Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-06-11

PlOmatic relations no, having been formally sus
pended between the United States and herself
as they had been, previous TO the appointment o
Mr.. Sdell, between the United States and Mex
CO. But although she received, she lrihed viii
him. "ltappeared al once (says Mr.. jefferson
that her policy wes 10 reserve herself for events
and, in the mean time, 10 keep our differences il
an undetermined STATE" Thus matters remain
ed for fire months, during which period Mr.. Mon
roe was engaged in fruiIlsss efforts to bring then
To- definite resut-and atihe end Of that time h,
"ended the conference, iUithoia hauing been aBh
10 Obiain indemnify for spOliaiions of any de-
Seripi0n, or any satisfaction as 10 The boundarie
Of louisiana" Mr.. Jefferson, in his Confideu
Iia Message, to Congress, before which he deem
ed il bis duty 10 lay these facts, for its iudgmen
and action, by which his own was TO be directed
and controlled, said: "Our injured citizens were
thus left OiilOut any prospect Of rstribuiiOn from
the wrong doer; aud as to boundary, each party
was TO take It's own course"-as in the case O.
Mexico and the United States in ls46. Bu
there arises here an essential difference i'm the re-
aiive attitude Of Mexico and Spain towards US
for while Mexico threatened no aggressive move
ment, and seemed content that the boundary
and oil other questions in dispute should remain
for the present untouched, Spain minated hel
intention, as Mr.. Jefferson informed Congress
ITO ddraHee on our possessions until they shall
be repressed by an opposite force" Neverhe'
less, with this threat impending over him, Mr.
Jefferson did not dare TO auogale 10 himself the
right TO direct an aggressive movement on OUT
parl; and he assigns reason for his forbearance
which we commend to the special consideration
Of Mr.. Polk and the defenders Of his unconstilu.
tional proceedings in regard 10 the Mexican war
under circumstances so closely resembling those
that existed in 1905. Mr.. Jefferson took The
same view Of his powers, as Chief Magistrate
which the Wings now insist that Mr.. Polk should
have taken, and which, had they been adopted
by him, for his guidance, would unquesonably
have prevented the war in which we are now
engaged; or, if not, would at least have given il
the sanction Of constitutional authority, the want
of which is one of the principal grounds Of
attack upon its usurping authors. What is that
reasonl "Considering," said Mr.. Jefferson,
"that CONGRESS ALONE is consti,mionally
invested with the power Of changing our condi.
tion from Peace 10 War. have thought il MY
DUTY TO AWAIT THEIR AUTHORITY
FOR USING FORCE, in any degree which
could be avoided. | have barely instructed the
officers stationed in the neighborhood 10 protect
our citizens from violence, to patrol WITHIN THE
BORDERS ACTUALLY DELIVERED TO US, AND NOT TO
GO OUT OF THEM but when necessary 10 repel an
inroad, or TO rescue citizen or his properly"
Such was the tone of policy adopted by the A..
postle, whose disciple Mr.. Polk profcsses TO be-
and that, too, although, as he stated TO Congress-
he circumstances then existing required prompt
action-lhe crisis in Europe being, as he re.
marked, favorable for pressing scltement in
making which not moment should be lost. But
yet, although speedy action was necessary, he
properly declined usurping a power expressly
Withheld from him by the Constitution TO which
lie had solemnly sworn TO conform his action.-
lie declined, because, in his own words, '',he
,ourse 10 be pursued will require the command
of means which it belongs 10 Congress exclusively
10 yield or to deny. To them, (he continues. J
| communicate every fact material for their in.
formation, and the documents necessary TO ena-
BILE them to Judge for themselves. To their pis-
dom, then, | look for the comse | am to pursue,
and will pursue, with sincere zeal, that which
they shGH approves"
How refreshing to turn back to those times Of
GENUINE REPUBLIcANISM-to search out the "old
paths" lrod by the fathers of the Constitution,
whose footsteps have been obliterated by the dc.
structive march Of Modern Progressive Demo
cracyl What can be more striking than the con.
lrast between Jefferson in 1905 and Polk in
l846l What can more forcibly exempily the
rapid "progress" which has been made in elIac.
ing the ancient landmarks Of the Constitution
in subvertlng the legitimate and wholesome au.
thorly Of the Legislative department ofthe Gov.
ernment the responsible representatives Of the
People and Of the States, and the presumed expo
nenls Of public opinion-and in the creation of
an irresponsible and omnipotent Executive,
clothed with powers, as comprehensive as those
possessed and exercised by any Monarch in
Chrisendoml
Were Mr.. Jefferson now alive, he would be
among The foremost in denouncing The inrraction
Of The Constitution by which the country has
been reckessly plunged into n war, involving an
of funcounted millions of money, und
the sacrifice of thousands of valuable lives, with
all its contingent evils and all the dangers involv.
ed in the new and delicate questions 10 which it
must give rise. Consistently with his principles,
lnu WIN MS PIoVcTulul NencIullOn IOI llal ln'
the provisions Of which are now mere
cobwebs, TO be swept away by the breath Of the
President when they conflict with his designs,
The sage of Monticello would have been compel.
ed TO occupy the ground upon which the Wings
now stand. lie would have recognized doubt.
less, as the Wings do, their obligation 10 unite
in all proper measures for the successful prose.
culon Of The war while it shall last; but he could
not hold him guless in whose assumption Of
power that war had its origin. Indignant as he
might have felt at the obstnacy with which Mex.
co refused to renew pacific relations, and to ad.
us, by negotiation the matters in controversy
between the Two Governments, much moro in.
ense would have been his indignation against
hose, who, in order to punish real or imaginary
grievances, had usurped the warmaking power,
ind thereby inflicted upon the Constitution, The
,ond of our Union and the charter If our riohts