The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-02-01
THE WAR

Both General Taylorand Mr.. Calhoun are Who'll
IL ut variance with President Polk in regard TO
the true policy Of carrying on the war with MeXi-
co. The latter is evidently for the conquest and
ultimately for the annexation Of Mexico, and hence
his destructive proposition TO strike at the vas of
that country. General Taylor and Mr.. Calhoun
on the contrary are opposed to the aggressive roll
icy, and the latter is firmly persuaded that the de-
struction Of Mexico will prove runous this coun
try. Both these distinguished individuals rec
ommend that our government assume the bounda-
nv line which Congress shall mark out as the prop
ei one, and hold it, acting only on the defensive.
To such course the President ohirciS, because it
defeats his cherished scheme of the general sulu-
CATION of Mexico, and its annexation to this cOun-
try. But he does not admit that such is his pur-
pose, and he is compelled 10 give some reason foi
his destructive policy. He therefore argues in his
message at great length against the course favored
by Mr.. Calhoun and General Taylor, maintaining
that TO assume 4 boundary line and hold it by dc
fen,ivc operations would require as many troops
and cost as much money. as to carry on the war
in the heart of the enemy's country. To all of
this Mr. Calhoun replies most satisfactorily in bis
late speech, as follows:
Have the avowed objects of the war been of-
fectcd Have We conquered peace Have we
succeeded in cfFcctingn treaty Are We offered
indemnity! No, sir, not single object avowcd
10y tie PRESIDENT, has been accomplished. No.
MIR. President, the object is further off than ever
Now ask, what has caused the complete discom-
future of our measure We cannot charge the
failure upon our troops 1t is not charged TO this:
but to the fact that the place of campaign was laid
in eJTor and founded in a mistake. we aimed at
indemnify. If wanted we should have enforced
il when We had the power in our hands. We.
however, endeavored to arrive at it by a treaty.
which had the MeXicans refused TO sign wouid
have completely upset the arrangement. They
did refuse and notwithstanding all our brilliant
victories the war is sill uron cur hands. After
an outlay Of sl0000,00O. we are worse off than
ever. ! am not looking at the conquest throw
that aside. We have lost 7O0O or 5000 men be-
SIDES and all this for nothing al ALL But Mr.. Pres
idcnt, it is said that defensive line would have
been as costly as the prosecution ofthe war The
President and Secretary have said it hut must
saw. TO my mind, it is utterly impossible. The
line which proposed would have been covered
with hostile Indians, and would have required on
" n single regiment and a ship of war to to guard
its coast. For seven years Texas remained I'M
conquered by Mexico. and that too. when the Mex
lean 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 presentwar We now come
MT PRESIDENT, TO the consideration of another
campaign. Sir. the same measures are proposed
rs were at the last session. We are told it is not
loE conquest that is explicitly disavowed 1t is
nor IN order to blot out the nationality of Mexi-
co, ior lle PRESIDENT avows distinctly he wishes to
retain its nationality. Now sir. we como 70 tho
practical question shall we carry ON the war
have inquire carefully into the matter and 7
must say there are many reasons now existine, a
gainst it, stronger than at the last session ;,
Thus speaks Mr.. Calhoun. who but lately wos
an administration man, If he is not now. He ;s
opposed to the policy of TIE Presideut-opposed
L..
Of Mexico, and destroying its nationality If this
be treason it is a very patriotic kind of treason
We trust that there will be ere long many more
such traitors