The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-17

In our hands, winch, Whth exercised, aiWays
satisfies the law, we put in peril the peace Of
two great nations, and risk the flow Of rivers of
blood for the sake of vengeance on an humble
individual
This, as il seems to US, is the light in which
the matter stands. The law must have its
course. Pardon is an act of generosity, and
when there are sufficient reasons to justify it,
to call for il, the law is not dishonored, while
the clemency of the dispensing power imparts
ustre to authority, and detracts not from the eff
cheney of good government In case ofthe con-
yiction of Mcleod, we have nothing at stake in
pardoning him, but should receive much credit
for il from all the world, as the motive would be
appreciated 1t would not be called fear-for
nations know not fear, as individuals debut it
would be regarded as a generous satisfaction to
the feelings of an interested party.
Why, then, this talk about war, as matter of
policy, even if it could be proved to be such,
since the motive is unknown to our Government,
and repudiated in our whole history2 1t is a
sad evidence how easily some people may be
tempted to swerve from principle, and that going
down hill in morals is easy, and going up hard
We persuade ourselves, however, that they
who are hoping and trying to plunge us into
war, on account of Mcleod, will be disappoint-
ed. The people Of this country, we believe,
will never desire such an event, nor consent to
it, unless national honor national justice should
require it. We see not how either would call
for the death of Mcleod, though he should be
convicted. On the contrary, our national honor
would be tarnlshed with spot before the world,
that could never be wiped away, if, with the
pardoning power in our hands, we should offer
up victim to the law, which is liable to become
| provocation to tens of thousands of victims to
the sword.
England, we trust, will be better advised than
to say, our laws shall not have their course,
when il happens that one or more Of her sub
jects have fallen into their hands. If not, our
honor would be touched. But when she ayows
the acts which constitute the offence as her
own, we may pardon the individual without dis.
honor, and look to the nation for satisfaction, if
any other is demanded, after the forms Of law
have been sustained. The sacrifice of the indi-
| vidual In such case would chance to bring
down upon us, from that public, called the
world the charge of an infraction Of the law Of
nations. *@s
Let those who think and talk lightly of war
as If it were light thing to be engaged in
stand by themselves, and act on their own re.
sponsbility. We have no fellowship with such
minds; much less with those who only inquire
whether it win be profitable. Whenever the
/ cd tote eho oil for orf
lost-lost to principle, and lost to our claims OF
the protection and blessings of heaven. W.
shall then have lost our high and proud distinc
ton among the nations of the earth. We have
publicly repudiated the motive ofconquest for the
acquisition of power or the extension of empire
and stand alone upon our rights-rights, as they
relate to sovereignty, to honor, and to Justice
The nation that touches these, touches our hearts
and will feel our resentment, however powerful
while the weakest and most defenceless of tn,
| tribes Of the earth are safe from our INVASION
] We crouch not to kings, and as we respect TIL
rights Of all, we claim thar our own shall ais
be respected
We do not envy the position of those VIII,
have the responsibility of endeavoring to stir VI
strife of nations for such cause. 1t is NOR
than inconsiderate and rash. We will not trus
ourself to speak out all that we feel. We hav,
shown that it is anti-American, unpatriotic, ant
as to its positive character let the conscience o
those concerned-if yet there remaineth such {
virtue in their bosoms-let the spontaneous sen
timents of peace-loving, vet not the less honor
loving and justice-loving community, pronounce
As to our readiness for war with England
which is presupposed by the artful question o.
the Globe-"A Are not the United States able tc
maintain their independence 2"-the real question
here intended, being an affirmation, that we ar.
ready for war, isridicuous, as question ofpolicy
| Was there ever nation more unprepared thar
we are to plunge instantly into such war, il
we consider our own condition and that of Grea
Britain2 No money in the public Treasury
brought deeply in debt on peace establishment
no currency worthy of the name, no Navy tina,
could safely go to sea against the force to be op
posed to US, and where are the troops to encoun-
ter the first regiment of the numerous British
Army now in the border provinces, that should
cross the lines? What is the condition of our
sea-board and frontier Notifications Where
are the ways and means to give efficiency to the
War Department in the exigency of sudden
hostilities And yet, if war comes on accoun,
of Mcleod, it will come in moment, like q
clap of thunder
In this critical situation of our domestic af
fairs, in this utter restitution and helplessness
at all points and in all respects, Mr.. Pickens' re.
port, supposed in Great Britain to be adopted
and sanctioned by Congress, though it was not
but only ordered to be printed-this Report, un.
der such aspects, and clothed with such suppo.
sed authority, throws down defiance at the fee,
of the most powerful nation on the globe, and
one every way ready for war by sea or land II
does it, too, at moment, when the popular pas
sions of that Empire are liable by single torch