Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-07-09
The President as he is.


country into numerous scrapes, and yet
in every case, some providenlial hand
has almost miraculously interlered TO pre-.
vent the peril, which he had provoked,
and save himself, tho author Of it, from
disgrace. Therefore, we say, that he
is the luckiest man Of tho age.
First Of all by his confident and war
like statements in regard to Oregon, he
succeeded in putting tho country into
violent patriotic fever--a host Of frothy
followers, catching the cue from their
worthy master, carried it through the
different stages of this disease and had
not Mexico opportunely afforded field
a temporary target to expend taeir extra
valor on-the Juror would, no doubt,
still bo raging as fercely as ever.
Fortunately the majority of our Senate
are not only statesmen OF talent, but men
Of integrity, and with calm and respect
lul dignity they have opposed tho wishes
Of their belIigerent President, and saved
the country-nay the worId-lrom the
horrors Of war, that would have been,
in all probability, the most extensive
ever waged.
But what have james X. Polk and his
clustering followers accomplished p
They have brought rdiculc and disgrace
upon the Country. BY their claims to
the whole Of Oregon, put forward with
such emphatic confdence--by the avowal
of their determination TO support these
claims-they have led the world to be-
liove that the former was the general
feeling of the American people, and the
latter their mairersaI resolre.
What will the world think, after hav-
ing swallowed Mr.. Cass's gas and Mr..
Aliens vapid declarations, when they
hear that we have agreed to the parallel
Of 40 deg. ; What will Frenchmen,
Germans and Russians-who know moth
ing Of the merits of the case-who are
only familiar with the names 10 deg and
81 deg. 4O'--what will they think and
say Why, that wo have "backod out"
1t is humiiating reflection TO be thus
judged, but We fear it will be, to some
extent, the worlds opinion Of US.
"What do we care" some ono OK
claims, "what opinion these French
men or Germans, or Russians may have
tof us :" But we do care. We. want
the respect ofthe whole world-civilized,
and savage. Character to nation is as
important as to an individual, and to us
doubly so, in the working out our great
destiny-the freedom OF mankind. Who
cares not for tho character OF his coun-
try is a bad man, and worthless citizen.
The next step in tho reckless career
of our President has been TO declare war
against Mexico. Whatever opinions we
may entertain Of the justice of this war,
VIC have but one as 10 the time and man.
ncr of its commencement. This war was
declared when VIC were at the maximum
of our difficulties with Gre at Britain, re-
gardless ofthe assistance and opport rtunity +,
which would thus, in case ofan outbreak
with the latter power, have been afforded
her on our southern and western borders.
The Mexicans would have made q very
different resistance to what they have
done, had they been paid and led by
English officers, and backed by British
cannon.
Fortunately, however, through the
dignifcd moderation of our Senators, and
probably by the intelligent diplomacy of
our worthy minister in London, our
country has been saved the horrors and
expenses Of gigantic war, and james
Il. Polk has escaped what would other
wise have been showered upon him, the
reproaches Of his fellow citizens Of all
parties, from Maine TO Mexico. For this
reason, we say again, that he is The
luckiest man Of the age.
The manner in which this war was
commenced by our President, we look
upon as the creates, )aur pas Of all. lie
placed the gallant Taylor and his little
army in a position Of the most imminent
peril. Who doubts this Many will,
Of course now that they have escaped
from it-but how did they escape by
deeds Of almost unparalleled heroism, and
with tho sacrifice Of nearly two hundred
Of our bravest citizens. The glory of
the action has covered this calamity, and
underneath that glory, and sheltered by
the shadow Of General Taylor's success,
the President has again escaped from
a IL a