American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-02
antsrtcau Rfpubltran,
AND BALTIMORE CLIPPER,
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY ,, 1915.

ClNsEQUENCEs OF WAR. NOSE WHO are
oil eponch to vecollcct the scenes of the last
war between Great Britain and the United
States will not be solc.tou5 to engage IN ano-
Their ulrecessurliy-tor although our country
acquired glory by The golantry Of our naya!
and military forces, our resources were exhaust
ed. our armies diminished in number, and our
people greatly Injured. We well remember
the fearful! forebodings with which the opening
of the Spring campaign Of 1915 was antic'pat-
ed; for, Notwithstanding the high bounty otter
ed bv Government to those who would enlist
d4r.ag :he war, recruits were few, ana tie Be-
cretarv of War Mr. Monroe recommended
cOnscrlptOn TO raise the necessary force. FOR
tunately peace was concluded, and this extreme
measure was rendered unnecessary. The ere
dit of the National Government had so deterl-
Grated that It was considered all act OF patriot
ism to lend money on treasury notes at eighty
cents for the dollar The country was then en-
gagged in u Just war and people were disposed
to submit to the evils consequent upon It with
patience and resignation; although many were
ruined, and all felt the disastrous consequences
OF the conflict more or less.
We are now, apparently, on the eve OF ano-
lac. war with the same power, and It is courted
by the unretlecting, inexperienced and reckless,
who indulge in gasconadng tourishes and bra
vado, as though we should have nothing to do
but TO send our vessels out ard sweep the Brit
lsh far from the ocean, We do not presume
that the President takes this view of the sub
ject, for he is old enough, and we hope wise
enough, to foresee the injurious effects which
war would produce upon the prosperity of the
country. 1t would give il blow from which
it would take long years Of subsequent peace to
recover. Ali descriptions Of propelty-houses,
lands, stocks, &c.-would Immediately fall in
value-and it would be found difficult, if not
impossible, to keep the public credit at par
improvements of every kind would cease, and
there would be general cessation Of business
10 q considerable extent In our present un-
prepared state, war with England should be the
last thing which we should seek: and no pru-
dent man will recommend it if it can be avoid
ed with honor. To England war would be
equally disastrous, aud we believe that she will
willingly avoid it if she can consistently with
the preservation of what she deems her rights
we therefore hope that no act Of preciptancy
Oh our part will give cause for hostiIites.
We have heretofore expressed our dsappro-
val Of the suggestion to have an extra session of
w, fbipt tbat : ,unr,Il ha ;,,,-i
prudent and impotic movement; and that the
affairs ofthe country had better be left for the
present in the hands of the President and his
eaSraot, they will probably be less disposed
move al this critical juncture Of public affairs
might be of fatal consequence; and we would
rather, therefore, trust to the discretion Of the
executive and his constitutional advisers, than
to that of Congress,
Nor do we believe that any good can arise
from holding public meetings in relation to our
foreign affairs. They are of too much impor-
lance to be so hastily discussed and disposed Of.
We have no doubt that Government will do
all that may be required to preserve the honor
and dignity Of the country; and, should war be-
come Indispensable there can be as little ques-
ton, that the national authorities will be sus-
tanned by the American people, without having
previously pledged sthclr lives, their fortunes
and their sacred honor to that effect. We
should await the movement of England
Should it be hostile, it must be met with becom-
ing firmness-but if friendly it should be re-
ceyed in the same spirit, 1t is no light or tri
fling matter for two such nations as Great Bri-
tain and the United States to engage in hostili-
ties for the sacrifice to each in life and property
would be immense-and both would retire from
the combat crippled in resources and weakened
in strength. Such would be the result of hav-
ing ''tried which could do the other the most
harm"