Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-10-29
ON THE ORIGIN OF THE WAR.
Iohe Citizens ofMe Fourth Congressional Dis.
trict Of Maryland, of both Political Parties.
BY JOHN p. KENNEDY.

Tohc Citizens ofMe Fourth Congressional Dis.
trict Of Maryland, Of both Political Parties.
My subject is now the Mexican war. mean
10 devote this and one or two other letters 10 that
subject, for two RESPONSIBILITIES, that, intrnsical.
Iy, II is very important topic to the people of
the United States just now; and second, because
there has been a great deal Of studied and per-
verse misrepresentation spread abroad in regard
TO II, with view to bring the Wings into discs
TEEN, and 10 cover up and conceal very awk.
ward political blunder made by Mr.. Polk. The
oucry, however, has not yet hurt The Wings in
The opinion of any judicious man, nor has il
been very successful in hiding Mr.. Polk's delin,
quencies from the public. Some men seem 10
think that TO SANDER the Wings is the best way
10 screen the President. Mr. Polk himself has
set the example in his last annual message, in
which he innmaes that any man who will not
adopt his opinion about the origin of the war is q
traitor traitor for not believing what he, The
President, announces 10 be fact! Some of "the
organs" repeat this miserable slang. One Of
them says, for instance, ''the treason of Bene-
dict Arnold is nothing" compared 10 this refusal
of The Wings 10 believe Mr.. Polk-for that is
The amount Of il. When men write and publish
such dwelling nonsense as this, il only shows
what contcmpuous opinion they have forlhose
whom they expect 10 believe them.
] intend 10 give you history of the origin Of
the present war, which | shall take, as much as
possible, from the official records of the country,
and from the recorded opinions and proceedings
of the most distinguished leaders OF the Demo.
cratic party. These shall endeavor 10 lay be-.
fore you in The simplest and cIearest narrative
can give. You will then be able TO Judge for
yourselves, whether The Wings are right or
wrong in what they have said and done about
this war.
his proper, therefore, before begin the mar.
rallve, thai should explain TO you what have
been and are the opinions and resolves Of the
Wings in regard to the war. will do this in a
few words:
First. The Wing party believe that whatever
wrongs or injuries Mexico may have done 10 this
counlry-and we do not deny they were many
still the President had no right 10 make war upon
Mexico, cithOut The consent of Congress, towhom
The war-maKing power exclusively belongs.
Second That the present war did not begin
By the act of Merico, as Mr.. Polk declared, bu,
began by the act of Mr.. Polk HIMSELF in order.
ing an army TO march into territory under the
jurisdiction Of Mexico, for the acquisition of
which our government had proposed to open ne.
goralons with Mexico, in the hope of being able
10 purchase il from that nation. D.. '.
Third. The Wings have held, and still hold.
The opinion,-nolwihstand the manner this
war was commenced that, being commenced
their duty was to give to the administration all The
supplies of men and money which it might ask
for, TO prosecute the war 10 a successful iermina-
tion; and in accordance with this opinion, they
have voted for every Thing asked for that purpose
by the governmenl--and will continue so 10 vote,
it the war is to be continued.
The Wings, in common with the whole coun.
try, feel grateful pride in the gaIIanlry of our
soldiers, and the glorious success of their arms.
In proof Of their willingness 10 encounter The
peris and sacrifices of ihewar, theyha furnish.
I'd their share,--dnd more than their shars-of
he bravesI officers and men, TO the army
II