The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-13
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
D6f ReDutation. II

National character is Uf some value
as an instrument Of national security.
Whenever a nation of even moderate
power establishes a reputation for ex.
treme jealousy about national honor,
for .promptitude in,- resisting every -ag-
gression, without regard to the power
Of the aggressor it is rarely molested by
other nations, though more powerful.
Knowing that it will resist to the Ut
most, they know that any attempts a.
gainst ii necessarily involves war;
and in modern times, war is a griev-
Gus calamity, even to the conqueror.
One great source of the impunity from
aggression which England haslong en-
ljoyed, has been the alacrty. with which
she has always buckled on her armor
lin defence ofnational honor. But when
lever nation, able to defend its rights,
has exhibited any timidity under aggres-
sion, it has surely forfeited the respect
of the world, and encouraged even the
weakestain assailing Its rights or dig
Unity. Before the war of 1872, the u
United States had exhibited the,most in
Iexcusable forbearance underag aggression.
THE English and French, then at war,
Epreyed upon our commerce like pirates,
without the slightest respect for our
|rights, or the laws Of nations. Our
government, instead of ofrepeIling the as
sailauts sword in hand, took shelter
under embargoes and non-intercouse
laws, or in other words, in running
away; and the partizan opponents OF
our government among ourselves taun:-
ed it with its timidity, saying it would
be "kicked into a war;" The British
and French governments. believing this,
especially as it was said by one Of our
political parties against the other, con.
tinued to KICK, and for a long time with
impunlty. But they kicked our gov.
ernmen into war at last, and our pro W.
ess in that war enabled US TO recover
the character lost by our previous tim
idity. Had we exhibited proper re-
sentiment at the commencement OF
these assaults, we should have avoided
that war, besides saving millions OF
property. Nations never lose ulti.
mately, by prompt exhibition of pro-
per spirit. But they always lose
through want Oft. e-t'a b
These remarks are induced by the
extraordinary declaration of Mr.. Web
ster in his speech before the "Whig"
Convention of Massachusetts, recently
held at Springfield. He said that if the
President, in his annual message to the
next Congress did not present a salts
factory excuse for the war against
Mexico, the duty Of our Wings would
be the refusal Of all supplies for the pros
ecu,ion of the war. This was the sub.
stance of his declaration. Let US sup.
pose that Congress adopt and act upon
this doctrine, and refuse supplies.
What are the consequences? The Ex.
ecu!ive must withdraw our armies from
Mexico, and abandon all our conquests.
Did consequences stop here, our case
would not be desperate. The Mexi.
cans might not be fool enough to think
Of invading our territory, and if they
should, would be very promptly and
effectually repelled. But consequences
would travel little farther. The
| Mexicans would boast of victory, and
taunt US with our imbeciIity; and all
European nations, seeing US abandon a
country that we had almost conquered,
and spare an enemy entirely in our
power, and all through our own dissen-
sions, would conclude that we had not
patriotism, or nationality, or courage,
sufficient to defend our rights. And
then they would no! only laugh al us
in scorn, but would conclude that we
could always be assaiIed with impuni.
ty. England and France, and especial.
" the former, ever ready to improve
the slightest advantage against US,
would see in our own dissentions a
base line Of operations against our
rights and dignity. English or French
statesmen would say that if they as.
sailed US, one Of our parties would al.
ways jointhem against our government
or against the party ready to resist, and
hence that we could never present our
united front against aggression. From
this opinion of our imbeciIity, founded
Upon our divisions would follow pira.
cies upon our commerce, encroach
lments upon our territory, orders in
council, Berlin and Milan decrees,q s,quain
tuple treaties, and various devices fol
robbing US. They would say to them
selves, "we can plumber these Yankees
with umpunity, for one Of their parties
will always aid US against the other"
I Has. Mr.. Webster considered al
'ltkis9 No man is more capable of fore
seeing itand all o ther consequences o
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