Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-12-11

the United States, actual hostilities might
have been probably averted by prudence,
moderation and wise craftsmanship. If
General Taylor had been permitted TO re.
main where his own good sense prompted
him to believe he ought to remain, at the
point of Corpus Christi; and, if negotia.
ton had been opened with Mexico in a
true spirit of amity and Cancellation, war
possibly might have been prevented. But,
instead Of this pacific and moderate course,
whilst Mr.. Slidell was bending his way to
Mexico with his diplomatic credentials,
General Taylor was ordered to transport
his cannon, and to plant them, in warlike
attitude, opposite to Matamoras, on the east
bank of the Rio Bravo, within the very
disputed territory, the adjustment of which
was to be the object of Mr.. Slidelps mis-
sion. What else could have transpired but
conflict Of armsl
Thus the war commenced, and the Pre-
sident, after having produced it, appealed
to Congress. A bill was proposed to raise
$4,000 volunteers, and in order to commit
all who should vote for it, preamble was
inserted falsely attributing the commence
ment of the war 10 the act of Mexico. ]
have no doubt of the patriotic motives of
those who, after struggling to dvest the
bill of that fragrant error, found themselves
constrained to vote for it. But must say
that no earthly consideration would have
ever tempted or provoked me TO vote for a
bill, with palpable falsehood stamped on
its face. Almost idolizing truth, as do,
never, never could have voted for that bill.
The exceptionable conduct of the FEEDER
al party, during the last British War, has
excited an influence in the prosecution of
the present war, and prevented just dis
elimination between the two wars. That
was war Of National defence, required
for the vindication of the National rights
and honor, and demanded by the indignant
voice of the People. President Madison
himself, / know, at first, reluctantly and
with great doubt and hesitation, brought
himself TO the conviction that it ought to
be declared. A leading and perhaps the
most influential member of his Cabinet
(Mr. Galatin0 was, up TO the time of its
declaration. opposed to it. But nothing
could withstand the irresistible force of
public sentiment. 1t was just war, and
its great object, as announced at the time.
was Free Trade and Sailors Rights"
against the intolerable and oppressive acts
of British power on the ocean. The jus.
tice of the war, far from being denied or
con,roverted, was admitted by the Federal
party, which only questioned it on consid.
erations of policy. Being deliberately and
constitutionally declared, it was, think,
their duty TO have given to it their hearty
cooperation. Blu. the mass Of them did
not. They continued to oppose and thwart
it, to discourage loans and enlistments, to
deny the power of the General Govern.
ment to march the militia beyond our lin.
its, and to hold a Hartford Convention,
which, whatever were its real objects, bore
the aspect of seeking dissolution of the
Union itself. They lost and justly lost the
public confidence. But has not an appre-
hension of similar fate, in a state of case
widely different, repressed fearless ex-
preston of their real sentiments in some of
our public men!
How totally variant is the present war!
There is no war of defence, but one neces.
sary and offensive aggression. 1t is Mexi.
co that is defending her fire.sides, her cas-.
ties and her affairs, not we. And how diff
ferent also is the conduct Of the wing par
ty of the present day from that of the ma.
| jor part of the federal party during the war
of 1912 Far from interposing any OBJ
stacles to the prosecution OF the war, if the
Wings in Office are reproachable at all, it is
for having lent too ready facility TO it,
without careful examination into the OBJ
jects of the war. And, out of Office who
have rushed to the prosecution of the war
with more ardor and alacrity than the
Wings? Whose hearts have bled more
freely than the Whigsl Who have more
occasion to mourn the loss of sons, broth
ers, husbands, fathers, than wing parents,
whig wives and whig brothers, in this dead
ly and Improbable strife!
But the havoc Of war is in progress,
and the no less deplorabie havoc Of an in
hospitable and pestilential climate. With
out indulging in an unnecessary retrospect
and useless reproaches on the past, all hearts
and heads should unite in the patriotic en-
deavor to bring it to satisfactory close?
Is there no way that this can be done?-
Must we blindly continue the conflict, with
out any visible object, or any prospect of a
definite termination? This is the impor-
tant subject upon which desire to consult
and 10 commune with you. Who, in this
free government is, to decide upon the OBJ
ects of War, at its commencement, or at
any time during its existencel Does the
power belong to the Nation, to the collec-
tive wisdom of the Nation in Congress as
ssembled. or is it vested solely in single
functionary of the government!
A declaration of war is the highest and
lmost awful exercise of sovereignty, The