Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-03-05
ADIouRNMENT OF CONGREss.

its labors, and with it terminated one.half of the
Presidential existence Of James X. Polk. There
have many remarkable events ranspired since
the 29th Congress came into exstence-eyents
that will render its history and the history Of the
present Administration conspicuous in all future
time;-not for any thing good and cnnobling, but
for much that is base, degrading, deteriorating,
and heinous. With il a new impulse was given
10 the affairs of the nation. The path formerly
followed, with such ample success, by the faith
ers Of the Republic, has been lost sight of; and
we have been rushed, headlong, into experiment
after experiment, each one more reckless than its
predecessor, until the affairs of Government are
brought to perfect sland,-its Treasury render
ed bankrupt, and its bonds hawked about the
streets of our eastern cities, begging for pit
tance TO keepthewheelsof Of Governmentin motion.
All this has been brought about in the space Of two
years. And for what purpose? Our Govern
ment has been plunged into war--at no time a
war of defence or necesslty,-in every aspect
that we can view it, a war of aggression-awar of
plunder-a war of robbery-a butchory of hu-
man beings for the sole purpose Of taking pos
sessionof their homes and fresdes-of violating
their religon-their churches--ther wifes, and
their daughters;--a war in which the sickness of
the climate-the diseases peculiar to the country
cut off five men to one that falls by the sword
or bayonet. Our army has been marched into
neighboring public-without cause or provo
cation-without necessity or law-without even
plausible pretext, and without deigning to in
| form US for what cause. That war is still wa
ged, and for what purpose? This question has
been asked, time and again, but never satisfacto-
riIy answered. The doctors do not agree in their
prescriptions and the patients arc left in a guam
dary. An impression is gaining ground that the
disease will cure itself, and the services Of the
quacks are no longer necessary.
The objects and aims of the Administration
are beginning to attract the attention of the peo-
ple;-its designs upon Mexico are being freely
discussed;- its frivolous pretences are closely
scrutinized;-and disposition to bring the pres
ent state Of affairs to a termination is fast gain
ing ground. But how is this to be accomplish
edl If the northern members of Congress have
stood frm-if they have disregarded Presden-
tial dctation and official patrouage-ii the pros
pcct of q fat office has not seduced them from the
path of duty-if the Wilmot proviso has been
adopted in each House of Congress; then, in
deed, the war may be considered as already en-
ded-the object for which it has been waged is
cut ofF,-the noble stand taken-and the induce
: ment to continue the war will no longer exist
The moment that Congress declares that any ter.
ritory acquired during the war must be free terri
tory the war is in effect closed. 1t was not COM
menced for that purpose, and if confined to such
limits, it will not long continue. But if Con-
gress has faltered-if such a provision has fail.
ed-if the prospect is still held out that any ter.
=, ritory of which Mexico may be robbed will be a
nursery for slavery; then thewarmay be regarded
as yet inits sinrancy. We will goonrobbing, plum
a dering, numbering, and butchering for months, il
S not years TO come. An unrighteOus, murderou'
! and desolating war will be continued for the pur.
: pose of extending theprecints of slavery-of riv
: citing its calling chains upon people now free
the treasure of the nation will continue 10 b.
squandered, the blood of the people spilled, ant
: their morals sapped, for the purpose of fostering
this already pampered and overgrown evil; al
u extra session of Congress will, in all probability
) be called, and the present deplorable condition o
G affairs will continue for an indefinite period;-
u living monument of infamy to its concoctors, AM
s a foul and indelble blot upon our history.
As yet we are in the dark, but hope that in
S few days the fog will be cleared away, and tho
: we will be able to see our position clearly.