Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-06-18

An unjust and unnecessary war is the dismal
offspring Of national insensibility, sleeping
the conscience in iorgetfulness, and unken-
melting the foul brood of murder. rapinc, and
rape. How then must we regard the acts in
the present war! Have they any cxtenuaiion
beyond the sanction Of mortals. like ourselves,
who have rIshly undertaken to direct them :
The war is crime, and all who have parta-
ken in the blood of its well-fourht fields have
aided in its perpetraiion. 1t is a principle Of
military law, hat the soldier shall not qups-
ton the orders Of his superior. If this shall
eNonerale the army from blame. it will be on
" 10 press with accumulated weight upon the
government, which has set in motion this ter
rible and Irresponsible machine.
The True Honor or tie Country,
1t is certainly more than doubtful, whether
any true honor can be achieved, even in the
successful prosecution of such a war. The
victories OF Injustice can never be sources Of
graduation or pride. The sympalhies of good
men cannot be surrendered TO acts of wrong.
The heart of all Americans beats responsive
to the brave but vain efforts Of the Poles, to
save their unhappy country from dismember-
mcnt nor can we dwell with satisfaction up
on Russian valor, triumphant in "A war Of
spolidtion. Perhaps the partiallties of pdtrl-
otism may prevent us from applying to our
own conduct, the stern Judgment which we
award to foreign aggression but we cannot
hesitate in recognizing Justice, whether IN In
dlvIdualS or nations, as an essential element
in every act worthy Of true honor. Nor can
perseverance, in wrong be a duty, under any
circumstances, either with individuals or ma
tons. Its abandonment may sometimes cost
a struggle of worldly pride, but it is required
alike by consid e~raiions of Justice and magma
nimity. In retrea,ing from positions of error,
true honor is to be earned, greater far than
any by success in unjust war.
Duty to arrest Tie Uar.
Such IN opportunity Of honor is now open
to the country. by earnest efforts TO arrest the
present war. Ii is unbecoming a Christian
people to plunge farther in crime; nor can
any just sentiment of patriotism sanction what
Christianity disowns. We have been told
to seek an honorable peace by the sword
Our true course should be TO stay the havoc
of the sword, and TO strive not to conquer a
foreign people, but the dangerous spirit Of
conquest which RACES in the bosoms Of our
own citizens. We are the aggressors from
the beginning. We have invaded Mexico as
much as Great Britain invaded cur own coun-
try in the war of the Revolution. Il say
again. said Lord Chatham, in bringing for
ward a motion, in l7T6, to put a stop to y
merican hostiliiies, this country has been the
aggressor. You have made descenis upon
their coasts; you have burnt their towns,
plundered their country, made war upon the
inhabitants, confscated their property, pro-
scribed and imprisoned their persons. ! do,
therefore, affirm that, instead Of e~xacting UNI
conditional Suk,n,isEion from the poInnips- we
should grant them unconditional redress
WIAdratUai IF tie Forces.
We should not fail to insist upon the with
drawal of our forces from Mexico, within
the acknowledged limits of the United States
so soon as the same can be done, With due
egard to the well-being Of the troops. Let
them return home, ror longer continue as the
agents of injustice. Such a retreat will be
an act Of truer lustre than any victory in such
a war.
Duty TO stop the Supplies.
Another duty. Of great practical importance
is to withhold all supplies, or voluntary con-
tribution, to the further prosecution Of the
war. This is particularly incumbent upon
Congress, in whom is vested by the consti-
tuition the power TO declare war. Every new
vote Of supplies is a flesh sensation of the
war; it is another 'declaration.' The pro-
prie,y of Withholding supplies has been some
times questioned under our constitutions
1t has been said, that, when the country finds
itself in war, no matter how, it is the pro
vince of Congress to furnish the means TO
carrying it on. But this assertion conIound.
the opposite duties in wars of offence, and o
defense. In the latter alternative, Congress:
,y,rll Ia, boartil,r custainal hu tho ponnla II
any appropriations; but it cannot be Just 0
proper to supply the means of offenc
against a neiphbor. The objection also as
sumes, for the President. powers beyon
any ordinary control. If Congress mus
blindly vote supplies, without Judging of tn
justice or necessity of the war in which the
are to be employed, then may the President
when the war-power has once been putt
motion, push his aggressions without hinC
rance. Who can stop his march Of conques
if the bare existence of war be a sufficient eN
cuse for an unqueStionable vote of mean
for its maintenance or its vigorous prosec,
ton?
1t is sometimes said, that Congress mul
vote the supplies, and then hold him respoI
sible! Where is the gusge and measure
responsibility for an unjust war2 Who ca
estimate the responsibility for all the accun
, ulated deaths and sorrows ofthe present col
test! Where is the scale by which it ca
r be determined Hold him responsible :
5 Thus may TIE dogs of war be let loose, pre-
vided only that their keeper is held to strit
account for all their havoc I! But the life
! the humblest soldier in the camp is preciou
beyond any human accountability
The constitution of oul country is not oil
n%oNious to any Interpretation so inconsisteI
with liberty and humanity. Its trainers wei
familiar with the conduct of those staunc
2 Wings of the British Parliament, who refu,
ed TO sanction the unjust war against tn
e colonies, and sought to withhold supplies fc
its prosecution. Il would said Lord Cha
D ham, sell my shirt of my back to assist i
proper measures, properly and wisely col
Quoted; hut / pouid mot part wih a sing
: SHILLING 10 the present ministers. Their plor
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