The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-01-18

heves that all the glory acquired IN this war
will be confined to the army. 80 far as ms
knowledge extends, throughout the civilized
world, there is no appreciation OF the conduct
of our civil powers. Everywhere the decla-
ration is made that I'VE are an ambitious, I'M
Just, hard people, more given to war than any
people of modern tilnes.
Ifr. C. tells US that there is not an example
on record Of any free state ever having at
tenpted the conquest of any territory ap-
proaching the extent Of the territory of Mex
leo, without disastrous consequences. Sogreat
would be the addition which the conquest of
Mexico would make to the patronage OF our
government, that the Union would become I'M
perial. and the States mere subordinate cor
pOrations; and by the same process would
power be transferred from the Legislative to
the Executive: and finally, said the dlstIn-
guished Senator, looking around him, you pun
into the hands of the Executive the power OF
conqueiing you.-'The result will be despot-
ism. 1t is as certain as that l am this day ad-
dressing the Senate
The same consequences would ensue snouiu
territorial form of government be adop'eo'
So long as the population OF Mexico remains IS
hostile to us a territorial government would
in fact be nothing but provincial govern
ment
Finally. Mr.. Calhoun can see not the slight
est chance of our disentangling ourselves from
This Mexican concern, but by taking defen-
sive line If time had been allowed to the
Senate, when the first war message of the
President was before them, he should have an
nounccd this as lis policy then. He was in IA
vor of voting General TAYLOR the means Of de-
opI DOfhino moro
As to where the defensive line should now
be drawn, JIr. Calhoun says:
al do not presume to offer an opinion.-I
suggested line last session, | am not pre-
pared to say what would be the proper one at
the present time, but do say we must vacate
the central parts of Nexico-We must fall
back, if YOU choose to use that word, or take
line that shall cover ample territory for indem-
nifty.
For my part am not for charging Mexico
with the whole expense of thewar; but l
would take ample territory, and hold 1t subject
to negotiation
lie takes this ground, not from regard to
Mexico, but for the good of our own country:
Il look to the liberty of this country, and
nothing else.
To his political friends, 1fr. Calhoun speaks
with great deal Of plainness, and tells them
that this war, if persisted in, will prove their
overthrow. While protesting hostility TO the
creation of a National Debt, this their war, is
involving us in almost as large debt as that
Of the Revolution: while declaring Justify a.
g;linst the increase of Executive power and
patronage, they are doing more towards the
extension of that patronage and more towards
the continuance Of that extension than has ev
or been done under our government: while
protesting 10 be in favor Of an exclusive me-
talic currency, their Treasury notes and stocks
are accommodating to an alarming extent and
while they are Free Traders in theory, they
are accumulating charges and burdens that
viii render necessary Tariff Of duties for
generations to come.
To the Wings he says:
You have contributed by your course, to
give the public opinion that strong and fixed
dctern ination not to terminate the war with
out some suitable indemnity. l do not allude
to YOUR voting on the bill to recognize the ex-
istence of war between the republic of Mexi-
co and the United States No one knows bet
ter than myself that you voted for the bill
with the view of furnishing immediate relief
to General Taylor and his army-and not in
reference to the war-that you even protested
and demonstrated against that Interpretation
being put upon your vote. But after the bill
passed, and the war was authorized, most of
you have continued to vote appropriations TO
prosecute the war with the object expressed of
acquiring territory as an indemnity. Now,
must say, cannot see how the two can be rec
onciled-how your vote to acquire territory
can be justified and at the same time your OPP
position TO the acquisition of territory as means
of indemnity, when it is acknowledged on all
sNies that that is the only means by which it
can be acquired
Mr. Calhoun closes by repeating that the on
ly alternative in regard to the war, is between
takinga defensive line, and adopting the course
pointed out by the President, and that this de-
cision must be made nou.-If he finds he can
be supported in his views, he Will undertake
to raise a committee to deliberate, after con-
sulting with the officers now in Washington,
upon the best defensive line that can be taken,
Should such {, line be adopted, we may not
get peace immediately; but, though war may
be continued for years. the country will be ex-
tricated from this ENHANCEMENT with Mexico,