Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-11-14
SPIRIT OF THE FREE PRESS.
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~ HE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mr., FOLK lnlalllble
His political friends will moi assert in plain round
terms that he is. This would be too absurd, and
they are too cunning to be guilty of so nudicious
step But, in the blindness of partisan fury they
denonnce all opposition to his measures and opin-
ions, and brand those who cannot see things as he
sees them, as recreant traitors, thus indirectly at
least, claiming for the President and his advisers the
high endowment Of inlallibility.
One of the maxims of the British Government is
that the King can do no wrong and all the misdeeds
of royalty attributed, by fiction of law TO his
Ministers. Bad as this is-repulsive il is to every
principle of Repubcanism-our rulers 90 still
further. They would claim for Mr. Polk, and his
ministers TOO, perfect IMMUNITY from public con-
demnatlon. They would hush the voice of his OPP
ponents by the cry Of traitor. They would bind in
shackles the popular mind, that our rulers might
:" play such fantastic tricks as best suited their
purposes, and pass unwhipt of justice. M
Thus every who condemns the conduct of
the Administration, in regard to the Mexican war,
is covered with all the odium and abuse which the
government organ, in the penitude of its bitterness
can pour forth.
Listen to the Language Of the Union
Northern Wings and their presses Encouraged and
cheered by the National Wing organ Washngton) are
now fercey engaged in tratorous opposition to their
hy's acar upon the public enemy."
A traitorous opposition to their country's war
The old man of the Union knows full well that the
Northern Wings and their presses are NOT engaged
In tratorous opposition to their country's war;
but he hopes to divert public attention from the
miserable policy, the bungling management of the
war, by denouncing all who oppose, not the war,
but Mr.. Polk mode of conducting it.
But the Union grows more furious as he pro-
ceeds. Hear him again
q And buta smoral traitor but puny whips
hairs and bubble about the and objects of the
None but such would the Office Of opposing
putting his own judgment before that Of his country, and
terac the decision Of the constituted authorities in like
this, where rights and honor at stake"
What think you of that freemen of America
You not to inquire into the Of this war!
1t is no business of the people whether it was
brought about for the base and unpatrotic purpose
of promoting the cause of party. Oh, no! all this
is no concern of yours You are blindy to ap-
prove all that your rulers do, under the penalty of
being branded as traitors. 1t matters not whether
the war has been wisely managed or not--wheher
the constitution of your country has been violated
whether the causes and objects of the war" are
wicked or holy, still the people must be silent, and
blindly trust all to the wisdom of the President.
Was ever so outrageous, so extraordinary claim
put forth by the rulers of free people!
We have ever condemned Mr.. Polk for bringing
about this war. 1t was unnecessary, and might
have been avoided. But we are, now that we have
war, for fighting it out so as to preserve the hon
or and glory of the nation We would not throw
single obstacle in the way of the Administration
to impede its movements. On the contrary we
would have the arm of the Executive strengthened
with all the power and resources of the nation. We
would have the war vigorously and efficiently con-
Quoted We are, in other words, for our country,
:" right or wrong" though we do not regard Mr..
Polk alone constituting the country. We can
condemn him and his measures, and still support
the country. There is vast difference between
the Administration and the Country however much
the Union may labor TO prove the contrary; and
we may condemn the acts of the one without SUBJ
jecting the other to reproach Mr.. Polk is the ser
rant of the people, and they have right to call him
to account for his misdeeds. He involved the coun-
try in this war he ordered our army TO march to
the Rio Grande, which produced the collision of
arms. Upon him, .then, rests all its fearful respon-
sbilites. And while the people are willing to lend
him every aid in prosecuting the fight; while they
are willing, as becomes good and true patriots, to
give up their lives, if necessary, in sustaining their
country, they would be recreant to their duty it, be-
lieving the war to be unjust or badly managed by
the Administration, they did not speak forth their
condemnation, despite of denunciaton and calumny.
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