The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-15
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence ofthe Boston Atlas.
WAsHINGroN, Jan. 4th, 1913.
MIR CALHOUN'S SPEECI--A
DEFENSIVE LINE.

""'y SioWucuJoul BreNl NUMBERS OF lnUleS aud
gentlemen were on the floor of the SENATE
and crowds were also ut the outside of the
open doors, so great was the anxiety to hear
The speech ofthe distinguished Senator from
South Carolina upon the Mexican war.
was lucky IN obtaining good standing po-
slton on the floor of the Senate, and heard
the whole speech. took notes of some of
the strong points which / now proceed to
write out.
Mr. Calhoun commenced by saying that, in
his opinion, this war was unnecessary, and
might have easily been avoided. lie had OPP
posed it from the beginning, and he should
speak his sentiments with bodness and indie
pendence. lie said he wns for taking de-
tensive lne;that was the true policy; we could
only gain any real indemnify from unoccupi-
cd territory, but none mt all from occupied
territory; we must take land, bnt not McXi-
cans. The administration was for conquer
ing peace;-thnt was their policy. We had
levied armies, we had gained brilliant vcto-
ries, but we had gained no peace, we had
plunged deeper into difficulties. There was
u mistake somewhere. We had aimed AT in
demnity the wrong way. The administration
looked for peace and indemnify by n treaty.
We could by taking n defensive line, get it
without treaty. We had expended at least
S4O,0O0,000 and 1000 lives for nothing at'all.
! We had the power of indemnity and peace
in our own hands by taking a line from
the Pacific 10 the Pass del Norte, it could he
held by single regiment, and the interest of
the money already expended in the warwould
have borne the expense.
| No change of policy was to be pursued by
the administration. The old policy is I'M
changed. Should we aid it with our support?
For one he would not aud could not. Already
bills are reported TO increase the army
10000. This would lead to vast increase
OF expenditure, aud how were we to bear up
under this vast accumulation of debt? What
was the state Of the money market? En-
charge with England is now against U.s.
Treasury notes were below par; they go into
the Sub-Treasuries and specie goes out
He had conversed with men well informed,
and he had no doubt that to continue the war
as was proposed, we should have TO vote
S40,000,000 more ofTreasury for which
at this moment not more than 90 cents on
dollar could he realised.
The President, in his Message, admits all
that lie (Mr Calhoun) commended for. He
acknowledged that if Ills policy does not pro-
ducc peace, we must as the last resort,
take the power in our own hands, and force
a treaty. How can it he forced but by
| standing army, and holding possession of the
country, which he, in another part Of his
message, disavows. He believed that the
more success we had in Mexico, the objects
disavowed 10y the President would come TO
pass, and the objects avowed would not be
accomplished. One party can make a war,
but it requires two TO make peace. lie had
no doubt that the suhjugation and final eX-
tinction of the Mexican nation was sure 10
follow the policy now pursued, though much
it may be denied. The President speaks of
forcing the MeXicans into nm admission Of
our demands, and forcing free institutions
upon the people This must be done by
military force, and he was yet TO learn how
fee and independent governments grow up
under military domination.
| The people of Mexico were not fit for free
government. The intelligence ofthat coun-
try was chiefly DonopoIised by the clergy,
and the property was held by the proprietors
of the rancheros. Why does not the Presi-
dent, instead of waiting for events, and talk
| ing about supporting new government,
sustain the existing government? Mr. Cal
houn said the great difficulty lay in the fact
| that II our administration should make n
treaty ofpeace, as soon as our forces were
withdrawn 10 within our own lines another
party would gain power, and disavow the
treaty, aud we would either have to again in
wade Mexico and get up new war, or con-
tent ourselves 10y holdingsour line specified in
the treaty. Why not then make ourselves
line, and hold it, without this delay and ex-
pense. If war was continued, the annihiIa-
ton of Mexican independence was inevitable.
Mr. Calhoun said, TO pursue the policy which
the administration seemed bound to follow,
would not only lead TO the entire subugation
of Mexico, but it would cause an expenditure
annually, equal to the value ofthe entire cotton
crop OF the country, sixty millions of dollars
This nation, he commended, could not survive
such an immense drain. If the President
does not know or believe this, then either the
| mr. ,Dr,
must be 'impeached. He held in as high es-
TEEN as any one the brilliant achievements of
our troops,and he thought that all our thanks
should he confined to the army; they had
done their duty bravely and well. We should
said MIR c., give some regard to the opinions
of the civilized world, which was opposed
to our course. We are looked upon as more
given to the war spirit than any nation on
earth. Yes, sir, believe that what we have
reputation for wisdom, Justice, and those
high qualities. for which we were respected
in the early history of our government
Mr. Calhoun asked, what are we to do with
the Mexicans after we have them annexed?
One half are Indians, not SO highly civilized
as our Cherokees, Creeks, or Choctaws.-
Yet we never thought of incorporating them
in our body polite. They cannot ningIe with
us nor would our people submit to be gov
erhed in Congress by Mexican Senators and
Representatives. Shall we hold them in
subsection by our armies, and the Mexican
States as conquered provinces, to he govern
ed by army officers and proconsuls? Is this
in accordance with the theory or practice of
our Government? For one, said MIR Calhoun
protest, earnestly protest, against the whole
thing
To incorporate the Mexican Republic with
this country, would end either i'm anarchy or