Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-11-18
From the Washington Union.
The War and lis Prosecution.

The following production of vigorous pen pre-
sents reflections which are worthy of consideration
"Times change. and we change with them; :" so
said an ancient many years ago. But the rule. like
all other rules, has lis exceptions There seem to be
wings IN our country who never change with the
times. and who never can adopt agreeable feelings
towards the progressive democracy of the world which
are but other words for the progressive sentiments of
the age.
We do not question the talents of wing leaders, or
their education or party generally, their feeling
OF anxiety for the prosperity of the country But too
many of them are behind the times in their political
notions. They In fact the "stand-stl" party of
the day-the democrats are the 'go-ahead" party.
Ihis to our judgment, constitutes the leading differ
ence between the two parties. The wings forget that
our government Is in itself an innovation upon all
other forms of government, and that our practice
must parake of the principles upon which the gov
eminent is formed. Tmid and cautious to a fault,
the wings full of wise upon the expert
ence of past ages, without rejecting that experience
is IN itself progressive sentiment, pointing out the
new roads which governments may travel with safety
and advantage The notions Of the democratic party
also founded upon experience but is the expe
rlence OF more recent perlod-an experience invol
wing IN lis reasoning the improved condition of man
and his better knowledge of human capabilities and of
human rlghts-an experience progressive in It's char
acter and important in its consequences. These no
tlons have taken strong hold of tie American peo
pie, and have therefore been generally sustain
ed. They derived from the principles of the
voutlOn of l776, and have been successfully sustain
ed by the practice of our government from that day
to the present hour. They are, in fact, American
tendencies and American sentiments 1t matters not
therefore, who shall fill the executive chair: if lie
run counter TO these tendencies the democratic ten
denotes oil the country and OF the age, he will find
himself embarrassed In his course, and Obliged either
| TO change TO do nothing
These tendencies those of the nation, decidedly
entertained by masses of the opposition. The
opinions of the nation will and should govern execu-
tive and legislative action. Executives End egisa-
tors are but their exponents in country. There
fore, no executive Legislature oppose these ten
denotes and last They constitute the great principle
upon which our government is founded, and one must
either respect that principle abandon the govern
ment They constitute the power to which must
submlt-a power of public opinion These tenden-
cies may be checked for a time-Inay be somewhat
| limited by opposton-may be enlightened and i'm
proved, aye, and strengthened by discussions, which
opposition shall provoke; but they cannot be over
thrown, because they are built upon "rock"-the
rock OF progressive improvement and ameoration of
the condition Of The great human family. And what
these discussions, but appeals TO that very power
which we have indicaied-the power of public opn-
ION The very appeal acknowledges the supremacy
OF that power, and is effort to gain the mantle Of
its strength.
But few years since, the wings made their great
appeal to public opinion, under the banner Of their
popular leader-himsef great man. Wing ascen-
dency was prophesied and seemed highly probable
We were then travelling through much of the north
and west and, to Judgment. il appear red one
time that the wings would succeed Just at that time,
the acquisition of Texas thrown into the yield
ing scale of the democracy. We all recoect the
change. 1t was apparent, decided overwhelmingly
| nrn and in md theo Ia
SLEW up and kicked the BEAM" The nation then
determined upon this acquisition. 1t determined to
carry out the great principle of progressive improve
ment and extended empire Of freedom. The nation
decided upon annexation, and Congress, in consum-
mating the measure, but obeyed the direction of the
patton Look into the discussion of this question in
Congress- many votes of the House were in the ne
gative, because of the manner only not of the mat
ter. And, In the Senate, the manner great
i cause OF Tie close vote. The manner offended the
self-love of the Senate, by invoking the aid of the
House upon measure which several of the Senate
considered exclusively an executive measure. Since
then, however, how many of our public men have
come before the people apOlogetic of their opposition,
or claiming the merit of u more hearty concurrence
than then rendered. These things show the
strength of public opinion and the necessity of yield
ing to lis directions. That opinion then onward
and progressive and has rather, since that day. in
creased than abatcd in its energy.
But It may be said, this acquisition the cause
Of the present war. Ostensiby it seems SO but in
reality il was no adequate cause; and, alone, il
would never have produced the Admitting,
however, FOR moment, that the is a consequence
of the annexation of Texas: what then will follow
That in carrying out the decided wishes Of the ma
ton, has been created-a of continued
successes 10 arms without single disaster de-
feat Victorious everywhere, the peoples has
sustained the peoples opinions with of glory
and proofs of and hitherto without n
parallel. Now does any one believe that the people
will back from such war; or that the next con-
gress however wing it may be by accident, Eve here
allude to certain remarks In some whg Journals, }
will venture to insult the just pride and elevated char
acter of the nation, by withholding the supplies which
the requires, will venture tc the
tive into retrograde and disgracefu movement
Will congress endeavor 10 make our nation a laugh
ng-stock to the world, and give to feeble, beaten
and faithless enemy, triumph over us Will il
venture to strike the flag of the stars and stripes be-
fore the banner of people whose folly and ignorance
have provoked just chastisement. and who are inca
pabe of approaching the magnanimous and concia-
tory offers which have been so frequently made tc
themi We do not believe it possible, and shall moi
believe possible until the proof be before eyes
IT, them congress do not withhold supplies. coerce
the executive TO a retrograde movement offensive Il
the Just pride of the nation. what they do that the
executive need fear The people would neither for
give endure measures Of the kind which have
been threatened. Wing leaders must study other thar
English precedents. Wars with that nation of
ten of minister, and the people opposed to thu
war can minister by withhold supplies
Wars with us are the wars Of the people, not of
minister and we have yet to see an attempt OF coer
Give action of congress upon the people. These arr
questions not beyond the apprehension of man gener
ally and the of the nation is adequai'
. to master them; and We rely upon that common sens