The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-05
THE GREAT SPEECH


HON. JOHN G. CALHOU n
MEXICAN WAR.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4. Is4s.
Senate.
The galleries of the Senate dense!y crowded at
an early hour by spectators
Mr., CAMERON presented the proceedings of the
meeting at Philadelphia.
Mr.. BREEsE introduced bill to create the Chloe OF
Surveyor General of Oregon, and to grant presumption
rights to actual settlers Read twice.
Mr. CAS- submitted q resolution calling the Secre.
tsry Of War for any dispatches received from COM
msnders of the army since the annual report Adopted
Several private bills and bills concerniog certain oo!-
lection districts, passed
At twenty minutes to one o'clock Mr.. Calhouns reso-
buttons we're taken up, on motion of Mr.. Sewer.
MIR CALHOUN rose and said In Offering these resolu-
tions Senator'S to your consideration have been 60
verned by the which induced to oppose
the wsrfrom the considerations which have
since guided In abiding to my opposition to the
war; do not intend to advert to the which -.
vsrned that OCCASION further than necessary to
explain my object on the present Iopposed the war
then, mot only because considered It unnecessary and
easily to be averted not oily because the President,
without authority ordered the United States troops to
enter disputed territory at that time occupied by the
Mexicans-not only because the declaration Of Con-
gress was unfounded in truthbut from higher oonside-
raons Of policy because oresaw that must lead to
great aud serious evils to the country and greatly
danger its free institutions The declared and re-
cognised as such, by the government when 1t too
late to avert It, then felt 1t to be my duty shape my
sour.e 80 as to prevent far possible the danger
xyki 49,,
my object In proposing the defensive line at the last
sessiensuch is my tjsct In Offering these resolu
lions; but shall express my opinion at all times bold
y and independently, such becomes a Senator who
has nothing to ask gain, and whose only object IL to
DO what is good for his country. When proposed in
the Senate Of the United States at the last session,
different line of policy, we had large portion Of
try in possession stood better position than
at any other time since to make hold It to bs
fair principle. that may receive uty In the
shape Of unoccupisd territory from woods, but not
from the cultivated homes of Mexcans In Offering at
the last session, peace resolutions did 1t because
thought 1t would be great saving In aud money;
but above ALL because 1t would from being
involved to the extent The President took
different view; he recommended vigorous prosecu.
ton Of the war to Congress- to conquer peace - that
IS to compel the Mexicans to make indemnity and
also to pay US the expenses Of the opposed it, be-
cause thought there great hazard if the war was
continued Congress thought differently 1t voted men
and money At Buena Vista were victorious Vera
Cruz fell Cerro Gordo conquered-br liant
Victories, that do great honor to army and finally
the gates Of the city Mexico fell PROSTATE to our
querng arms Well sir have the avowed objects Of the
war been effected Have conquered psaoet Have
we succeeded In eecng treaty! Are offered indem-
nity No. sir not single object avowed by the President
has been accomplished No. Mr. President, the object
Is farther of than Now sir ask what has caused
tho complete discom atrre Of our measures We
not charge the failure upon our troops. It Is not
charged to this but e. the fact that the plan Of the
campaign laid in aud found d on q mistake
We aimed at indemnity. II wanted 1t, we should
have enforced 1t when had the power Ia hands
We, however, endeavored to arrive at it by treaty
which, had the Mexcans refused to sign, would have
completely upset the arrangement. They did refuse,
and notwithstanding all our brilliant victories the war
Is still upon hands After outlay Of $4,000 600
off than am not looking at the con-
quest throw that aside Wehave lost 1000 5000 men,
besides, and all this for nothing at all Bot Mr. Pres
dent 1t Ii said that defensive line would have been as
costly the prosecution Of the The President and
the Secretary Of War have said it but FAY, to
my mind, It h utterly impossible The line which pro-
posed would have been covered with hostile Indians,
and would have required only q single regiment and .
OF 60 guarQ lte co36t tOr seven Texaa
remained unconquered by Mexico, and that too when
the Mexican resources and power were greater and
more powerful than they now; and any man
believe it would cost more to defend that line,
than to carry the present war; We now come, Mr..
President to the consideration Of another campaign.
Sir, the same measures proposed were at the
last session We told is not for conquest that is
explicitly dsavowsd 1t is not order to blot out the
nationality of Mexico for the President distinctly
he wishes to retain its nationality Now sir. we come
to the practicsl question Shall carry the war
have inquired carefully into the matter and must ray
there many existing against it, stronger
than at the LIST session. bill has been proposed au
thorsing the President to raise additional force Of
not less than twenty five thousand men, making in all
not less than seventy thousand troops for the next
psign, and at expense OF fully 100000 900. Now,
what Is the condition of the money market at pre-
sent? Last year. In consequence Of the unfortunate
famine In Europe we had large balance Of trade
In our favor, and money was plentiful We
encountered with q large drain both ways. We
have to send large sums both TO England and Mexico
II drafts sent here they cashed and In the pre-
sent state Of the market the money to England
treasury notes quoted below par, and stocks still
lower The end will be that the treasury notes will 60 In
to the subtreasury and specie be given outhus drain
ing both. Ths end will BIS great commercial crisis and
the failure of banks There Is danger of all this
which did not exist at the beginning Of the last session
Men you may get but money you cannot. ] have con.
versed with gentleman well versed in commercial mat
tiers, and he has given 1t his opinion that treasury
notes-and they nothing more lees than loane,
which must be repaid-would not bring more than 90
dollars for every lCo dollars which is rather more
think, than Ter cent. But, sir, these not the
only objections, formidable as they against the
do not the slightest chance of obtaining any
thing by IT, II should be successful in arms which
don't believe but II should, the avowed objects
would be defeated. But sir take the other side. The
moro victories gain, the greater will be difficulty