Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-05-07
stake. In our struggle to maintain and defend
the honor of the country bright and untarnish.
"Let names and sects, and parties fail,
And public good be all in all.

"Let names and sects and parties fall
And public good be all in all"
Sir, the awful calamties of war are deeply
to be deplored, and should be avoided as long
as it is possible to preserve a secure and hon.
orable peace, but it should never be forgotten
that peace can never be secure or honorable
when nation betrays pusillanimous aver
sion to war. The war in which we are now
engaged is strictly defensive war, and in
great national crisis like the present it well be-
hooves our country to ''stand upon her watch,
and set herself upon the tower"
| But the President has been denounced for in
volving the country in war with Mexico with
out authority of law. The President of the
United States is no more responsible for for
cling the Mexican war on the country than
Gen. Jackson or any other Chief Magistrate
who preceded him. | think | shall be able
10 show that President Polk is no more ia
blame for the disastrous consequences which
may result from this war than the illustrious
Washington and his compatriots were to blame
for the treachery of Arnold, by which the
American army was near being ruined. The
President is no more to blame for the war
than the old Republican party was to blame
for the treason of Aaron Burr 1t cannot be
denied that long before hostlities commenced,
Mexico had persisted in her predetermined re-
tusal TO adjust the pending difficulties be-
tween the two countries on amicable and
friendly terms, and persmptorily refused to
make any reparatiOn for the spoliations, ag-
gressons, insults, and robberies committed in
violation of all law on our own American cit
liens. And with full knowledge Of the en-
ormous injuries, wrongs, and outrages, inflic-
ted on the persons and property of our fellow
citizens by ruthless and cruel foe, our own
Chief Magistrate is assailed by the wings in
IL,
ulence and malignity as if he had exercised a
prerogalive as arbitrary in its character as
the edict of an imperial despot But fortu-
nately for the cause oftruth and Justice, these
applicable and vindictlve denunciations which
are now SO unsparingly hurled against the
present Administration by factious and re-
vengeful opposition, will ultimately have
most salutary influence in arousing the patri-
otism of the country in favor of that function.
airy In our government, who has so infleXibly
adhered to the true principles of our Govern
ment amidst the ordeal of the most ferocious
and unrelenting prosecutions. The patriotic
eXertlons OF the President in the cause of con-
stitutional liberty, and the noble bearing which
he has displayed in behalf OF his country, will
be remembered with gratitude and pride by
grateful posterty, whilst those who are now
his revilers and prosecutors will
Go dawn to the vile dust from whence they sprung
UnWept, unhOnord, aud unsung."
The official acts of James K Polk will be
Unidentified in history with his great prototype,
the illustrious JACKSON; his fame will trium-
phantly emerge from the clouds which folly
and in Justice are endeavoring to thicken a.
round him. The spirit of detraction may as
sail him, but when the mists of passion and
prejudice shall have subsidized, his honest and
impartial countrymen will calmly review the
designs and expose the fabricatons of those
who would wantonly tear from his brow the
green laurels which encircle it. He will stand
high among the living sentinals, whose en-
lightened vigilance has been tried by tempta-
ton, strengthened by difficulties and quick
ened by continual stratagerns to embarrass
him His advosaries have not yet been able
to attack his impenetrable reputation with any
missiles but assertion without facts, invectve
without proof, and a deep-rooted prejudice
without the patriotism to Justify or excuse it.
Much of the blame that has been attached tc
President Polk for the existing war with Mex
leo, has been brought about by the artful mis-
representations and imfammatory clamors of
the whig partizans. But notwithstanding the
counsels of pref udice, cravings of ambition,
and the serdid, perseverlng anlmosties of en-
Wy and hate. his civic virtues will entltle his
name to be placed by the side OF Cato Fabri-
cius, and Cincinnatus, and other models of
public virtue during the purest ages of the
Roman Republic. President Polk will enjoy
whilst living the esteem and confidence of his
countrymen, and when he dies,
" He i leave his lofty name
A light and landmark on the cliffs Of fame"
The Constitution says: ' The President
shall be COMMUNICATIVE hief OF the Army and
Navy of the U. States" All must admit that
it is the bounden duty of the President to see
the laws of the United States faithfully exc
cuted and to order the American forces to any
point in the Union where danger is threatened
by belligerent foe. 1t cannot be denied that
Congress bad extended the laws of the Uni
ted States over the territory where invation
3 was threatened It cannot be denied that the
5 Mexican army invaded our territory and COM
: menced the murder of American citizens upon
American soil Under such imposing circum-
stances as these the President would have
been Justly chargeable with palpable dere-
LECTION of public duty had he not ordered a
vigorous prosecution OF the war; Would he
have been IustifiabIe in silently permitting the
bloody aggressions which were being perpe-
trated on our own citizens, without making
any effort to have the invaders repelled?-
: When the strife and tumults of war was watt
}. ed on every breeze, did it become your Presl-
! dent
. ~ To waste the hour Of action IN dispute,
4 And calmly plan how freedoms boughs should shoot
r When yonr invaders axe was at the root !"
n But, unfortunately for the cause OF republic
d can liberty, whilst our country is galantly
=, battling with a foreign enemy, the Wings are
:. carving on an intestine war against our own
s President And will the Wing party promote
n the public good by pursuing such a jaeobinicdl
IS course towards their own government Will
e our country derive any benefit or advantage
e from such violent defamation of the present
= Administration Can any great national OBJ
# ject be achieved by the wretched and suicidal
e course which the Wings are now pursuing IN
; relation to the war. Do not all these domes-
n tic dissensions among ourselves at this critical
t. and dangerous crisis have certain and IneVI-
81 table tendency to weaken our own Govern
,e nent. Nothing great or valuable can be ac-
4 comnlisbed by these intestine divisions. A
IN nation divided against itself becomes an easy
: prey to foreign enemy. And notwithstand
IS ing all the warnings of experience upon this
at subject, the Wing party still persist in de-
l. nouncing the war as unjust and uneonst't"-
n tional, and thereby placing their own country
le in the wrong, and her enemies IN the nght.
ir The Constitution declares that" Treason
!" against the United States, shall consist only
h IN levying qrar against them, or in adaertng
+ to their enemies, giving them aid and COM
N fort" If it is not moral treason to denounce
"a the war as unjust and unconstitutional, will 1t
is not be regarded by the world as amounting IN
I~Ef