Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-15

Congress will al once and thoroughly second the
recommendations Of the Executive on this sub
i.ct We can see no cause for alalm to Aneri'
can commerce, if the proper measures be speedily
adopted.
The Wing press, led on BY the National Intel
isencer, assail the President, because, as they
charge, he has in his Message aimed blow al
he f,eedom Of speech and of the press, aud has
Substantially Sc. up the doctrine that "ihe King
can do wrong" To show the absurdily Of such
IA impulation, we quote the much abused pas
sas.s Of the Message.
"The existing war with Mexico was neither
d..,red nor provoked by the Uniled States. Oa
the contrary, all honorable means were resorsed
10 10 avert il. Alter years OF endurance OF as.
graya,ed and uuredressed wrongs on our pat,
Mexico, in violation OF solemn treaty slipuia.
lions, and oil every principle OF justice recognized
By civilized nations, commenced hostlitles, and
thus. by her own aci, forced the war upon US
Long before the advance OF our army 10 The leit
bank OF Inc Rio Grande, we had ample cause OF
war against Mexico, and had the United States
-esored 10 this extremity, we might have appeal
ea 10 the whole civilized world for The justice OF
our cause.
II deem ii 10 be my duty 10 presen, 10 you, on
the presen, occasion, condensed review OF the
injuries We had sustained, of the causes which led
10 the war, and Of It's progress since ito COM
mencement This is rendered the more necessa-
~ because of the misrepresentation which have 10
some extent prevailed as 10 It's origin and true
character. The war has been represented as I'M
just aud unnecessary, and as one OF aggression on
our par. upon weak aud injured enemy. Such
erroneous views. though entertained by but few,
hare been widely and extensively circulated, moi
only AZ home, but have been spread throughout
. Mexico and the whole world. A more effectual
means could moi have been devised encourage
the enemy and protracl The war than 10 advocate
and adhere to their cause, and thus give them
laid Ind comfort"
"Itis source Of national pride and exulalion,
that The great body OF our people have thrown no
such obstacles in The way Of the government in
prosecuting the war successfully, but have shown
themselves 10 be eminenily patriotic, and ready 10
vindca,e their country's honor and interests al
any sacrifice. The alaeriiy and prompness
with which our volunteer forces rushed 10 The
held on their counlry's call, prove not only their
patriotism, but their deep conviction that our
cause is Just"
Is there here any attempt to interfere with the
liberty Of the press or of speech7 The Presden,
pays jus, tribute 10 The patriotism of The great
BODY OF The people-bui he adds, that The course
Of few, in taking sides against their own go
rerrment, by expressing their views Of the war
as unjust and unnecessary, and as one Of aggres-
sion on our part against a weak and injured enc
my, which views have been widely and extern
sively circulated, not only at home bu, Throughout,
Mexico and The whole world, are The mos, effec-
tnal means 10 encourage the enemy and pro,fact
the war-and thus, in The language OF the Consti-
tuition, give them "ad and comfort" Who viii
deny the truth of this proposi,ion7 Who will de-
ny, that the factious language Of some of the
Wing journals has been referred to in Mexico it.
'eltb as an encouraging indication that our people
were divided among themselves, and that this
ase impression has induced the Mexican Co.
'eTnmenl 10 persist in it's mad career2 This part
o. The message then, is but an enunciation Of the
nun, and it was dueto patriotic people TO point
70 The mischievous fact and to appeal TO the
American feeling to counterfeit it. lie, him
whom The cap fits, wear it," We are glad that
me number is SO small-but the eyes OF the coun-
ny ought to be directed to them, as pursuing a
course which may result, in mischief 10 The ma
hon, and 10 the cause of peace.
In the last war with England, The justice Of
which no one will now dare TO gainsay, The Fee
eefai Party heaped the same abuse upon our own
aaoson, as having produced an "unjust and
oamnable war" The authors OF these calum-
A'' were rebuked by the popular voice, and they
.'sshamed into silence The present war with
.i'tlco is based upon The strongest and most JUS
..0e e.ounds, for The simple discharge of his
1oy' PRESIDENT Polk has been covered with
aOu'e. But the country is With him, and, when
"ue snall have its play, when party passion shall
'00s'de and history shall record with its iron pen
'ae stirring events of the present day, similar jus
Voc VIII De done TO this Administration, and its
' Opponents, who now charge their own coun-
n,,. ."a "aegrsss'ons upon Mexico" and de-
\. ss.. 'ae unjust and unnecessary war;" will
cl.n .'''eu oy public sentiment 10 recaul their
,av u'nancislions. !, is for the people TO
DIV. t. mu.'nef, In moment of war, those who
in,,s.;. a'a eoanlo'l' TO the enemy, by virtually
nnh,;. 'as mat enemy, should not be rebuked by
Paollc indignation
aie The ardent advocates Of The free
y" 0' speech and Of the press; we would