The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-03

the Chesapeake and forced down the violated colors
Of our perforated hulk. Still, we waged no war "a
avenge that atrocous outrage and 10 hur back upon
the perpetrators the evils Of their own injustice. TIC
carry of the burning resentment which such con-
duct in British man-of-war justly created through
out the United States, we merely resorted 10 the
use OF remonstrance and non-nercourse measures
To this feeble resistance Mr. Jeffersons admins
tration was somewhat constrained; for the federal
party were active and strong and intent on regain
ing those reins of power which the election of 1906
had taken from their hands. They sadly neglected
their duties to the country, and would do nothing
to give prosperous issue to the war; lest their ser
vices mg ht increase the strength and popularity Of
the republican party. In this awkward attitude the
nation stood before the strongest enemy we evel
had. During the succeeding administration of Mr.
Madison England, presuming on the fortunes Of
the past greatly aggravated her injustice towards us
and was plainly elated and stimulated by the sue
cessfui mpunity under which she daily pundered
our valuable commerce. This Mr.. Madison clearly
saw, and frankly proclaimed. His frequent mes
sages, his cegent reasoning, and striking facts fully
convinced the country that our restrictive system
only whetted the avarce it aimed to blast, and hrew
the lucrative profits of confscation into British
hands St the federal party were averse TO strike
"the monarch of the seas" and strongly opposed 9
resort to arms But the sovereign people of these
United States would no longer suffer the British
government to soil our honor, to seize property
to ruin our commerce, and to dstor our forbearanct
into national cowardice. They cooy seconded the
suggestions of President Madison, resolved to rope
all further WRONGS and to hurl them back upon the
enemy from whom they emanated. In 1872, after
full and free discussion, we declared public war
braved the consequences Of the measure, and often
made powerful antagonist strike his proud stand
ards 10 gallant bands. Now, we are out oil
debt; credit is high; our resources are mex.
haustible. We can arm each trusy champion Of ouI
lawful rights with all the weapons which the honor
and the dignity of the nation may require. We can
endure the risks and the scourges of war as well as
other nations. And we UiH endure them, sooner
than submit to the wanon invasion of our dearest
rights. Any misfortune is preferable to the con.
scious degradation we should endure from a mean
and trucking acquiescence in the insolence of pow
err. E
We advise each hasty aspirant to glory and pre-
ferment to remember these things, and digest them
well. The fatal odum which covered the politicians
who pulled the enemy, even in war, and deprecated
the courage and resources of their country, should
serve as warning to the present generation. But
il is the wretched misfortune of ambitious politicians
never to profit from any disasters but their own.
Innumerabe blunderers rush into perdiGon; and
thoughess politicians survey the scene, initiate the
example, and pay the penalty To what other
shall we ascrbe the infatuation of those edi
tors and their hackers, who, in despite of expert
ence, can discern no encroachment or improperly
IN British funcuOnaries coming upon our borders,
and exerting their influence to prevent the peaceful
and reasonable annexation of Texas to this Union'
To what other cause shall we ascribe their disloyal
chngrin that this government should assume the
port and bearing which the folly and insolence of
Mexico have plainly Indicated Shall we discard
this charitable excuse, and set down their conduct
to the selfish, groveling apprehension that the
present administration may guard the nation against
infatuated foes, and justify the presidential choice
which the people have made' Wholly untainted by
unworthy aims as their wreched policy may be, we
persuaded that there is sense and irmness, and
guidance enough in this government, to enable our
captain and the to steer in safety the vessel of
this Union through every storm which folly or am
biton may create.
As for Mexico, she presents spectacle which
makes even calamity ridiculous. With wretched
government--weak, distracted, and corrupt-she is
already victim to the evil factions which surround
her. She had better suppcate the pardon which
feebleness needs from the magnanimity Of power.
She has wronged us in a thousand forms, and now
meditates blows, without calculating the force Of
their recoil. She disgrace the battlefield, and
stop the progress of annexation! As well might
the mole, with no horizon but his puny hill, meas
ure the flight Of the Peruvian condor.