Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-07


Adams E1press,) contains very full teesrsPhic
report ~ columns) of Mr.. Calhoun's speech.
We have read i, with great interest and attention;
bu, we are compelled 10 acknowledge iha' MS
views have not al all shaken our firm conV'cton,
that The best plan 10 secure an early and sallsiac'
tory peace, and al the same lime 10 AVOID me
Standardization Of Mexico is 10 hold The ad-
vantages we now possess, and send inlo Inc
country force, powerful enough to ex'ort from
the fears of Mexico treaty that shall be honor-
able and satisfactory MIR. c. again proposes 10
Withdraw our troops 10 line, embracing terrific
ry enough for indemnify, which we are to hold as
defensive line. We shall moi now reilerate our
objections 10 the fatal character OF this PROPOSE
lion. 1t would lead to an interminable border
warfare, and would tend TO greater expenditure
of blood and treasure than the policy recommended
by the Administration. This opinion OF our own
is the more strengthened by the emphatic decia-
ralions oil the most enlightened officers oil the
army. The views Of some of them we have AREA
y presented TO our readers in the form OF letters
and, from what we hear we doubt moi that all
The officers with Gen. Scott Gnciuding The Gene
raj hinselO entertain The same opinion On
matter of This kind, their opinion should nave
great weight-and we are satisfied that puoiic
sentiment accords with their views.
While we regret that Mr.. Calhoun has reiera-
ted his devotion 10 defensive line, we are pleas
ed TO see thai he is in favor OF territorial ndemni-
ty. He but reflects The public sentiment OF this
country, when he emphaicaly declares that no
peace can be made with Mexico without an &C.
QUESTION of territory. The Wings who anxious
ly watched the development Of his position can
find precious little "aid aud comfort" from him on
this, their les, question. In The Herald's iele-
graphic sketch, Mr.. c. is made 10 speak as fol-
lows:
sin saving that there is no alternative between
This defensive line of policy and that OF the Pre-
sident say So because public opinion is made
up and there can be no peace Nth Msrte0 short Of
an acquisition of territory. Mr. G. spoke 10 his
friends on the Wing side OF the House, and bore
testimony, that though they had voted Tor The
war which he had opposed, they had done it un-
der protest. and for the relief of Gen. Taylor; but
thea had rotcd 10 get territory al The last SESSION ::
and a, this session, when the public sentiment!
was made up, the only way Tor safely now, was,
the defensive line, and il must be adopted at his
session, or we shall have 10 go on and meet the
hazard OF entire occupation, Tor better or lof
worse"
Though many Of its positions are unsound, we
doubt moi that this speech was worthy of The great
orator from South Carolina. We regret that ne
did not see proper 10 throw his influence on the
side OF the administration, and thereby, in our
opinion, aid in the policy Of securing speedy and
honorable peace, free from all enianglemenis OF
the defensive line.
We take from the Union The following synop-
sis oil the speech:
"The Senate proceeded 10 the consideration of
MIR. Calhoun's resolutions, on which he address.
ed The Senate Tor somewhat more Than an hour,
jusilying and explaining his original opposition
TO the war, and asserting THAI from The outset ne
had loreseen The tremendous evils il must OF ne
cessiy inf1ct on our institutions. Unless the
defensive line which he suggested should be
adopted, these evils could not he avoided. There
would then be left no alternative but 10 tall in
with The recommendations OF the President, and
carry on the war TO its termination. He protest
ed against The subjugaion Of Mexico 10 be held
Il
nv to be admitted into the States OF the Union
As experience had taught, it would require the
constant presence Of sanding army OF 10000
men 10 keep her in tranquility and submission
and, as STA es of This Union, we could never ad
NIT an Indian ami mixed blood population 10 ar
equality and association with our tree white Gill
Zens.
"There was, in Mr.. C.'s opinion, moi the small
es, chance 10 disenlangle ourselves from the dit
fcuty we were in, except 10 lake defensive
| line-lo lake indemnify into our own hands,
When the war was declared, he would have pro
posed flime had been allowed, 10 limit our effurt
| 10 defence He would now propose 10 all bacl
upon a line-he would not say what one. HI
would Withdraw our troops from The centre o
Mexico. We were now tied TO dead corpse
and he would get rid oft. Our true policy wa
equity, forbeafance justice and masnaniml!y.-
| We must await events. We must avoid war
and conquest. This was not The frs! time . nc ma
faction, standing alone, of opposing the PROPOSE
ton Of Gen. Jackson to issue letters Of reprisa
against France. He warned gentlemen that,
they went on in this career OF war and debt, the,
would seal the deah-warrant Of the constitution
Free trade would become but mere name. High
taxation of every kind would be inevitable. Al
the cardinal principles ollhe administration wouit
be reversed, and We should have debt, high Tariffs
and paper money. He appealed to his friends o
The administration side-ior he considered then
his friends-lo IeIace their steps. Relractior
would confer on them the highest honor He ap
| pealed 10 gentlemen on the other side, who were
responsible for This war in some measure-not By
voting 10 relieve Taylor, but by voting money tt
get territory whichth they did not intend 10 accept
10 take different coarse, and 10 agree 10 de-
tensive line. He would remind gentlemen Of lha
side that the public sense-the general voice d
the counlry-called for some territorial indemni
ty-and it was idle 10 resis, it. He should moi
now propose anything; but if he found that he
would be supported, he would propose to conslruc,
committee 10 consider what would be the bes
defensive line, and who would avail themselves
of the opportunity, fortunately presented, OF con.
sukins officers OF The army now in this city. The
resolutions were then, on motion of Mr.. Sewer
laid on The liable, with The assent of MIR. Cal.
houn; and the Senate proceeded 10 the consider.
alton of Executive business"
Mr. Clay is still luxuriatng al Martinsbure
under the hospi!abe roof of Philip c. Pendeton,
Esq, where he arrived on Monday last. On
Tuesday he dined with c. J. Faulkner, Esq, and
has been most cordially received. He will leave
this morning for Washington, where he will pro.
LII l..