Solomon Foot was a Whig member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the Mexican War. In this speech, delivered on February 10, 1847, Foot questioned "the character and objects of the Mexican War." He regarded the war as entirely avoidable and as an expression of the Polk Administration's commitment to consolidating its power through military zealotry and the expansion of slavery.

brief excerpt of speech

Like Solomon Foot, Mr. Collamer was a Whig politician elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1840s. As a Whig, he strenuously objected to the war with Mexico. Regarding the war as an effort to fortify slavery at the expense of constitutional principle, Mr. Collamer roundly condemned the Polk Administration for its aggressive and costly military policy.

brief excerpt of speech

In this speech before the U.S. Senate in January 1848, Mr. Phelps objected to the costliness of the war with Mexico. Like many Vermonters, he was critical of tariff reductions that had damaged Vermont’s economy. He suggested a speedy conclusion to the war and a return to pressing domestic responsibilities.

brief excerpt of speech