
reasons, because believed that iflhe war should
be ever so successful, there was great hazard 10
US at least, that the object intended 10 be elfec-
ted by it would not be accomplished Congress
thought differently; ample provisions in men
anil r,onoU ,,arn ,rrontaI Inr carr,,iprr rn
war. The campaign has terminated. 1t has
been as successful as the Executive Of the coun-
try could possibly have calculated. Victory
after victory has followed in succession, without
a single reverse. Santa Anna was repelled and
defeated with all (orces-Vera Cruz and the |
Castle were carried with it, JaIopa, Perote, and
PaebIa fell and after Two great lrumphs of our
army, the gates of Mexico opened 10 US. Well,
sir, what has been accomplished What has
been done! Has the avowed object of the war
been attainedl Have W. conquered peace!-
Have we obtained u treaty! Have we Obtained
any indemnify! No, sir; not single object
contemplated has been effected, and what is
worse, our difficulties are greater now than they
were then, and the objects, lorsooth, more diff
cult 10 reach Than they wero before the cam
paign commenced.
Now Senators have asked what has caused
this complete discontinue Of the views of the
Executive for which men and money were gran
ted! 1t is not to be charged TO our troops; they
have done all that skill aud gallantry was capa.
Bile of efftcting Itmust be charged somewhere,
and where is it to be charged, but upon the fact
that the plan of the campaign was erroneous,
that the object pursued was mistake. We al
med At indemnify in wrong way. If we had
aimed dir.clly 10 it, We had The means 10 accoA.