Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-03
Mr. Marshis Speech, on the Loan
Bill and the War,

sell oil this occasion 10 do what he had new
er before attempted TO do in this place, viz.
express his own opinion and that which he
believed TO be the opinion Of large major.
ity OF his constitutions, and, as lie hoped,
Of The whole American people, on the caus-
es, motives. objects, and dependencies OF
the existing war with Mexico, and which
would induce him to vote against further
prosecution Of hostilities, which, though
avowedly commenced for defence, were OBJ
viously to be carried on for the purposes Of
conquest. The advocates of the war said
that il was now too late to stop, aud the
only question 10 be settled was, what means
ought TO be adopted TO bring the war to as
speedy a termination as possible, and obtain
such peace as should be honorable TO us
and Just TO our adyersaries. Il would be.
did a state Of war absolve us from all moral
responsibilities to those OF the human family
who happened to be our enemies! Mr. NJ.
was one who never had been able to see the
distinction between public and private mo-
ralily, and who held that there was broad
distinction between war for the defence
and maintenance Of existing rights and a
war for the successful establishment Of new
claims.
In Judging Of the propriely of prosecuting
any war, il was material to inquire into the
design and purposes for which the war had
been commenced; otherwise, we could
never know whether the war had accom-
plished its end or not. In regard 10 this
war, it was unimportant To distinguish be.
tween its primary cause and its immediate
n In ha hal,
generally if not universally admitted that
the primary cause Of our war with Mexico
was the annexation OF Texas; the proximate
cause was certainly the advance Of the
United States army TO the banks OF the Rio
GraEde but il did not therefore follow that
the war was necessary consequence
This Cabinet might be responsible for che
actual existence Of the war, though its pre-
decesscr might have produced that state Of
things out Of which i, had grown. II the
Administration had been guilty Of precipi.
taiing this dire calamity upon the country,
or If they should now refuse the terms OF
peace which were generally understood to
have been offered by Mexico, they we're re-
sponsible before God and man for all their
acts or neglects in relation to the whole
subject.
After the fatal wound we had inflicted on
the national honor and independence of
Mexico, by the absorption of reyolted pros
vince, which she still claimed as an integral
part Of her empire, Mr. M. would not say
that il had ever been possible to avoid a
war but, as had been well shown by his
friend from Connecticut, Understood TO re-
fer TO Mr. DixoN,) the Administration new
er had bona fde endeayored to avoid il by
soothing the wounded feelings Of Mexico,
or doing any thing to conciiate until this
were tried they had no right TO presume, be-
forehand, that she would refuse all concilia-
ton. She had at any rate committed no
hostile act; the cdsus beM had not occurred
when the present war was provoked and
commenced by us. He would not say that
the Administration had wantonly plunged
the country into this contest, with full
knowledge beforehand OF its character ant
results; but this much he would say, that
be had no doubt the President had ordered
the advance Of our troops under the hope
that he might thereby goad Mexico into
some hostile act, that would serve as a pau
sible reason for large increase Of the ARM
and navy, and proportionate augmentation
Of Executive patronage; ndthath he calculat
ed at the cost Of small war TO extort from
Mexico her fairest provinces, thereby plac
: ing President Polk by the side Of Presiden
Tyler, on the band emnence Of those wit
undertook to become the "enlargers Of tn
, area Of freedom"
But, besides all this, the Executive re
solved on taking steps to get the CALIFORNIA;
The surrender Of Oregon had been prede
termined, and il became necessary 10 pro
pitiate the irritated feelings of the West, in
dignant as that high-sprited people woul
certainly be at loss of what they all ha,
been taught was their ''unquestionabe
: right. A war with Mexico presented itscl
as the readiest and most likely method {
effect this object, by opening to Westcr
enterprise new regions in the South, i
J place Of those which il was deemed the par
of discretion TO surrender TO The demand G
Great Britain.
Mr. M. said he could not regard this wa
but as national offence. Ii was again.
the spirit OF the times 1t was a retrograd
step in the onward progress Of civilizatio
' and humanity. 1t was a misuse, toti
preversion Of our rich resources, misd
! rection of our aims. The cultivation Of III
! arts of peace. Of reproduction, Of muliiplic'
d ton, Of creation, were now recognised o
all hands as best suited 10 the genius an
! enterprising spirit Of our people. To Gu
: liyate war, in preference, was an inversio
), Of craftsmanship unworthy Of the nineteeni
. century, and against the precepts Of Chri
: tianiiy. II called a great civilized an
It Christian nation 10 turn the ploughshare il
C 10 the sword. The policy Of this peop
5 ;; was to increase by natural growth and
e accreiion, not 10 spread BY acquisition an
conquest. he very publicity that nece
L sariy attended the operations Of repub
can government was utterly opposed 10 Il
policy of an acquisitiye war, which mu
l. have been planned in darkness. But il "
G, moi a thing 10 be wondered at that an A
4 minislration which was in direct hostility
4 The encouragement Of the useful arts al
ID the protection Of domestic industry shou
Y seek TO divert public attention from IFS $,
= = fish and ambitious policy by holding up 4
- tinsel Of military glory, and waving befo
Of the gaze of The people the false and mel
81 81 ,ricious splendor Of foreign conquest, al
he thus finding out new and gully emplo