SPEECHES.

397

Mr. Calhoun said: In offering, Senators, these resolu-tions for your consideration, I am governed by the reasonswhich induced me to oppose the war, and by which I havebeen governed since it was sanctioned by Congress . In al-luding to my opposition to the war, I do not intend to touchon the reasons which governed me on that occasion furtherthan is necessary to explain my motives on the present.

*1, then, opposed the war, not only because it might havebeen easily avoided; pot only because the President had noauthority to order a part of the disputed territory in posses-sion of the Mexicans to be occupied by our troops ; not onlybecause I believed the allegations upon which Congress sanctioned the war untrue ; but from high considerations ofpolicy—because I believed it would lead to many and seriousevils to the country, and greatly endanger its free institu-tions. But, after the war was declared, by authority of theGovernment, I acquiesced in what I could not prevent, andwhich it was impossible for me to arrest ; and I then felt itto be my duty to limit my efforts to give such direction tothe war as would, as far as possible, prevent the evils anddanger with which it threatened the country and its institu-tions. For this purpose, at the last session, I suggested tothe Senate the policy of adopting a defensive line;—and forthe same purpose I now offer these resolutions. This, andthis only, is the motive which governs me on this occasion.I am moved by no personal or party considerations. Myobject is neither to sustain the Executive nor to strengthenthe opposition ;—but simply to discharge an important dutyto the country. In doing so, I shall express my opinion onall points with the freedom and boldness which becomes anindependent Senator, who has nothing to ask from the Gov-ernment or from the People. But when I come to noticethose points on which I differ from the President, I shall do itwith all the decorum which is due to the Chief Magistrateof the Union.