The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-06-27

their feelings and sympathies are in
perfect unison. Since he has had the
hardihood to avow the sentiment,
suppose they will consider its profanity
and moral treason perfectly consistent
with their professions of christianity
and patriotism. What re lance shall
we place on the sincerity of a gentle
mans professions, that they are for
their country, right or wrong, when
they exert all their power and influence
to put their country in the wrong in
the eyes of christendom, and invoke
the wrath of Heaven upon us for our
manifold national crimes and aggres-
sions? With professions of patriotism
on their lips, do they not show that
their hearts are with the enemy? They
appeal to the consciences and religious
scruples of our countrymen to unite in
execration of our government for sup
porting what they denounce as an un-
holy, unrighteous, and damnable cause |!
They predict that the vengeance of
God will fall upon US; that sickness, and
carnage, and death, will be our portion;
that defeat and disgrace will attend our
arms! Is there not treason in the heart
that can feel, and poison in the breath
that can utter, such sentiments against
their own country, when forced to take
up arms in self defence, to repel the in.
vason of brutal and perfdlous foe?
They for their country, right or wrong!
who tell our people, if they rally under
their country's standard, their bones
will bleach on the plains of Mexico, and
the enemy will look down from the
mountain-top to behold the destruction
of our armies by disease, and all those
mysterious elements Of death, which
Divine Providence employs to punish
wicked people for prosecuting an un.
holy and an urjust war! Sir, | tell
these gentlemen that it requires more
charity than falls 10 the lot Of frail man,
to believe that the expression of such
sentiments is consistent with the sim
certy of their professions-with patri.
otism, honor, and duty to their country.
Patriotism emanates from the heart; ii
fills the soul; inspires the whole man
with devotion to his country's cause.
and speaks and acts the same language.
America wants no friends; acknowl-
edges the fidelity of no citizen, who,
after war is declared, condemns the
Justice of her cause. and sympathies
with the enemy. All such are traitors
in their hearts, and it only remains fo
them to commit some overt act for
which they may be dealt with accord
ing to their deserts.
|
Mr.. Chairman, if | could have an
ticpated the extraordinary turn which
has been given to this discussion,
could have presented to the committee
and the country mass Of evidence.
from official documents, sufficient 10
show that, for years past we have had
ample cause for war against Mexico
independent of the recent bloody trans
actions upon the Rio del Norte.
could have presented catalogue Of
aggressions and insults; of outrages on
our national hag--on the persons and
property of our citizens; of the viola
ton of treaty stipulations, and the mur.
der, robbery and Imprisonment Of our
countrymen--the very recital of which
would suffice to fill the national heart
with indignation.-W Well do | recollec1
that General JACKSON, during the last
year of his administration, deemed the
subject of sufficient importance at that
time to send a special message to Con
gress, in which he declared that "the
wanton character of some Of the out
RACES upon the persons and property
of our citizens, upon the officers and
flag Of the United States, independent
of the recent insults to this government
and people by the late extraordinary
Mexican minister, would justify, in the
eyes Of nations, immediate ,oar."
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES OF
GENERAL TAYLOR.
The following dispatches from Gen.
| u, Il Sc al Lo@