The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-03-08
Ctle Datlp &pp.
ORCEST Err:
MONDAY, MARCH s. l847.


~ The "Spy,'' unintentionaly, doubtless,
misrepresents our position In reference TO the
war. We have never advocated the refusal of
supplies for its prosecution, as an Independent
proposition. We did and do still contend that
men and means should not be furnished, If their
grant will result in the extension of slavery. =
But, when the South shall reIlnquish this design
of sectional aggrandizement, which is nowhere
warranted by the Constitution, we shall advocate
any measure OF whatsoever nature, that may
conduce to the termination OF hostilites. Ii the
South chooses to assent to the Wilmot Provlso,
our hostility will be disarmed. Or II the scheme
of slave extension shall be disowned in any 9TH
er authoritative manner.
We are no less socitous, now than ever, to
procure, or if necessary, to 'sconquer peace"
The professed objects of the war are now left
out of sight il they again made our basis OF
the national policy, we shall resume the former
attitude The patriot should sustain the wars of
the United States, when constitutionaly declared
but he is in duty bound to oppose any and
cry measure which contemplates the aggrandize-
ment of one portion of the confederacy at the ex-
pense of the aggregate interest.
The "Spy" has announced premise as our
conclusion. Will it oblige us by rectifying, at
the same time, its distortion of our logic and mis-
apprehension OF our meaning
Certainly, if, in any thing, msrepresented the
Egis, it unintentional, and we have copied the
above article entire that the editor may define his
position. The paragraph which gave rise the above
was published In the Spy, last week, and was as fol-
lows -
u The Egis expresses the opinion that it is the du-
~ Of the patriot TO withhold supplies for the prosecu-
ton OF the against Mexico and says that the sec
tond objects involved in its continued prosecution make
denial Of men and means plain and Imperative
We have already said that we did not intend to mis-
represent the Egis. We think, now, that our article
would not convey to the an erroneous impression
of the opinions of that paper. But will leave that
for others TO judge. The opinions which intended to
embody in the above paragraph, contained in the
following extract which we make from article on the
duties of citizens, in the Egis of Feb. II.
"Our view however, will have no reference 10 the f
ture conduct OF the Mexican war, since, in the aspect
which that contest presents, of struggle for the
sion OF slavery consider that il has at length become
the duty of the patriot TO refuse supplies for
ed prosecution Whatever may have been the charac-
Ter of this war in It's inception the sectional objects in
volyed in Its continued prosecution, make denial of
men and means plain and imperative"
We did not of course intend to convey the idea that
the Egs advocated the refusal of supplies for the pros
ecution Of the war, Independent proposition The
whole OF paragraph taken connection, would not
give that impression. That he did advocate the refusal
for any reason whatever, was the only point which we
considered Of any Importance 10 present In that
point, is embodied principle, which we deem very i'm
portant and which is coming to be more generally re
cognlzed, than it has been at some former periods If
the Hgis may oppose the granting of supplies for one
reason, others may oppose 1t for another, especially if
that other be stronger and imperative one If
the Egs may oppose the prosecution of the war;
ly because in the object sought TO be attained by those
who prosecute il, sectional wrong is done, with how
much greater may others oppose it, when they
believe that crime of almost every kind is involved in its
prosecution and in the objects for which 1t prosecuted
By opposition, do not that active opposition
which brings the citizen conflict with his government
but the refusal of any voluntary CO operation with IT, in
what he believes 10 be wrong.