Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-01-21
SPEECH OF MIR. CALHOUN,
III the Senate Of The Tniied STATES, Januory
lSlS uuou his Resolutions

Hcs0lrcd, That to conquer Mexico and to hold it,
either as province TO incorporate IN the Union,
would be inconsistent with the avowcd object Tor which
the war has been prosecuted departure from the
settled policy OF the Government III conflict with s
character and genius and in the end, subycTsivc OF
our tree and popular institutions.
Resorcd That no Inc OF policy in the further pro-
sccuton OF the should be adopted which may
lead TO consequences 50 disastrous.
Mr.. CALHOUN said In offering, Senator'S
these resolutions for your consideration, have
been governed by the reason which induced me
to oppose the war, and by the same considera-
tons have been ever since guided. In alluding
to my opposition to the war, do not intend to
notice the reasons which governed the on that
occasion, further than is necessary TO explain
my motives upon the present. | opposed the
war then, not only because considered it un-
necessary and that it nigh have been easily
avoided. not only because thought the prcsi-
dent had no authority, to order portion of the
territory i'll dispute and in possession of the
MeXicans, to be occupied by our troops; not
only because ! believed the allegations upon
which it was sanctioned by Congress were un.
founded in truth, but from high considerations
of reason and policy because believed it would
lead 10 great and serious evils TO the country and
greatly endanger lis free institutions.
But after the war was declared and had re-
ccived the sanction Of the government, acqui-
esced III what could not prevent, ami which it
was Impossible Tor me to arrest; and then felt
it TO be my duty to limit my course so As to give
that direction TO the conduct of the war as would
as far as possible, prevent the evil aud danger
with which, in my opinion, in threatened the
country and It's institutions. For this purpose
at the last session, suggested TO the Sena'e a
defensive line, and for that purpose, now oficr
these resolutions. This, and this only, is the
motive which governs me. | am moved by no
personal nor party considerations. Nv object is
neither to sustain the Executive nor to strength
en- the opposition but simply to discharge an
important duty TO the country. But | shall ex.
press my opinion upon all points with boldness
and independence, such as becomes Il Senate,
who has nothing TO ask, either from the govern.
ment or from the people; and whose only aim is
to diminish, 10 the smallest sable amount, the
evils incident TO this war. But. when come
to notice those points in which differ from the
President, | shall do it with all the dccorum
which is due 10 the Chief Magistrate of the
Union.
When suggested defensive line, at the last
session, this country had in its possession,
through the means of its arms, ample territory,
and stood in a condition to force indemnity. Be-
fore then, the successes of our arms had gained
all The contiguous portions OF Mexico, and our
army has ever since held all that it is desirable
TO hold-tlat portion whose population is sparse
and on that occount the more desirable to be
held. For hold it in reference to this war Il
fundamental principle, that when we receive
territorial indemnity it shall be unoccupied ter
ritory
In offering defensive line, did it because
believed that in the first :,ace it was the only
certain mode of terminating the war success
inlly. l did 1t also because believed that it
would be vast saving of the sacrifice of human
life; but above ALL | did so because | saw that
any other line of policy would expose us To
tremendous evil, which these resolutions were
intended to guard against. The President took
IA different view. lie recommended Il vigorous
prosecution OF the war--not for conqucst-that
was dlsavowed--but for the purpose of conquer
ing peace; that is to compel Mexico Ia sign -
treaty maklnga sufficient ccssion of territory TO
indemnity this Government both for the claims
of its citizens and for the expenses of the war
Sir, opposed this policy. lopposed it among
other reasons, because | believed that if the war
should be ever SO successful, there was rreat
hazard To us at least that the object intended to
be effected by ii would not be accomplished
Congress thought differently; ample provisions
III men and money were granted for carving
on the war. The compaigu has terminated
II has been as successful as the Executive Of
the country could possibly have calculated. Vic
tory after victory has followed in succession,
without sing lc reverse. Santa Anna was re-
PEELED and defeated with all forccs-Nery Cruz
and the Castle were carried with it, Jalapa,
Perotc, and Puebla fell, and after two great
trumphs ofour army, the gates of Mexico OPEN
ed to u.s. Well, sir, what has been accomplish
ed a! What has been done! Has the avuwed
object of the war been attained Have we con-
guercd peace Have we obtained treaty
Have We obtained any indemnity! No. sir /;
not "A single object contemplated has been effect
ed, and what is worse our difficulties are greater
now than they were then, and the objects for
sooth, more difficult to reach than they were
before the campaign commenced.
Now Senators have asked what has caused
this complete discontinue of the views of the
Executive for which men and money were grant
ed 1t is not to be charged to our troops =
they have done all that skill and gaantry was
capable of eilecting. Ii must be charged some
where and where is it 10 be charged, but upon
the fact that the plan OF the campaign was er-
roneous, that the object pursued was a mistake.
We aimed at indemnity in a wrong way Il we
had aimed directly to It, we had the means to
accomplish II correctly; they were in our hands.
But sir, we aimed at indemnify through a treaty.
We could not reach 1t by treaty with Mexico,