Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-06-09
Reflections upon the prospect of War.

five may be permitted, in anticipation Of an
outbreak with Great Britain, upon the Oregon
question, 10 indulge in few reflections, and a
dopt the language of Randolph of Roanoke, upon
the horrors and folly Of war with u foreign pow.
er, we will carry the reader back to the period oil
1912, at which time it was proposed to annex the
Canadas to the Northern Stntes.
Before the people of the United States allow
themselves to be embroiled in difficulty with
Great Britain, about piece of run.wild territory,
like Oregon; ought not, we ask! they first to re-
fleet and question themselves; if, for the sake
OF taking possession of Oregon, they would
lie willing, to submit to that ever growing
| system OF taxation. which sends the European la.
borers supperlcss to bed! to maintain by the sweat
OF their brows, armies, at whose hands, percbance,
they might receive future masterl" Such was
the language used by Mr.. Randolph, in a circular
to his constituents in 1912, and such is the Ian.
guage appropriate at the present crisis.
There are, doubtless, many neddlesome spirits,
among both the great parties of the present day,
and IN both countries, who would glory in having
war-but would they alone be the sufferers,-
If it were so, would be well perhaps to put their
bravery to the test. by placing them in the front
are likely to be the very first to get out of dan
gers way-first to shuttle the responsibility off
upon Others.
II, to sustain the position assumed by Mr. Polk,
the two countries should go to war, would it be
unreasonable TO expect that he, and his followers,
should be the foremost in baitlel We perceive not.
IL would be duty which they would owe to their
own consistency; and from which there could be
no shrinking.
These reflections have como upon us in reading
the address Of John Randolph, of Roanoke, ..to
the freeholders of Charlotte, Prince Edward, Buck
ingham and Cumberland" which address we find
in musty old number of the Philadelphia U. S.
Gazette of June 10, lsl2-printed 33 years ago,
tomorrow.
From the preparations, which are making, 10
mount all the cannon at the different Arsena!s and
Forts throughout the country, it wo Id seem that
Mr.. Polk expects to sustain his position. Well,
if we to get into it, lei us feel that we are able
TO compete with nation, which is more fully pre-
pared for a conflict than almost any other in the
world. Great Britain herself is not going into
The matter hastily, nor should we.
war now, would no, he unlike the war in 3D.
position to which, Mr.. X. thus expressed himself
"lt is against the liberty and happiness OF
IL Is war OF which the whole human the victims
To crafty the pride and lust OF power OF single
beseech you put 1t your bosums how far il be
comes you as freemen, Christians give your and and
sanction TO this impOus and bloody warfare against your
brethren Of the human family. To such among you if
ny such there be- who ibsensibe not
dgnhed and msny than they nirnsically WISE would
make different appeal adure you by the regard which
you have for your secuy and properly for the ber
ties and inheritance OF your children by ali that you hold
dsa ond sacred, TO nierpose your powers
save country and yourselves from calamity the issue
OF which it is not given to human foresight divine"
lhere are not wanting men weak suppose that
their appreciation Of wsrke proof OF
CALAMITY aud that opposition 10 them indicates want of
that Split which becomes friend his country as if il
required more courage and patriotism join the sccama
uon OF the day. than steadily oppose self the mad
to which every people and all have
a some une or Other givenway Lstihe history Of Phocn
OF Agis, and De WHAT'S this question. NY friends
do you expect to nd hose who loudest in the
Glamour pr foremost in the ranks of ble7 or is
the honour Of this nation ndssouhy connected with the
political reputson Of few individuals who tell you fI,v
have far rceede and that you must paw with
your ruin, the price Of their eorsislsneU.