New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-05-22
cate her, if possible, from this mos. deploable con

fanaiical Abohtionist, who with all his disclaimers
canno, conceal the delight with which he contem.
plates an event, pregnant, II his opinion. wiki the
mort dire mischief political Institutions and
equally above that false conservatism which would
prostitute the most holy name OF patriotism 10 the
qualification OF the NOS, animal feelings Of our re-
If we truly love country il must be man
Tested in true sorrow for her condition whatever
party may have placed her in the wrong POSITION.
and however much her present Circumstances may
prove our own political sagaciIy or the wisdom OF
the opposing measures which may have advo-
Gated. An efio n mus, be made 10 preserve her
istence in all lis integrity her from course
which mus; make God her enemy-;o preserve her
morals and her true honor pure end uniarnished
This however, would require very different
method of proceeding from ihs. pointed ost by the
noisy, criminal patriotism which we have alluded
II our country is in the wrong, first Of all things
must she be set right II she has been guilty Of
injustice toward another and especially weaker
nation first Of all should she retreat from position
which, in the end, must be more iniarous 10 herself
than 10 any other power; and then should she offer
the most equitable and ample reparation. 1t those
who have the control of her actions refuse 10 DO
this every should obey the laws-every man.
when called upon by authority should honestly.
and even the shedding OF blood, perform al acts
which il commands, on The principle OF the advice
which the Evsngelis! tells us was given 10 the III
curing soldiers and in omission 10 what We are
clearly tod is Divine ordinance; but al the same
time we do not hesitate 20 affirm. however paradox
cal the sentiment may appear that every true pat
riot who believes his country in the wrong, should
most earnestly desire that she may be baied in the
unjust aggression and. If other means are avail
able that with the least loss of life and with the
leas, OF other injury, she may be driven from her
false and unjust position.
The same principle may be applied TO all our So
cia relations. Is friend or brother clearly in the
wrong-ihere is nothing which true affection anda
true friendship should more sincerely deprecate than
ultimate in that wrong the direst injury TO
the object for whose moral and spiritual, as well as
natural good, we should feel the deepest interest.
The Masses Mr.. Editor may be opposed 10 such
doctrine as this, and yet. methinks, it requires no
great amount OF moral courage 10 condemn that
vulgar and irrational feeling which is now clamor
ing so loudly for the chasisement of Mexico. Ii is
only by perversion OF all language and OF all truth
that such feeling can be said 10 have any real re-
gard TO the Nations true honor and TO its highest
In the ends for which i, was established By
God.
For the sake OF our argumen; have assumed
the point that we are in the wrong. We address
ourselves to the many thousands in the land w no be-
lieve that our course has been OF injustice and
aggression, and yet have not the trmness 10 resist
the influence which makes them appear 10 wish
success TO the injustice. To all such there may be
proposed very simple yet conclusive train of
reasoning If IL 10 our duty TO stand by our country
when In the wrong I'VE mean In the va gar sense of
the MAXIM then certainly must il be much more
the duty of the Mexicans TO stand by their country
in the right. According 10 the common interpre,a-
ton Of the maxim, this would have been true even
if she were in the wrong. Even in this latter case
the Mexican Newspaper would be discharging
high duty in calling upon their codntrymen 10 arms
and their authorities TO precipitate hostites The
Empire Clubs in the City OF Monezuma would be
justified in making great display of their patriot
ism as their antagonists in New YOrk The Next
can people would be justified in raising the cry
oar CoUatry r1plt or frr0ng. The Mexican
Congress would be justified in voting ten millions
OF dollars and raising fifty thousand men, and ii
would be dshonorable and unpatrioic in any one
OF them 10 propose retreat, or any terms OF peace
until the enemy had been compelled 10 sue for re-
Cancellation. Certainly, If this be patriotism with
it must likewise be patriotism in Mexico, and
that too according 10 the maxm) whether they
are in the RICH; or in the wrong. fou have JusI
ly said, Mr. Editor, that 1.-TWO wrongs cannot make
right" but here we have stranger paradox still
two rights in state OF most direct and polar an
tsgonism; and yet such is The inevitable result of
doctrine that has even been advocated by clerical
gentleman Ut OF our religious anniversaries
What greater injury can there be 10 individuals or
to nation. than such an unsetiing of eternal prin
cpes-the very foundations on which NIL law, and
all government, and all true security for ktrndn
rights be safely grounded What guaranty
for individual justice, or the maintaining OF rights
between man aud man, when such code OF nation
With all our objections 10 Mr.. Calhoun. can
not help honorne MIN for the noble stand be has
taken in vindicaton Of the Constitution, and his
monstrance against lis violation greater injury
than any i'll success in More than for ali other
acts Of his life. do we admire Daniel Webster for
the declaration that he would ress, an unconsti,u-
tional proceeding, although the enemy should be
laundering al the gates OF the Capitol. II then
is maintained by these our greatest minds, the saliva
ZION or loss OF CITY, or the defeat OF an army. or
even the disastrous termination Of war, is less
evil than violation OF our fundamental law, how
much more deadly must be the injury when there is
hailed with universal appreciation, maxim. which,
in the spirit in which il is generally put forth would
assail the government OF the unlverse,-yea, the
very foundations OF the throne OF God There is
no need Of protesting moral courage in the inter-
ance OF sentiments clearly right. Better far bet
ter, that our armies should be defeated cities
burned our country overrun by hostile troops, ana
that We should even be despoiled OF every thing
bat bare and BUNDLED national existence than that
the true National life and the true National glory
should be infected with the deadly Communication OF
such maxim, universally received and approved
principle OF political action. Any defeat any
humiliation IN right cause, Is 10 be chosen and de-
sired rather than success IN wrong. 1--we have been
guilty OF injustice toward Mexico, (snd we Ges-
soning now with lha! large class who admit that (
this is the case although they most iooshly SUI
fering themselves 10 be placed IN false position oy
TO admit of Any discussion We should not waii. /
as some have said until coHg4er The injured par
IT, before our sense Of National Honor will allow
10 do right; bat we should ST once honorably and I
magnanimousiy perform that most heroic Of all
achievments-coRqasr oarselves, and attain the glo
rious ttumph Of doing right or TO lake the view
most favorable 10 our own side exercise generous
forbearance toward e weak and crippled adverse
". who, granting that she may have been the /
first asssiant, had yet say the least suffered what
we would have regarded slight provoca;ion-
Whal sublime effect might such course have up
on the moral desiinies OF nation and OF The /
world What rishi.ihinkiug nsn can avoid feeling
deeply humblei nol only for his country bu; for his
race, when. instead OF proceeding 50 eodhke, al
classes and all parties yieins with each other,
with loudest professions OF g patriotism rs hollow /
and as hypocritical as II IS unjust
Although mos, heartily approving, Mr.. Editor, OF
your general course on this question, caaro: con-
cur IN one sentiment, which. in The warmth Of feel I
ing. you have expressed. Whether intended or
moi. Won appear in one remark. 20 teach resistance
10 unjus, proceedings on The past OF Government
Such s, leas; wopd seem 10 be the fair inference
when you speak of obeyins God rather Khan Man /
J., chewing the regularly organized Government {