The Works of John C. Calhoun Volume 4 by John C. Calhoun

Author:John C. Calhoun [Calhoun, John C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Politikwissenschaft
Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
Published: 2018-03-19T23:00:00+00:00

SPEECH On the Bill making further appropriation to bring the existing war with Mexico to a speedy and honorable conclusion, called “The Three Million Bill;” delivered in the Senate, February 9th, 1847.

[THE Bill making further appropriation to bring the existing war with Mexico to a speedy and honorable conclusion being under consideration, — ]

MR. CALHOUN rose, and thus addressed the Senate: Never, Mr. President, since I have been on the stage of action, has our country been placed in a more critical situation than at present. We are not only in the midst of a very difficult and a very expensive war, but we are involved in a domestic question of the most irritating and dangerous character. They both claim our serious and deliberate consideration, and I trust that before this session closes, late as it is, they will both receive a full discussion. It is due to our constituents that the actual state of things in reference to both should be fully understood. For the present, I propose to consider the question which is more immediately pressing, How shall the war be conducted to bring it most advantageously to a successful termination? Or, to express it a little more fully, — How shall it be conducted to enable us most advantageously to effect all the objects for which it was made? For it is only by effecting those objects that the war can be properly said to be successful. There are two ways in which the war may be conducted.

The one is, to push on offensive operations until Mexico is compelled to yield to our terms. The other, to take a defensive position, and to maintain and secure the possession of the country already in our military occupation. The question which I propose to consider is, — Which of these two plans of operation ought to be selected? It is a grave question—in my opinion, next in importance only to the war itself. I have given it my deliberate consideration, and the result to which I have come is, — that we ought to choose the defensive position. I shall now proceed to state the reasons upon which this conclusion is founded.

I believe it is the policy best calculated to bring the war advantageously to a successful termination; or, to express it more fully and explicitly—for I wish to be fully comprehended on this important question—to bring it with certainty to a successful termination, and that with the least sacrifice of men and money, and with the least hazard of disastrous consequences, and loss of standing and reputation to the country. If I rightly understand the objects for which the war was declared, I feel a deep conviction that, by assuming a defensive attitude, all of them may be effected. I say, if I rightly understand; for, strange as it may seem, those objects, even at this late day, are left to inference. There is no document in which they are distinctly enumerated and set forth by the Government,

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