Mobile register and journal., 1846-12-23
MOBILE.
" ednssday Morning, December ea' 1910

Wednesday Morning, December 23, 1sfO
 Nearly the whole wing press is in full cry ID n ihe President for having spsken in his message of the moral effects Of maintaining the side of Mexico iu the existing war Even some presses that conf ss that he makes a nohe defence for American jus tce and houor--and who have declared that every Anrs' riean hsari ought to be with him on that question, flare up in defence of the tight of the an-~ar men to enjoy unlimited license in oppost OIL They charge upon inc President atyrannic invasion of the liberty ofspeech aud illuminate denunoationsag against him for setting up despotism over mems opinions.
 What is 1t that the President did 10 deserve these rcproaches from those who at the same time con- fess that the public question, the justice Of the war he s right. and his opponents are wrong7- II IS of cou'se expected that the ant-war faction should clamor and complain that they are condemn ed, reuted and exposcdi but il IS unnatural and un- reasonable for any impartial supporter of wal and war measures To find ia the message any attempt even at dictation or tyranRy,aor or any thing more than manly appeal 10 his tory argument, and rea- son for the honor of the country and against the cause of Mexico. :. l -..5 -,,.a .o
 The President said truly, that 10 advoca'e the cause of Mexico and to represent the war as unjust and unnecessary, and as one of aggression upon our part upon weak and injured enemy is 10 give raid and comfort 10 that enemy Who doubts itl 1t proposition self.eydent in the nature ofmen and nations. What government is not weakened in war by opposition at home who pronouuce its cause 'unjust, unriahtoous and dnmnabIe''-who declare that il is acting in defiance of the law of na, ,ka .,. L-. .l.. Il. -..L isjusty obnoxious 10 the condemnation of ofmaiRind and the wrath Of Heaven! and who sympal with the enemy the victim of atrocious wrong! and what governmen, engaged in wal would not conceive hopes and proirac its struggles with great CT spirit seeing sympa:hsihg friends and zealots ad vocates in the very bosom of its enemies What elsa bnt aii and comfOrt to Mexico can il be call. ed to disseminate opmious which accuse the govern men' of our own country ofwanton jniiuslce, which at'emptt to rally the feelings ofour own conntrymen in favor of tho Mexcans, oppressed by the wick! ed ambition and cupdity of our own government- and which sometimes go to the length ofsoms New EhRand whlRs of promising that another Congress will Tot vote supplies carry on the war3
 The President made no such references indeed, but he might have done so with perfect truth. He oaly said that these nisspprehe nsions arc abroad as to "the origin anl true oh racter of the war"-that these msapprehenslons lead representations that the war s unjust and unnecess4ry-and that such re- prs'enta''ohstdnd ito encourage the enemy and pro- tract ths war"-and .thst this gives laid and com fort"t 10 the M~ xicans. "''' .'s 's C
 All this is demons'rable and sefevdent. Allcan- did and patriotic men admit II. II touches indeed the pride and inhames ihe resentments of those whose conduct makes them feel these pungent truths appllcableto themselves. They who encouf- age the enemy 10 protract the contest who circulate VOWS of the war favorable to Mexco and who give her tho moral aid and comfort of their sympatbies and good opinion, are irritated al the unyarnished statement of ths position in'whch they cannot but Ind ihemseiscs; but the statement is universal in its truth and il is no fault of Mir Polk that it stines Nor can Il be sad with justice that the reproaches which It implies are wantonly introduced. that ihe application may be made by others ao ihe. anti ,war ~hss The President has dignified and becbminq, ana satisfactory reason for aluding 10 these 'msap prehepslons," and the mschievous effects ofcircua. ting them. IL Is for the honor of The country-the defence ofits good nane among civilized nations.
 
 into nation. of unprinciped tnarauders- that the messaee takes up the history of the war against ils opponents and defsme's IL was good ca,,sea and he 90 assigned it. for giving true history of tho calises of the war, that they had been misapprehepded and misstated 10 the dishonor of the country, and aid. comfort and encouragemeut to Mexico. Hence he undertook and executed that defence of the Ameri. can cause which has extored from all siles except such gro@ers as the Baltimore Patriot and few of the like implacabe parlizans the euogium of being just eoqnen, and convincing vndication of the hon or and justice of tho Uni!eq States, - " ''
 The Prssiien, exercised his right to defend hin,- self snd sustain the honor of his countryand in do- ing so, spoke win moderation, but ndlsputabe truth ofthe injurious effects upon ihe character of the country and the progress of our arms- of the "misspprehensiobs which castiihe aggression upon us and acqut our enemy. Inthis consists the msur- patton; dfe:ation and tyranny charged upon him. as though p the opinion Of lhe wings. the only liberty, that should be allowed the liberty of putting our own country in the wrong; aid the grossest tytan' ny exists in undertaking te defend her cause aud maintain her honora # nais l. : i.,t .n.- ... :. .s,
 Agenerous people will not hesitate to decide that both are alike free to speak what thcy choose, and that all are also free to apply the conduct of each 'he epithet that it may Seem to merit. The deino- efats may call it "moral treason" to give aid and comfort 10 the Mexicans and the whigs are free to call it tyranny to say so and both will stand or fall by the force of facts and arguments by which they can sustain their positions. IL was just so in 1872 and the verdict of that day s likely to be repeated in this