Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-03-01
Ieaa Of Hon. CALEB B. SMITH,
OF INDIANA,
. ba OF INDIANA,
o. The War and its Co.'S.
= r,vet II H. Hssse Of Representatives. Of G.e U.
States, February ls48.

10 OF INDIANA
o. shs War aid its Co.'S.
hs,wsI II Il. Hsy.e Of R>p,esrnta,io-s Of az< U.
States. Fe6ruary3. 1913.
Ne. CALEB B. SMITH, Of Indiana, be-
Ia entitled to the floor, on the question of
,.fringthe various parts ofthe Presidents
uS.saee to the several standing commit
~. addressed the House as follows.
Nj. SPEAKER: ] shall not consume any
.orfion ormy time in discussing the origin
II the war with Mexico. That question
has been very ably and thoroughly discus
ed. not only at this session, but during the
last Congress. The members Of this
House, and the country are in possession
of an the information necessary to enable
Them 10 form conclusions satisfactory 10
themselves. have only TO say, in regard
to this matter, that this House has decided
during the present session. upon a solemn
and deliberate vote by yeas and nays, that
the war with the Republic of Mexico, in
which we are now engaged, was ''unncccs-
.sayiiy and uHcOnstiiutionaI/y common
red By the President Of the Unit ed
Slater" had the good fortunc-and
deem it extreme good fortunc-to have the
opportunity OF recording my vote in favor
Of this sentence Of condemnation. In
giving that vote, my heart concurred with
my Judgment; and desire to say no more
'af this time. in regard to the origin Of the
war, than to express my concurrence with
the decision SO solemnly made by this
House. II is a decision which. i'm my de-
libcrate judgment, the country will sustain
and approve. Whatever may be the opin-
ions Of individuals who, influenced by par
tisan feelings. may be disposed to justify
NIL that the President has done or may do,
when party excitement shall have been
dissipated by time, and the impartial pen
ofhistory shall have recorded the facts. the
matured judgment Of the American people
will sanction that vote Of condemnation.
But desire at this time to speak more
particularly in reference to questions of
more practical utiiny-9uestions which
concern the future rather than The past.
However this war may have commenced.
on whomsocver shall rest the responsible
ity of its origin; we are in the midst Of
II; its evils are now pressing upon us, par
alyzing the energies OF the country, dry
ing up its resources, and wasting its best
blood. 1t becomes, US, the representa-
Gvcs Of the American people, sent here to
deliberate upon questions affecting their
interests, calmly and dispassionately to
deliberate, and consider whether some
means may not be devised, by which this
war may be terminated, and its calamitous
consequences arrested.
The financial affairs Of the country are
at oil times interesting, and demand our
attention. They become doubly SO in
time Of war. when our expenditures are
greatly increased without any correspon-
ding increase Of revenue Gentlemen on
the other side OF the House sometimes
charge those who oppose the Administra-
ton with being in favor of the accumula.
ton of national deb: II there arc any
who desire the increase Of our public deb,
they are likely to be gratified to the fullest
extent Of their wishes. shall take care
to show that such a charge can have no
application to me. | regard the accumu-
lation of national debt as an evil of the
most serious magnitude. and one which
every consideration Of duty and patriot
ism requires US as far as possible to avert
The effect of the Mexican war upon oul
financial condition, and the rapid augmcn.
tation of our public debt which it is likely
to produce, have not. in my opinion. re
ceived the attention their Importance mcr
its. We have now upon our tables bill
which proposes TO add eighteen and a hal
millions of dollars to our public debt. and
which the honorable Chairman of the Com.
miftee of WAYS and Means has given lis
notice he intends to call up in few days
The amount of the public debt at the com
menccmcnt Of the present session of Con
gress, as we were informed by the Presi.
dent and the Secretary Of the Treasury
was $45.659. 6594O. To what amount is
it to be incrcased! The President has
already recommended loans to the amount
Of thirty mine millions, viz. eighteen and
a half millions for the residue of the pres
ent fsc al year. and twenty and halfmil
lions for the next year. This additional
amount Of loans we are told will be neces
sary TO prosecute the war until the close
of the next fiscal year. ending on the 3OtI
June. 1919 Thus we have in prospective
OH the 3Oth June. i849. according to the
estimates ofthe President and his Cabinet
public debt amounting 10 the sum o.
S84.659.659.4 This looks like an a.
snount Of debt which should cause the
people 10 reflect. even if confidence could
be placed in the estimates Of the Execu-
tive departments that it would be no more
But an examination Of these estimates
Inus' SATISFY every one who Will examine
them that they are wide Of the mark
Ever since the commencement Of the war
the country has been deceived bv false
cstimates-false estimates Of the amount
OF loans necessary. false stimateS of the
receipts Of the Government, and false est
mates Of its expenditures. The officia
reports now before us prove the estim ate
heretofore made to be false. how. then. car
those now presented comm and our conf
dence! At the commencement of the las
session Of Congress, the President. in hi.
annual message speaking ofthe loan ne.
cessary tor the prosecution Of the war
said:
"lf the war should be continued until the 3O,f
o. June. lSls. being the end Of the next isca
year. Il 10 estimated that an additional loan o
twenty three millions ofiOlIars will be required
This es innate j. made upon tine assumption tina
will be necessary to retain constantly in til,
Treasury four millions Of dollars to guard again $