Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1846-12-10
MR.. POLK NOT RESPONSIBI
FOR THE WAR.

| ~'"''''o behei"'J '"o'
the country, IN relation to the existing "
with Mexico though, per haps, inconsi
encIes the most palpable in that part|
ought not 10 excite surprise. Every bod
here knows, that when the war was n
nounced as existing by reason of ac,u
hostIlities by The perfdious Mexicans, al
Congress voted almost unanimously
raise men and money, TO carry on The ,va1
the voice of almost every intelligent VIII
in this place and vicinity was in favor
it. They approved the acts of the VIII \
men, bers Of Congress who voted in favor
prosecuting the war, and giving "the ra
caly Mexicans," as they expressed it,
good drubbng."
But since it has been discovered
some federal demagogues that polite
capital may probably be made by oppo
ing the war, the same men of whom
have been speaking have changed the /
voice, and decIaim DANGEROUSLY and wit \
out stint, against 1t. They join mt
seuseless hue-and-cry of the purity, tn
Mr. Polk made the war, and on HIM res
the responsibility and consequences.
That the assertion, originate as it ma
is wholly untrue, must be obvious to eY
rs one who has read the important new
ofthe day, and is not so prejudlced al
blinded by party feeling, as 10 be incap
BILE of exercising his reason and commd
sense. This we will show in few word
And
|. Who does not know that it wi
declared by the Mexicans and federalis
previous 10 Mr. Folks election, that
Texas was annexed to the U. S., it won
be equivalent to war with Mexico Oh
not the great Oracle at Ashland, pr
nounce, immediate annexation, immedia
war?
Annexation, then, was the cause OF Il
war; and Mr. Tyler, the whig.made Pre-.
dent, was the author of annexation.
Texas was annexed before Mr. Polk
presidency; and Of course, his oppose
being judges, he was not the author
the war, and is not responsible for ITS CO
sequences.
2. Who does not know that Almon
declared BY authority of his governed
that the annexation Of Texas would be
garded by Mexico, as war measured
How Their is the President responsible
the war?-anncxation and war havr
been effected by the previous adminislr
ton?
3. The marching cfour army from 4
Nueces to the Ris, Graede,.was MORT
cause of.ihe war; hot only for the tea,su
before givep, busy sssse n Il q weil kaSs
aAaH hs Mes;SS 'rl'fssid sns bSS Rtoeiaim,
var upon tie Haisath sisiss, and actual
coRmenced operations, more than mon
before Gen, Taylor and his army hid
moved foot from the Nueces toward
the Rio Grande. No man Of sense wi
controyert this fact, confirmed as it lor
since was, by Mexican official documen
And the reason ass gned by the MeSc
dictator was, that the American army
posted between the Sabine and the Nucce
not, that old Rough and Ready. and
brave men, were on the Rio Grande.
4. Every body knows, or ought to kno
that aside from annexation, and the occ
pancy of disputed territory by our arm
Mexico had refused to adjust national dI
fcullies by negotiation, and so INSULT
this Nation through its Minister, Nj
SlideIl, that according TO the usage a,
la,v of Nations, war was unavodabl
even if Mexico had not commenced nd
llites in the manner she did. Mr.. Pol
therefore, is not responsible for the wa
We might have added that, as Col
gress, whigs as well as democrats, vote
TO prosecute the ,car even btore the Pres
dent issued his message to the nation th
war actually existed, it proves that NJ
Webster told an untruth, when he sa
that nobody voted for the war;" and ais
lha, The federal clamor about the Pres
dents responsibilities &c. are as groun
ess as they are silly and harmless.
We make these brief remarks to remin
our friends and opposers Of facts whd
are notoriousl y true,- not to defend Ii
President against the malicious attacks
he ederal.Mexican Presses in this coun
y. He needs no such defence. II
character is tower Of strength, The vel
shadow of which, may defy oil such pun
assaults. With ink as muddy as the head
If those who give credence to their m
icious falsehoods, federal editors attem
n vain to bespatter and besmear the y
stainless folds of his official vestute. M
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