The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-02-29
SPEECH OF
MIR. COllamer, of Vermont,
ON THE MEXICAN WAR.
1CONCLUDED.1

terest OF so many has been enlisted, and so much
reliance may be placed on the bad passions which
may be addressed, and the decisions which NAV
be successfully practiced upon the people that the
political masquerade need be sustained no longer
When we consider all the elements which enter
into the causes to continue this war; and to pros
ecute and continue the career Of Unlimited con-
quest, it is indeed alarming. 1t is said to the
community, it is easier to 60 on than to 90 back.
Before the military officers, those who hope to
he SUCH dance vice-rovalities for them in Mexico.
in the govonorshps and territorial offices there.
by us, to be established, in civil promotion, at
home; to the Executive, the unlimited extension
of its patronage, power and future renown; TO the
SpecUlatoT rich government contracts. to the mon
ey man and stockjobber the unlimited extension.
sale and shaving of public stocks and public Sc
curities; TO the ship owners, wealth and employ
ment in the transportation of troops and NUM-
tons of war by which they have already fattened:
to the restless, adventure and to the malicious and
contemplate the constant qualification of their in
science by abusing men and calling them scoun-
drels and traitors to their country;-meanwhile
the quiet honest citizen is to be kept satisfied and
gratiiied with the deIsioi Of indemnity elated with
the spendor Of military victories, and intoxicated
with the glitter eclat, and shout of military glory
| Gentlemen holding positions in that august BODY
in the other end of this capital, address large pop
ular assemblies in spiritstirring eloquence goad-
ing them on to the career of unlimited acquisi-
| ton. by military conquests. Indeed the mask of
disguise has become too transparent to be retain
ed; and the chairman of the Committee of For
| eign Relations in the Senate holding that posi-
| ton of intimacy and confidence with the EXecu-
tive, has in the most unqualified terms avowed it
in this place in the Senate, as the wclscttled prin-
cpe of American republicansm, 10 take BIZ force of
anus 'hatecer territory they desire aLich they can
not obtain BIZ negotiations This declaration start
limo i iS bnf 1roranipnr +lo o,J
" avowing the principle which has, in fact drec-
ted the whole affair with Mexico.
1t can hardly be expected that I should en-
ter INTO deliberate argument to refute a doc
trinc so monstrous, and unworthy even Of the
most barbarous age; and yet | have heard no
rcprobatiou Of ii. l call on all who have any
respect for the character ofour fathers, who in
their Declaration Of Independence paid ''re-
spect to the opinions Of mankind" in the decla-
ration of their purposes, and called on God to
prosper The right call upon the Executive,
and those who have thus far sustained it, (who
have thus far shown some respect to the opin-
ion of mankind BY Disgusting so long the pur-
pose Of conquest)-to utterly disavow such
sentiment, and to abandon their project of
conquest, so ruinous and disgraceful. ! call
on all honest men, Of all sccts. and who have
within them any respect for truth and justice,
or the love or fear of God, its source and en-
| bOdiment, to wipe the foul stain of such a SEN
timent from the character of this country, and
save Us from pollution.
Iwould speak with GOODNESS on every topic
Of discussion in this House; but when have
seen q train of events, all tending to one result
long pursued and have seen, step by step, the
public mind led on and prepared for it, ard
then at last have witnessed the announcement
| of so shocking and monstrous principle, l
cannot disguise my adherence and indigna-
ton.
(IIcre Mr.. MCKAY proposed to explain,
and said the member of the Senate, alluded to
had since explained himself, and held only
that forcible possession could be taken of the
territory 10 do which was a claim of right.)
| have not seen that explanation; speak OF
what appeared in the official Senate report,
but do not now perceive that, if the expla-
nation Is what he gentleman states, it amounts
to much; as we have but to pretend some
claim to any country, and proceed to conquer
it But, really, what claim have we toMexi-
co, or any part OF it, which we are proceeding
to conquer?
will now proceed TO state in as summary
and distinct manner as the remainder of my
hour will allow, my views and objections TO &C
QUESTION By conquest. Let me be here under
stood, that in the remarks Inow make | am in
no way speaking of, or Directing to, the extern
sion Of territories by just, fair and honorable
means. When the opportunity of a peaceable
purchase presents, 1t then becomes a mere
| question of expediency. When, from an ad-
mratlon OF our character and institutions. and
an honest desire to participate in their bl IS
lngs, a nelgllboring country, of its own accord,
should solicit a union with our national family.
1t might present a strong claim on our magma
nimity TO admit it. My present purpose is to
state my objection to extension of our coun-
try by force of arms, by conquest
My first objection is, that it is a gross viola
ton of the fundamental principle of our Gov
eminent. We have declared TO the world
that every people have right to the govern
ment of their own choice, and we have erected
our Government on that principle. When we
proceed by force TO take any inhabited coun-
try, and hold it in possession, we compel those
people TO submit 10 government which is not
of their choice; and we take into our country
and Government people unacquainted with
and unfriendly to our institutions, and show TO
the world that our conduct is utterly inconsis-
tant with our professions.
My next objection is, that by conquering
Mexico, or taking entire possession of the
country 'tnu ulNeIuHS lHe TeNeilue IIOIll, anu
destroying, the Government, we shall be CON-
PEELED, for avery long time, to sustain that pos
session by a large standing army, at great cost;
that such school of service Will prepare the
men who have SO long exercised military rule
over that people to be, like the Roman legions
or the Turkish Janizaries-ft and dangerous
instruments to set up military power at home.
Any Government set up in Mexico, under the
protection of our army will of course fall
whenever the army is removed.
My next objection to proceeding in this ca
reer of conquering Mexico is, that the effort
has already incurred debt of sixty millions,
which will exceed hundreh millions in a year
and 90 on accommodating: and this debt is a lien
and mortgage on this country. and on every
farm, and on the industry and fruits of indus
try, of every man in this country, which,
though now deferred, must be felt and en-
dured for succession of generations.
i. kofN