Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-02-05
MR.. CALHOUN'S SPEECH.

your consideration, l have been governed
by the same reasons which induce me to
oppose the war-from the same considera-
tons which have ever since guided me. In
! abiding to my opposition to the war, do
not intend to advert to the reasons which
governed me on that occasion, further than
is necessary to explain my object on the
present. opposed the war then not only
because | considered it unnecessary, and
easily to be averted-but not only because
the President without authority, ordered
the United States troops to enter disputed
territory, at that time occupied by the Mex.
icans-not only because the declaration of
Congress was unfounded in truth-but
| from higher considerations of policy; be.
cause | foresaw that it must lead to great
and serious evils to the country and greatly
endanger its free institutions. The war
was declared, and recognized as such by
the government, when it was too late to
avert it. then felt it to be my duty TO
shape my course SO as 10 prevent, as far as
possible the danger which was threatening
our free Institutions. Such was my object
in proposing the defensive line, at the last
session-such is my object in now Offering
these resolutions; but l shall express my
opinion at all times. boldly and independent
~, such as becomes tenor who has moth.
ing to ask or gain, and whose only object
is 10 do what is good for his country. When
| proposed, in the Senate Of the United
States. at the las, session, different line
of policy, we had large portion of the
country in our possession; we stood in a
better position than at any other time since,
to make it; for hold it to be fair princi
pie. that we may receive indemnify, in the
shape of unoccupied territory from woods,
but not from the cultivated homes of Mex
leans. In offering, at the last session, peace
resolutions, did il because l thought it
would be great saving in men and money;
but above all because | saw it would save
us from being involved to the extent we
now are.
The President took a different view, he
recommended a vigorous prosecution of
the war to Congress. to conquer peace;"
that is to compel the Mexicans to make us
indemnity and also to pay us the expenses
of the war. opposed it. because l thought
there was great hazard ifthe war was con-
,inued. Congress thought differently: it
voted men and money. At Buena Vista
we were victorious; Vera Cruz fell, Cerro
Gordo was conquered-brilliant victories.
that do great honor to our army; and final
ly, the gates of the city of Mexico fell pros.
trate TO our conquering arms. Well, sir,
have the avowed objects of the war been
effected! Have we conquered peace?-
Have we succeeded in effecting treaty.
Are we offered indemnity? No, sir, not a
single object avowed by the President, has
been accomplished. No, Mr.. President the
object is further off than ever. Now sir,
ask what has caused the complete discom.
future of our measures? We cannot charge
the failure upon our troops. 1t is not char.
ged to this; but to the fact, that the plan OF
the campaign was laid in error. and foun.
ded on mistake We aimed at indemnity.
If we wanted it. we should have enforced
i, when we had the power in our hands,
We, however, endeavored TO arrive at it by
a treaty, which. had the Mexicans refused
to sign, would have completely upset the
arrangement. They did refuse and, not.
wilhstanding all our brilliant victories, the
war is still upon our hands. After an out.
lay of $4O,O00OOO, we are worse off than
ever. am not looking at the conquest
throw that aside. We have lost 1000 or
5000 men besides. and all this for nothing
at all. But. Mr.. President, it is said that a
defensive line would have been as costly as
the prosecution of the war. The Presiden,
and the Secretary of War have said it, blu,
| must say TO my mind il is utterly impos.
sible. The line which proposed, would
have been covered with hostile Indians
and would have required only single
regiment and ship of war to guard its
coast. For seven years Texas remained
unconquered by Mexico, and that, too, when
the Mexican resources and power were
greater and more powerful than they are
now; and can any man believe ii would cos
US more TO defend that line, than to carry
on the present war? We now come, Mr.
President to the consideration of another
campaign. Sir, the same measures are pre-
posed as were at the last session. We are
told it is not for conquest, that is explicitly
disavowed. 1t is not an order to blot on
the nationality of Mexico, for the Presiden
avows distinctly he wishes to retain its
nationality. Now, sir, we come to tn,
practical question: Shall we carry on the
war! | have inquired carefully into tn,
matter, ard / must say there are many
reasons now existing against il, stronger
than at the last session. A bill has beer
: proposed, authorizing the President to raist
an additional force of not less than twenty
five thousand men. making in all, not les
than seventy thousand troops for the mex
campaign, and at an expense of fully
S6O,OOO,OOO. Now. what is the condition
of the money market at present! Las
-. &c he q.