The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-03-25
Speech of Mr.. Calhoun.

The great tug in the U. S. Senate, since the
passage of the Mexican Treaty, has been with re-
ference to the Ten Regiment bill By common
consent, the discussion of this bill seems to be-
taken the opportunity for each Senator deliver
ing himself, in full, upon the Mexican war and
matters thereunto appertaining. On the 10Th inst,
upon this bill being taken up in the Senate, Mr..
Calhoun made speech, of which the following is
brief synopsis:
Mr. Calhoun said that, after careful examina-
ton he had not been able to discover an argument
show the necessity of the passage of the bill at
this time. The argument had been used by the
friends of the bill, that its passage was necessary
to induce the ratification of the treaty by Mexico.
If Mexico were strong, this might be a sufficient
argument in favor of the Immediate passage OF the
BILL But such is not the Scarcely the yes
tige of government remains.
The danger is not that Mexico will resist the
ratification of the treaty, but that the present Co
vernment will to exist before it has time to
act. But there is another consideration which is
sufficient to render the passage unnecessary as
measure of intimidation. If Mexico should not
ratify the treaty, could fall back on a line and
maintain Titus avoiding the necessity OF paying
the S20,O00,0 900 which rumor says we are to pay
for the territory ceded The effect on the country
would be- to induce the belief that great apprehen-
sion is entertained that the treaty will not be ratl-
fled by Mexico. This act of bragadocia, too, it
carried into effect, would cost the Government at
least 50 100000
Mr. Calhoun was opposed to the bill, under all
circumstances, and would have voted against it
had the treaty not been made. The passage of the
bill would be in effect pledge to the country thai
will gorously prosecute this war. He was
opposed to giving this pledge, for which he
had stated Oh a former occasion. 1t would result
in the humiliation of Mexico, and render
ny either the holding of her territories provinces,
or her Incorporation into the United States. Nor
could the pledge be redeemed.
To suppose that if this treaty be not ratified by
Mexico, this war is to be renewed and prosecuted
with increased vgor, was dream which never
could be realized. The only course, if the treaty
We're not ratified, would be to fall back on line,
and maintain that line. But the vigorous prosecu-
ton of the is not the only object of this bill
1t was part of system of fnance-the establish
ment of system of taxation in Mexico-which
never could be carried out
The President had no authority to establish such
a system. II was not to be found in the Constltu-
ton, nor in the implied powers given by that insru
ment. There was express provision of the
Constitution, transferring all these implied powers
to Congress The President possessed no such
power, commander-in-chief, nor could he exer-
else any power in Mexico, which he could not
exercise in the United States. Otherwise there
would be no limit to his power, nor would there
be any remedy
His power as commandment chief was confined
to the command of the army and navy, and did
not extend to the establishment of such system
of finance as had been established in Mexico. 1t
was the United States, and not the President,
which had conquered Mexico; and to the United
States, through their representatives here, belonged
the right Of levyng taxes IN the enemys country.
He put in his solemn protest against the exercise
of this power by the Executive. And it became
this body, now that the question had come up, to
put upon the exercise of this power by the Execu'
tive, its strongest condemnation.
In what Mr.. c. had said he put himself above
all party and local considerations, and he trusted
that he had put himself right before the country on
this subject.