The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-07-04
Cassius M. CLAW.

Our last number of the "Truc American"
the paper of which Cassius NJ. Clay is the ed
itor aud proprietor, contains the following lea
ding article, in which he assigns the reasons
that have induced him to buckle on his arrnor,
and engage himself in the armies ofhis coun-
try, in the war with Mexico.
TO OUR READERS.
We have volunteered for the war, and will
say word, in parting to our friends.
We have denounced uusparingly the an
nexation of Texas, as n boldly hugitioIIs
scheme, and war with Mexico as kindred
with that disgraceiu and degrading act-dc-
grading alike TO the Government that consum-
mated, and the people that submitted to it.
TIE one is perfected; Texas, unfortunately
is part of our Union. The other rs Just be-
gun. That the war with Mexico might east
~ have been avoided-that the commonest
regard for justice, and moderate share Of
prudence, on the part of the Government,
could have prevented it's palpabe rs the
dny.
But though this be so. we cannot change
the fact. Unr crisis. Il has been declared by
Government chosen by the people them
selves. We submit, therefore, as good citi-
zcns, TO the law ofthe land, and give that gov
ernnent our support. Resistance TO it now
would be rebellion; if general, anarchy, in its
worst form, would he the result.
Congress, as well as the country, is of this
opinion. The Wings, predicting the result
long ago, have steadily opposed the policy
that led 10 this war; yet when it was forced
upon them, and hoStilities avowed, they rail-
he'd as one man in support ofthe government.
| The preamble TO the resolutions in Congress
declaring that war exists by the act of Mex
leo, is lie--a nefarious trap set by dena-
gogues to catch their opponents. As such
we have denounced aud do denounce it, but,
making this protest, we should have done as
the Wings did--have voted whatever supplies
of men and money were asked for, holding
the President responsible before the country
and the world.
Our opinion is, that the war, so uniustly
and wickedly begun, should he pressed with
vigor. 1t is the only alternative left. Clouds
and darkness, in consequence, rest upon our
path in the future: but it has to be trod. We
act upon this necessity, and do not hesitate to
support the Governmental peril all 10 sllS-
tam i;-tor we war not against the South,
nor the people ofthe South, but against slav-
cry; and when there is a common foe in the
field, and the summons comes TO the citizen
soldier, we know, and can know but one coun-
try and one duty, and would not urge anoth-
er to go where we are not willing ourselves
to lead
But in taking this step, we shall neither shut
our eyes To avile and wicked policy, nor close
our lips against the mercenary spirit which
has involved the country in the horrors ofwar,
With our harness on, we feel, indeed, more
unconquerable determination to resist the .gi-
ant cause of all this mischief; stronger will
than ever TO overturn corrupt dynasty, and
and elect as rulers, fieemen who will stand
| hu nd Iafa Nd ha fiaa NDf Tor Of
pie do we give up Not Il hairs breadth of
sentiment, ofopinion, or of opposition, shall
we yield to the curse which, vampire like, is
sucking away the life blood of'the nation, and
which, unless shaken off for ever, will destroy
the Republic, while Cutting its internal lust
The people ofthe United States have a
hard task before them. The public Offices of
the country, these many years, have been
filed, for the most part, by demagogues, who
have sported with the public veal, as children
with their holiday purchases! And paid adj
herents, and hireling press, have labored tc
gloss and glorify their selfshness, and, even
while perpetratimg and perfecting their gigan,
tic schemes of fraud, to embody their names
in the public mind, as The essence of Ameri.
can greatness. We must be purged of this
rottonness. There can be no safety, security
or stability to liberty or property, until we are
Now, as the only constitutional remedy the
people have is through the ballot box, there
must be established sound and healthy pub.
lie opinion, whereby worthy and honest men
shall be put in the places ofthe unworthy and
dishonest. For this end, lot all who are fol
peace and progress-let, especially, every
friend of freedom, TO whatever party he may
belong-unite, and, heart to heart and hand
in hand, labor with lusty sinew and ceaseless
energy, until the CONSTITUTION and UNIvER.
SAL LIBERTY shall be acknowledged of al
men.