Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-20
THE WAR SPIRIT.

THE WAR SPIRIT.
We give in another column, extracts from the
speeches OF Messrs- Wise. lngersol and Adams or
our Foreign Relations. The first is very bellieosc
aud holds out prospect, that il We cannot get up
war here. the orator will go to exss to indulge
his martial propensities. MIR Ingersolrs is more
subdued IN its tone, and is what MIR Adams APPLY
terms "pacihc war speech" IL, nevertheless, in
many OF its views comes up to our notion. We are
as well prepared for war now. as we will be- OF
ought TO be, having due regard to the nature of our
Institutions. A War Establishment, in a Republic
is Incompatible with the continuance OF that form OF
Government. Ii engenders too much patronage,
and soon subjects the civil to the military. II, moro
over increases the number Of those who in favor
OF war. People are too much prone, naturally, to
the glo'es and pors of war, withoutjany accession
OF war spirit from a Standing Army. War al
though sometimes necessary, is always mos, ha-
zardous adventure for Republic. Even the most
brilliant successes may prove the greatest public
disas,ers-by engendcrng Hero-mania-a spirit
OF conquest and lawlossness- hostile to the genius
OF free constitution, which finds is sures, support
in a people vir,uous, pacific and aw.loving. War
Is often Powerful engine in the hands of Despots.
r.,
and Ind employment for the restless portion of their
subjects. who wi,hou, such employment, might be
unmanaseable at home. This view may ne, be
without its influence the present British Minstry
who have millions to feed with little to feed them
whh-nnd population clamoring, ceaselessly.
against the existing order of tbrgs But this can
have no application here. If we go to war, it must
he 10 maintain national rights and national honor.
And when either is ossailed, TO war we must go,
whatever be the cost.
NSSome strange political combinations are said
to be IN progress at Washington. The first obi.c,
is TO kill Off Mr. Csy-the second to advance tho
interests OF the intriguers themselves. The more
political in,rigucs against MIR Clay, the better for
nm with the people. But should the in,rguants
succeed m their most laudable enterprise-when
they come TO distribute the spells, our knowledge
OF them assures us, they must quarrel. They con-
sp're against one grear man in the first place. with
settled determination on the part of each, rs soon
as the conspiracy succeeds, forthwith 10 cheat his
fellow.
The Corporal has enlarged his paper 10 the size
| OF the Compiler, and cuts quite a figure. We had
1t IN mind 10 give the Corporal gentle castgation
for sundry denquences,-but as he promises TO
quit putting himself and to be decent in future, we
let him off for the present.
i-JN MIR Tyler, it is said, calls Mr. Clay and Mr.
Benton, the leaders Of the Wing Party,
HIP We predict that the election in Virginia will
be more thinly attended this Spring than for years.
The Junto have put forth another long, stupid
slang -whanging Address, and not content with bor-
ing those who may encounte, it unawares, they
rsqurs it to be resd, aloud, like the Riot act, al
every Precinct in the Commonwealth! The Junto
have no bowels of compassion.
The following Protest, against increasing the debt
and taxes OF the City of Richmond, at this time,
will he circulated in few days, for signatures Of
such may be disposed to sign:
To ne Common Council Of me City Of Richmond.
conference.-the undersigned. citizens Of Rich
mond, having observed, from Report Of your Pro
ceednss IN the newspapers few days since, that
your Honorable body had referred To its Finance
Committee, proposition 10 confer with the Jane,
River and ksnawha Company upon the subject of
a loan Of $4,000, 10 be made upon the credit or
actual issue ct stock by the city, for the alleged
purpose Of rebuilding or finishing the Dock owned
by that Company las # $40 00O would really do the
contemplated work, when in fact II will not proba.
bly,, moro than build the Shockoe Creek Aaueduct)
which proceeding on the par, OF the Hail. as well lt
might, produced no inconsideTablc alarm among the
large number OF persons who had not before heard
OF 1t, tunder the impression that the already op,r
"he'"'ing debt Of the CITY such as TO deter all
persons wko are not unfortunately already holders
OF property IN tae Cny) from buying, and thereby
indirectly putting II out of tie power Of those who
are obliged TO sell TO do so without a runous sacI
fee
We, therefore, most earnestly but respectfully
protest against any loan, at this time, by, or upon
me e'tdh Of The city, for this for any oher purpose
"hateVer, tsave that 81 sustaining the municipal
government). Is 1t possible, gentlemen that under
the present dismal aspect OF affairs, with a worse
than empty treasury, you are disposed still more 10
dishearen and break down the struggling spirits of
our people by increased taXationl We trust not.
NO political paper Of the day has excited, IN GER
tain quarters, so much ire and indionant cornmen,