The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-07
THE WARLIKE SPIRIT OF THE
GLOBE

ihte since the retirement of the late aparfiLe adj
mnistration. Pray where was all this spirit.
which Is now SO ready for fight, during Mr.. Van
ourehs administration Where was il during
the months and years when the blood Of the
citizen killed on board the Caroline M Scblos-
ser, renamed unatoned, unavenged and un,,oti-
cea oy the British Government? Where, we
ask was that spirit, when Mr.. Stevenson was
allowed to remain so long at the British Court
without receiving even an answer TO his notes
asking redress? This vapouring is too disgust
| ing 70 be witnessed with patience, coming from
inc organ oil crayen-spirited administration,
which by It's own pusianimity, in the first place,
got US into difficulty by its fear and neglect to
enforce on our Northernf frontier the laws to pre-
vent such outrageous breaches of neutral rights
ana obligations as took place on both sides. and
then when the British committed an outrage on
the iives and property of our citizens, and upon
our neutral rights within our own territory, dared
not vigorously demand and seek redress, for fear
oil offending the "Patriots," and of jeopardising
the reelection of the then President!
We do not think it probable, or scarcely posi-
BILE, that war should grow out Of this matter
JUSTICE AND LAW will have their course be the
consequence what they may, but still we cannot
conceive that there is or will be any thing TO fight
about.
There has been much ofviolence and much of
wrong, committed during years past ON both
| sides along our Canadian frontier II cannot be
denied that the invasion Of those provinces by
refugee citizens from that side, uniting with bo-
dies OF men on this, was illegal, grossly and un-
justifaby SO, and we believe that all proper
minded men, even among the pat lots them
selves, now view it in this light. We believe
however that the motives Of some of these men
were pure, mistaken as they were. They
were, as they supposed, aiding the cause
OF human liberty and they were culpaby
Ignorant of their legal duties and obpa-
| tons as citizens of a neutral country
But they must learn that Ignorance Of the law
excuseth no man." AT the same time il is true
that most Of them were actuated by any other
than laudable motives, in disturbing the quiet Of
hitherto peaceful country, carrying war and
the firebrand and death into the very heart of a
country with which we were at peace And
many, too many, were the precious lives of mis-
guided and brave young men sacrificed after
being deserted by their leaders-and many are
the widows and orphans on that side, made by
the deadly American rife, at Point au Pelee
and at the Windmill. Dearly has Justice been
satisfied by the gbbet and by Punishment. The
burning of the Caroline in American waters,
was anillegal and unjusti6able outrage, commit
ted by detachment of the British army from
| Chippewa-and whether there were excusatory
or palliative circumstances for such an outrage
it is for the British Government to show. But
we cannot conceive that Mcleod, or any other
soldier Of that expedition, is amenable either to
our Government or that of the State Of New
York. The matter was made one Of national
negotiation between the two Governments by
Mr.. Van Buren,, and it would be both illegal and
cowardiy and cruel TO inhict punishment on a
single individual who, if he was present, acted
in this matter under the orders of his superior
officer, and would have been hung or shot for
disobedience had he refused so to do
We take it, that this Government is both hon
orable and just enough to do right, without fear
either of the charge of cowardice by enemies
abroad or at home, and strong and brave enough
to maintain and defend her honor and her rights
at all hazards, and against any foe.
We are much mistaken in our estimate of the
character of President Tyler and Of the Secre-
tary of State and Of the rest of the Cabinet, if
they do not possess not only the courage and pa
triotsm to maintain the honor and dignity of the
American nation and Of the laws, but to act
coolly and firmly and Justly, without regard to
the base attempts to make political capital out Of
this matter, by men who would burn city to
warm their hands by its blaze.
1t is true that little has been done Of late to
whose is the fault, if fault it isl The Globe
SAYS it is that of Mr.. Webster, of Mr.. Critten-
den, and Mr.. Bell The two former gentlemen
did, precisely as bold and honest men alone,
would have done, in the case alluded to.
Mr. Bell did amend the Fertilization bill oil
Mr.. Benton on the other occasion mentioned by
the Globe, as alleged. Weremember it well, as
we were present at the time, and admired the
skill displayed by Mr.. Bell on that occasion
But will the Globe tell US what party was in a
large majority at that time in both branches
The Senate was composed of large majority
of Gen. Jackson's and Mr.. Van Buren's friends
who were quite too Submissive to the dictates o.
the Executive, and so of the House.
But It is a matter of little consequence whose
fault it was Our country is not dependen
alone upon Notifications and bitches and stand
ing armies. Her strongest Notifications are tn,
hardy frames and fearless spirits Of her sons
who will stand about her as wall of defence
slfeean never beconquered, even by the unite'
powers of the world. So long as Concord
Lexington, and Bunker's Hill, remain-so Ion: