Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-19

J
in the worlds history, without superors, in all
that constitutes hish.soued honor and devoted
patriotism.
This is no time for long words or studied ar
cumenis. The hour for Gclt1 has arrived, and
The broad fact siares Us in he face, that We are
actually at war, which is row confined 10 Mexi-
co, bat which NAV spread over an indefinite ex-
tent. Never did We feel les disposed 10 arouse
the spri, Of party. Until The Crisis shall have
passed, we would devole ourselves 10 The country,
and TO that alone. For atme, we would drop
political chickering's; but we confess that we have
experienced modification and Indignation at the
tone of those who, in their parly-blindness, at
tempt 10 throw cold wafer upon The ardent exer-
lions Of the Government, 10 bring the war TO a
speed; and satisfactory esd, if that be possible.
Some Wings see our scouting parties cut down
by The Meyicans, and launl the Democratic
party with The consequences Of Mr.. Folks cleo
ton; that had Mr. Clay >ucccnIcd, Texas would
not have been annexed, and this war would not
have ensucd To such men we have not word
Of reply. Ii is enough 10 say, that Texas is our
own righiful and valuable possession, and that he
who would rip up the controversy for party effect,
al this vital moment, can have no influence upon
patriotic people. Ills declaration carries with
il lis own thorough relutalion.
But there is another and larger portion olihe
Wings who, taking the cue from The Wing lead
els in Congress, assa and condemn the Execu-
tive Tor marching The army ID the banks of the
Rio Grande, and defending me soil which We
claim 10 be our own territory, but which, they rs.
seIt, belongs 10 Mexico Nehavc hut lille fear
nom The elect OF such want oil patriotism and
policy IN condemning The country when il is ac-
tually invaded BY a foreign foe, and thus endeav-
orng 10 place the nSton in the wrong in the eyes
OF The world, and virtually giving encourage
ment 10 the enemies OF the country. The duty
of the patriot now, is 10 support the Executive in
lis efforts 10 avenge The national honor, and not
TO thwau these efforts by party attacks and pre-
mature and unioundcd condemnation. As soon
as the weight of war shall lie removed from the
nation, and the peace, honor and rights OF The
country secured let the Executive be tried upon
lis own merits and deeds, aud il guilty. bc con-
demned BY The country. We have no doubt tina!
such trial will rebound 10 lis complete vindica-
which would step The arm 81 The Executive, aud
impair lis i,ice, when iis best efforts are directed
10 chaslise an insolenl and rcacherous foe
II is no, our object, now, 10 defend the Presi-
dent. But his position in regard 10 our title 10
The territory 10 the Rio Grande was so conclu
sively demonstrated BY Mr.. Douglass OF Illinois
in The House OF Representatives on Wednesday
last, upon the bill making appropriations for the
support Of the army, that We devote consdera
BILE space 10 his mastery exposition oi that point
Distinguished as that gentleman Is ior his gaan
bearing and great power OF argument and sar
casm, his speech on this occasion is regarded ir
Washington as his besl. Noby did he come Il
The rescue Of Texas. when she struggled for adj
mission into the Unon--he has ciiGchci III
nail rs proving heyond all controversy her liiit
10 The Rio Grandc. His resp.ns OF John Gain
c. Adams is capitally done "Ou. q his owI
mouth he has convicted him. His (A.',) auempt
10 evaCe The issues arc laundering and ridiculous.
and marked with The worst temper III The world
Mr.. Douglass was aroused to the slashng wurs
hy the dseracciu remarks o. ,hOze Wings VII,
had voted against the supplies, and particular;
by The infamous declaration Of Mr.. Delano o
Ohio, who asserted, "il the people had any com
mon sense, they would hold responsible the au
thors OF This war, which was concocled in fraud
and was 10 be consummaied in inquiry" Iii.
phisms and misrepresentation OF the Wings il
the Two Houses OF Congress, in regard 10 ,h'
marching OF our troops across what is declared
To be Merriam soil. He leaves them not an lnc:
10 stand uron.
(Ext1Gcts fran Tic Uejs!e)
| Mr.. Douglass next TOOK The floor Severa
members proposed that the committee rise, tina
he might proceed with his speech in the morning
| He declined 10 avail himself OF their courtesy, a.
he had but few remarks TO make and those prin
cipally in reply 10 the gentleman from Ohio, wht
had lust taken his seat, Mr.. Delano.l The gen
,leman from Ohio (said Mr. Douglass has beer
50 kind as TO herald my advent before my arrival
and announce that was about 10 follow him in IN,
debate | suppose that he drew this interenc,
from the fact that took seat near him, and lis
tened to his speech with the most respectful allen
lion Acting upon this suggestion, he has adj
dressed 4 large portion Of MS speech 10 me, an,
/ invited an answer from mc especially To The prin
cipal points in his argument. ! propose 10 era
riiv him in this respec'; AMI while ! shall speat
with freedom and bodne>s 0. his positions an,
arguments, | trust shall observe he same re-
| spcctlul courtesy towards nv opponents which
| has characterized his effort. commend The pa
lrosm, il not The morality Uithe sentiment which
| lie quoted al the beginning, and repeated severa
time. in the course oil his speech: ii 90 for IN,
country, RICH, or wrong" fear, however, tina
this sentiment, once SO much approved by ou
| countrymen, is about 10 b, brought into dis
respect and contempt by the use which III,
gentleman and some Of his coadluo!s are nov
making OF il. They "go for heir country right OF
wrong" but they insist tina; their country IS, anc
has been, all The time in The wrong. They say
that they will support The war; but that, IN then
/ opinion. 'ihc war is unholy, unrishteous and
| dannabic."
Mr. J. w. Houston Who made use OF hal cx
pression} Was IL any gentleman on this side o
The House,
MIR. Douglass Yes, sir. The gentleman
| from Ohio Mr. Dtlanol who has Just taken hi:
seat, made use of The identical words, and repeat
ed them several times with great emphasis in tht
course of his speech, while The great body OF hi:
political friends listened with the most profounc
respect,,and gave every indication OF Appreciation
and encouragement, by expressions, looks, anC
| mods Of assent. | see the venerable gentleman
from Massachusetts before me now mods his ap
prevail OF the sentiment.
MIR. Adams. Yes, sir. Mr.. Chairman, ap
prove and endorse every word and syllable Of II
Mr.. Douglass. So supposed, from The mark
ed indications OF approva which that gentleman
and his friends gave 10 c"e1v attack upon III,
rights, interests, and honor OF his own country
What reliance shall We place on me sincerity O
sentIcmen's professions, that they are for th'
country right or wrong, when they exert all thei
power and influence TO put their country IN the
wrong in The eyes OF Chrisiendom, and invoke the
wrath Of heaven upon US for our manifold ma
.onal crimes and aggressions? With professions
of patriotism on their lips, do they not show tina
their hearts are against their own country? They
appeal 10 The consciences and religious feelings o
our counlrymen 10 unite in e1ecration OF our Go
vernmcnt, army, citizen soldiers and country, fol
prosecuting what they dcnounce as an unholy
unrishleous, and damnable cause. They prcdic
that The Judgment OF Col will resi- upon ns-lha
sickness, and carnage. and death, will be our por
tion-that defeat and disgrace will attend on
arms. Is there not treason in the heart that car
feel AMI poison in the breath that can utter, such
sentiments agains, their own country, wher
forced 10 take up arms in selfdeience, 10 repel in
vason by a brutal and perfdous enemy? They
for their country right or wrong, who tell ouI
people if they rally under their country's stand
ard, their bones will bleach on The plains Of Mexi.
CO, and The enemy will look down from The muun-
tain top 10 behold the destruction OF our armies by
disease and malaras, and all those mysterious
elements Of death which Divine Providence en-
ploys 10 punish wicked peoplc for prosecuting
an NH, lr and nniust war Sir TEL the e gen.