Question

“I allude to the question of slavery. Opposition to its further extension . . . is a deeply rooted determination . . . in what we call the non-slave holding states. . . . How is it in the South? Can it be expected that they should expend in common their blood and their treasure in the acquisition of immense territory, and then willingly forego the right to carry thither [there] their slaves, and inhabit the conquered country . . . ? Sir, I know the feelings and opinions of the South . . . .”
—Senator Thomas Corwin, 1847, in a speech on the Mexican War

Based on the excerpt, what does Senator Corwin expect Southern whites to do if the United States wins the Mexican War?

Answer 1

Corwin expects that the territory gained by the US through this war will result in Southern whites moving to these new lands with their slaves. This is evident from the way in which he uses "willingly forego the right to carry their slaves and inhabit the conquered territory?"

He uses this phrase in a rhetorical sense, as the slaves are considered by many Southern slave owners as property. In their minds, it is only right that they bring their slaves to this new territory.