Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-01-14
WAsH1NGToN. Ian i. 1913

hour, was so densely crowded, that it was
found necessary to admit the audience on the
circular seats of the floor; indeed, every inch
of space, accessible 10, dazzled the eye of the
bchoder, with the display Of beauty, fashion,
intelligence, &c.
A most admirable and appropriate prayer
by the Rev. Henry Slicer, produced the first
pause i'll the hum and whisper of the dense
thFong. The proceedings were read, and sun
dry petitions, &c, of no general interest, were
presented and referred.
After some unimportant business, the spe-
cial order Of the day (being Mr. Calhoun's re-
soIution.) was taken up
Mr. Calhoun proceeded to speak in favor of
them. He declared the war to have been
commenced without just cause, and at the ar
bitrary will of the President; but he had given
his aid in defending the country and. having
done so, he felt bound to present the resolu-
tlons under consideration, TO define the true
policy (as he conceived,) of the country
He should speak freely of men and measures
In proposing tat last SESSION. the line policy,
he believed it the best means of saving blood
and money. The President had thought 9TH
erwlse, and tie war had been prosecuted
Our arms had been victorious: but what has
been accomplished? We are now no nearey
peace than when the campaign commenced.-
w no is to blame? Not the men engaged in
the battles. The fault lies in the origin OF
the war; With the loss of men and treasure,
we have nothing achieved but military glory
He declared the reports from the depart
ments, IN reference 10 the whole subject, az
taIlacious. The defence line would not have
consumed so much blood and treasure, and
have resulted in practical good.
There are many and powerful reasons, ad
ded 10 former objections, which urged him ia
oppose the war. It's expense not less than a
hundred and sixty millions Of dollars, if con-
hnued. Where are the resources of supply
Circumstances had rendered US temporarily
prosperOus--a reverse must come A great
commercial and financial crisis will probably
occur. Men you may get, but money, IN the
future, would be had to procure-he hal rea
son 10 believe, from good authority.
lie uescanted on the, idea of an honorable
peace and believed that the more successful
Ile wal should be prosecuted, the greater Ger.
talhly theFe was of accomplishing, what he
most feared, the entire overthrow of Mexico's
nationality, and The SOVEREIGNTY If the conn.
try transferred 10 US. This he .nrrobenlo1
ii the Presidents Recommendations should he
carried out The President speaks of Lo.p,
ing down factions, and these he (Mr. CaIhonp
supposed were TO be kept down by our mil;
tary forces. Where then the preservation o
its republican government, as spoken OF by til
President?
He passed in view the influences religion.
political, and miHtary-exercised over tn
people of Mexico and opposed, most empha
tical,y, the effort to establish uniform gov
eminent Tor Mexico, by our government
the Executive should fail in this, it is propc
sed to " hold on the occupation of territory,
and "enlorce terms" giving the President
language. Spend sixty millions of dollar.
sacrifice thousands of men, and then fail +
build up government, the reason for seizin
and holding territory will be increased En-
the war; and we can more surely secure il
demnlty,. Push on the war, and you not oni
defeat the idea of indemnity, and entail n;
tiona debt. 10 operate oppressively upon ev,
ry citizen Of this Union, for generations
come. ss
He did not doubt the sincerity .ofthose wb
favored the war Those engaged in il ha
woH laqre.a, h;.t he feared kooor alone wen