Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-02-24

,es to that river would have been Jus. /
iifed by the sternest dictates Of self |
defence. The attack, being inevitable,
1 was for US 10 choose where 10 re-
:eive il; either within our own from
ier, or within that of our opponent.
Such is the law Of nations, and such the
practice of nations. IL
But, sir, passing from the causes to the
conduct Of the war, another broad field of
controversy has been opened to US. We
are attacked along our whole line. The
reasons, the measures, the motives, the
objects of the administration are equally
called into question. do not Aatter my
self, that any views ! can present will in
fuence the final judgement which the
Senate and the country must pronounce on
this great controversy; still, have form.
ed an opinion for myself, and desire brief
ly to state the considerations on which it
is founded.
In order justly to appreciate the proba-
BILE results Of this war, it is necessary to
look back upen the condition of the coun-
try at its commencement. What was that
commencement? A sudden attack precp.
itated Mexican army upon detachment
of American troops. Twice were the as
sailants repulsed. and twice was the honor
OF our arms maintained, and two brilliant
victories were gained under circumstances
which no American can recall without Q.
motions Of pride and patriotism. We had
made but inadequats preparations for such
an aggression, Its scene was also 1000
miles from the seat of government. Our
whole army, Of which only portion was
on the frontier, did not exceed 1000 men,
scattered along the coast and interior
boundary of this great republic. And
what spectacle was exhibited when the news
of this aggression broke upon the public
ear? The citizens of Greece and Rome,
in the brightest days of those republics,
never brought to the altar of their country
better or prouder sacrifices. There was
one universal burst of patriotic devotion.
More than 100000, men enrolled to
themselves, and asked to be permitted
march to the battle field, and, if necessary.
to die for their country. ! have seen the
conscription in Europe, by which armies
are kept up, and freedom is kept down;and
1 have attended the drawing to ascertain
the circumstances accompanying it. And
a melancholy exhibition it is of the power
on one side, and of repugnance on the 9th.
or. The young men are collected at the
place assigned for this lottery of life.-|
Their numbers are drawn in succession,
and they await the result with almost fear
full anxiety; as great calamity is always
awaited by those on whom it may fall, and
who are yet ignorant where it will strike,
and where it will spare. And the exulta.
aoa Of those who escape, and the deprsss.
on Of those who do not, are strikingIy dis
layed, not only by the parties themselves,
ut by their immediate connexions, who :
company them, and await the result with :
n apprehension scarcely inferior to their (,
wn. ::
But here, sir, there was none Of the ma :
hinery by which unwilling citizens are
lade conscripts, and conscripts are made =
nwilling soldiers. As | remarked on an y
;casien, at the first tap Of the drum, at the :
rst sound of the bugle, the country rose :.
arms-the artisan left his tools where y
, had used them-the farmer his plough y
the furrow-the employments of life "
ere abandoned-and spectacle passed Al
'iore our eyes, unseen in modern times T
has been computed that almost half a :,
illion of men appealed to their govern. -
ent for the privilege Of participating in " :,
sindieation of its honor, and in the de. % %
nee of their country. " ~
Should this war terminate tomorrow with. - =:
i indemnity, either pecuniary or terrific. 20 20
trust it will not-I should still + +
nsder its results richly worth all thew =,
we cost. regret the expenditure of ~ ~
'ney It has occasioned, and deplore the ~ ~
rs oflife-of much precious life-which -, ~
been so freely poured out in its prose- ~ ~
ton. But that treasure has been well .. ..
ent, and that life nobly sacrificed. We W.
're not truly known to the nations of the - -
rid. Our industry, indeed, our enter. ~
ise, our spirit Of maratme adventure, had =;
ociaimed themselves in the most distant W
glons, wherever the seas were whtened ~
our canvass, or ploughed by our keeIs. ~ !"
q mat wherever was everywhere. But -
had been at peace for a considerable " "
rtlon OF century; our deeds of military g. ..
owess had been forgotten; our capacity gl
her to defend ourselves or to assert onr w w
,hts and honor by arms, was almost IN. re Re
own, and where regarded at all, was re. vi vi
rded as feeble in itself, and feebly exert. p p
But this delusion has passed away; il ~ ~,
IS been dispelled by the three victories. ~ ~
lined over vastly superior numbers, and o. O.,
companied with circumstances of gal. ~ ~
ntry and military skill which will ever " "
AXE them memorable at home, and &c. VI u
lowledged proofs Of American prowess a. =, q
oad. We are redeemed. We take our w w
ltion among the nations of the earth, will. os G
lg to DO right, and able to command il - =
enceforsh, duringt this generation, at least y, ~
1erever our banner isBofne, ,ty land or bv =. =,
:, It will be pointed to as the national y .
lblen Of people who have done those :. -
eds which give character now, and secu- ns re
Y hereafter. - ~ nee
lat rtr A. II