An Anti-War Senator

Here is a senator speaking against the war:

Never was so momenteous a measure adopted, with so much precipitancy; so little thought; or forced through by such objectionable means.

On the passage of the act recognizing the war, I said to many of my friends, that a deed had been done from which the country would not be able to recover for a long time, if ever.

These deep impressions were made upon my mind, because I saw from the circumstance under which the war was made, a total departure from that course of policy which had governed the country from the commencement of our Government until that time; and this, too, under circumstances calculated to lead to most disastrous consequences.

We begin now to find the misfortune of entering into war without a declaration of war—without a declaration setting forth to the people the causes of the war, and one upon which they may hold the Government responsible.

I should have said that here was a senator speaking against the Mexican war. That was Senator John C. Calhoun in 1846 and 1847.

Author: Laurence Vance

Laurence Vance holds degrees in history, theology, accounting, and economics. He has written and published twelve books and regularly contributes articles and book reviews to both secular and religious periodicals.