The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-01-20
MIR. CALHOUN'S SPEECH.

governed me on that occasion, further than
necessary to explain my object on the pre-
ent
opposed the war then, not only because
considered it unnecessary, and easily to b
averted-not only because the President
without authority, ordered the United State
troops to enter disputed territory, at tina
time occupied by the Mexicans-not only be
cause the declaration Of Congress was I'm
founded in truth-but from higher considcra
tons of policy because l torcsaw that i
must lead to great and serious evils to th
country, and greatly endanger its free insti
tutions. The war was declared, and recog
nized as such, by the government, when i
was too late to avert it. y Whel
l proposed in the Senate of the United States
at the last session, different line Of policy
we had large portion Of country in our pos
session; we stood in Il better position than a
any other time since, to make it; for hold
it to be a fair principle, that we may receive
indemnity in the shape Of unoccupicd terri
tory, from woods, but not from cultivated
homes of Mexicans. In offering at the last
session, peace resolutions, did it because
thought it would be great saving i'll men
and money; but above all, because l saw il
would save US from being involved to the cx-
tent we now are. The President took q DIFF
fcrent view; he recommended a vigorous
prosecution Of the war to Congress, to "con-
quer peace )" that is, to compel the McXi-
cans to make us indemnity, and also to pay
us the expenses of the war. lopposed it, be-
cause | thought there was great hazard if the
war was continued. Congress thought differ
emily; it voted men and money. At Buena
Vista we were victorious; Vera Cruz fell !;
Cerro Gordo was conquercd--briliant Veto
ries, that do great honor to our army-and
finally the gates of the city of Mexico fell
PROSTATE to our conqucring arms. Well, sir,
have the avowed objects of the war been eff
tected? Have we conquered peace? Have
we succeeded in effectng treaty? Are we
offered indemnity? No, sir, not single OBJ
ject avowed by the President, has been ac-
No, Mr.. President, the object
is farther off than ever. Now, sir, ask what
has caused the complete discontinue Of our
We cannot charge the failure
upon our troops, 1t is not charged to this,
but to the fact, that the plan of the campaign
was laid in error and founded in Il mistake.
We aimed at indemnity. If we wanted it,
we should have enforced it when we had the
power in our hands. We, however, endeav-
bred to arrive at it by u treaty, which, had
the MeXicans refused to sign, would have
upset the arrangement. They
lid refuse, and Notwithstanding all our bril-
liant victories, the war is still upon our hands.
After an outlay Of $40,O0O,000, we are worse
off than ever. We have lost 1000
or 5000 men besides, and all this for nothing
Ill D,,E ~, -,
defensive line would have been as costly as
The prosecution of the war The President
md the Secretary of War have said it; but
must say to my mind, it is utterly impossible.
The line which proposed would have been
covered with hostile Indians, and would have
required only a single regiment and ship OF
war to guard its coast. For seven years, Tex
as 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 it
would cost US more to defend that line, than
to carry on the present war!
We now come, Mr.. President, to the con-
sideraton of another campaign. Sir, the
last session. We are told it is net for con-
quest, Chat is explicitly disavowed. 1t is not
in order to blot out the nationality of MeXi.
co, for the President avows distinctly he
wishes to retain its nationality. Now, sir, VIC
come to the practical question. Shall we
carry on the war? have inquired carefully
into the matter, and l must say there are
many reasons now existing against it, strong
er than at the last session, A bill has been
proposed authorizing the President to raise
an additional force of not less than twenty
five thousand men, making, in all, not less
than seventy thousand troops for the next
and at an expense Of fully $780,
100000. Now, what is the condition Of the
money market at present? Last year, in
Of the unfortunate famine in
Europe, we had large balance Of trade in
our favor, and money was plentiful. We are
now encountered with large drain both
ways. We have to send large sums, both to
England and Mexico. If drafts are sent here
they are cashed, and in the present state of
the market the money goes to England. l
see treasury notes quoted below par, and
stocks still lower. The end will be great
crisis and the failureaof our banks
There is danger now of all this, which did not
exist at the beginning of the last session.
Men you may get, but money you cannot.
But, sir, these are not the only objections,
formidable as they are against the war l do
not see the slightest chance of obtaining any
thing by it, if we should be successful in our
arms, which don't believe but if we should,
the avowcd objects would be defeated. But
sir, [ take the other side. The more victories
we gain, the greater will be our difficulty in
arriving at peace, as avowed. What is to
be the effect if we proceed to reprcss all re-
sistance in Mexico? We overthrow her civil
government, and leave her without any pow
err. Mr. President if that is done, how are
you to obtain peace One power can make
war-it requires two to make peace. If
you destroy the government of Mexico, where
is your second party to peace You are
defeated by your own success. But what do
you accomplish by the very object you dis
own2 Where will be her nationality? The
free republic you wish to see, will be gone
blot+od ont a mara mace of what che WING