Author: Caleb Blood Smith
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781331713241
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 20
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Excerpt from Speech, of Mr. Caleb B. Smith, of Indiana, on the War and Its Cost: Delivered in the House of Representatives of the U. States, February 3, 1848 Mr. Caleb B. Smith, of Indiana, being entitled to the floor, on the question of referring the various parts of the Presidents Message to the several standing committees, addressed the House as follows: Mr. Speaker: I shall not consume any portion of my time in discussing the origin of the war with Mexico. That question has been very ably and thoroughly discussed, not only at this session, but during the last Congress. The members of this House, and the country, are in possession of all the information necessary to enable them to form conclusions satisfactory to themselves. I have only to say, in regard to this matter, that this House has decided, during the present session, upon a solemn and deliberate vote by yeas and nays, that the war with the Republic of Mexico, in which we are now engaged, was "unnecessarily and unconstitutionally commenced by the President of the United States." I had the good fortune - and I deem it extreme good fortune - to have the opportunity of recording my vote in favor of this sentence of condemnation. In giving that vote, my heart concurred with my judgment; and I desire to say no more at this time, in regard to the origin of the war, than to express my concurrence with the decision so solemnly made by this House. It is a decision which, in my deliberate judgment, the country will sustain and approve. Whatever may be the opinions of individuals who, influenced by partisan feelings, may be disposed to justify all that the President has done or may do, when party excitement shall have been dissipated by time, and the impartial pen of history shall have recorded the facts, the matured judgment of the American people will sanction that vote of condemnation. But I desire at this time to speak more particularly in reference to questions of more practical utility - questions which concern the future rather than the past. However this war may have commenced, on whomsoever shall rest the responsibility of its origin, we are in the midst of it; its evils are now pressing upon us, paralyzing the energies of the country, drying up its resources, and wasting its best blood. It becomes us, the representatives of the American people, sent here to deliberate upon questions affecting their interests, calmly and dispassionately to deliberate, and consider whether some means may not be devised, by which this war may be terminated, and its calamitous consequences arrested. The financial affairs of the country are at all times interesting, and demand our attention. They become doubly so in time of war, when our expenditures are greatly increased without any corresponding increase of revenue. Gentlemen on the other side of the House sometimes charge those who oppose the Administration with being in favor of the accumulation of a national debt. It there are any who desire the increase of our public debt, they are likely to be gratified to the fullest extent of their wishes. I shall take care to show that such a charge can have no application to me. I regard the accumulation of a national debt as an evil of the most serious magnitude, and one which every consideration of duty and patriotism requires us as far as possible to avert. The effect of the Mexican war upon our financial condition, and the rapid augmentation of our public debt which it is likely to produce, have not, in my opinion, received the attention their importance merits. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
Author: Caleb Blood 1808-1864 Smith
Publisher: Wentworth Press
ISBN: 9781374141810
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 26
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Book Description
Author: United States. Congress
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 1130
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Book Description
Author: Caleb Blood Smith
Author: Caleb Blood Smith
Author: Caleb Blood Smith
Author: Caleb Blood Smith
Author: Truman Smith
Author: Caleb Blood Smith
Author: 
Author: HORACE GREELEY