Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-06-26
A LETTER FROM Hos. G. J. INGERsoLL.
FonEsr HILL, PHrLAprLpH,. Jusr % 1874


FOREST Hill, PHILADELPHIA, JUsR 90, Is47.
MEssRs. GALES d SEAToS Gentlemen Do me and your
own Poemcs the justice correct by publishing this letter
in your widespread Journal total Misrepresentation imputed
to the Report OF the Committee Foreign Affairs with which
you connect my name concerning the Mexican war.
You Stale that The expression in that report that the
had created an admirable system Of finance worth than
all its charges related ncontes taby to the fl erade sys
TEN of finance and low impos duties"
Now, gentlemen assure You that your ncontesable i'm
putatlon is Papabe Observation-Disclosures anachronsm That
report had no reference whatever to free trade duties
but to the Independent Treasury, developed by large war ex
pendiures with sound circulation, in or its real repre-
sentative, "by admirable system OF finance"
The tariff of 1916 into operation till the first Of
December the Independent Treasury the first of January
last report on the Gath of February could hardly anc-
pate the effect of free trade low duties But the proDd
explosions and dscedt of the banks had in good
already remedied dstempered circulation, which the Inde
pendent Treasury Law ensure and improve
was not ready in February to applaud the experiment Of
what called free trade which willing acknowledge
has worked well Tut in small degree owing coin
ency, which is Of itself excellent tariff is the blood Of
the body polite that always revves and establishes gene
raj welfare. Coin, its real representative in strictly CONVEX
be paper rendered familiar through extensive disbursements
Shy admirable system Of finance, is the great improve
ment for which much behoden to the Mexican war;
and to which the Report that you have mistaken REFEREED
nothing else.
You know, gentlemen, perhaps, that voted against the
tariff reform but, before PresdentVAs BuREs recommend
ed suggested the Constitutional Treasury and took an ac-
tive part aery in producing its the law
II was, accordingly, that the report question alluded
consider that act and the act against Mexico the
on the statute book for many years.
! And being now under your arragnment my old friends
let me- instead of standing mute, plead guilty another
your published charges that was in Congress reai-and
| so continue real advocate for with Mexico.
You and served long together in civil but very decided
support Of another war; under trials and have had
reason to repent it.
Our national distemper with Mexico had chronic
ntracabe, probably ncuabe without the heroic remedies
therefore eoiced when Mexico by blows broke mpost-
hume SO long fostering side, and required treatment
secundum arem, with downright old fashioned hosIities.
You and |, well advanced though be, may live
fourishng cnnamoncoored Republic created of military
chaos and increase substituted for sagnaon of
and useful arts peace, goodwill, and prosperity. The
is doing world Of good to both nations
You make much Of bugbear, am half tempted to
think that you mean humbug.
War is among the ways of God to Schemes and
societies for perpetual peace" says Mr. Hallam " are
old early in the twelfth century, and feasible then
as nor."
hope and believe that this is unpopular. The
subtvanean Democrats, which party you reckon
belonging like national honor which philosophers decy
popular nonsense, maintained if need be, in arms.
That villanous saltpete should be digged
Out Of the harmless bowels of the earth,
and forced, "with little grape" enemies.
modern and republican French historian, Mr. Blanc
goes far beyond Mr. Haa. He says that the gain
destroys empires, beles people, agtaes and fills without
enlargng their hearts, degades efaces all idea of
uy Great Britain, counerac that tendency took the
ocean 10 subdue and The ,corld TO conquer"
We shall not go far, it may be, attempt SO much !;
still we must beware of what nearly all the eminent of
Europe reproach with that Chinese degradation which the
great democratic in Samson Agonses deprecates that
ngorous love Of ignobe peace which degenerates into
preference for
/ Bondage with ease to strenuous liberty"
For remember that twenty failing victories are vastly
palua6R They are, like the with England which you
waged so manu the pledges of long and peace
trade and amiy. Not with Mexico alone The war was
not made either by against Mexico alone Both England
and France urged in and for Texas, il would have
occurred And now how the groans of the Britons and
grows OF the French at Of victories to
US over the Atlantic in better than treaty spulaons that
this country again be molesed from or by Europe
Not and grows of the people. No; their nonsense
is with in delightful harmony and strength mniste-
rial envy and press-gang detracton
have half mind, gentlemen and friends add no
tce of what your mistake of my meaning to my
spcakng from that confidential position &C. but perhaps
had better not Disking proacted and ierocous wars
would not prolong by importuaing peace The War,
Treasury and Navy Departments have carried this war
amousy All will hint is, that the Department
of Stale should leave it to them terminate They will do
and better than it can.
Excuse this letter, which am puts much at your
mercy, by means of your daily and powerful journal. But
in future articles laying aside the sentimental poeca and
common idle denuncatons of war, tell cidt harm this
one does You will perceive that regard NATIONAL not
party consideration In that vew and sober earnest please
to tell what harm does either the two countries
am, very respectfully, your humble servant
G. ]. INGERSOLL.