Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-12-15
SW A U II N @ Ns-
WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER IS. 1917
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

we nave not time, space, or temper for extended
comment upon this remarkable document Thor,
Is however, one feature of it SO surprising that W,
cannot omit TO notice it,
We expected to hear, bu, felt under no oblioo
wv" 10 oeiieve, that the war 'exsts by the act OF
MEXICO" we were prepared for proposition tc
seize upon the provinces ofMc&ico and to hold them
ny the title which the strong readily acquire to the
property of the weak but we must confess we wore
taken somewhat by surprise when we found the
a"'hor oil such scheme appealing to the principles,
ana invoking the sanction, OF Washington.
In view of the existing state of our country. -
says Mr. Polk, 81 trust it may not be inappropriate
in closing this communication, to call TO mind tho
words of wisdom and admonition of the first and
most illusirions ofmy predecessors, in his farewell
address to his countrymen.''
Certainly not for if ever there was time when
our country stood sorely in need of sswords of wis
DOM" that time is the present; and if ever there
was man TO whose ''admoniiions" the American
people should listen with reverence, that man was
Washington.
has The President assumed To himself the war
making power which the Constitution declares shall
belong TO Congress?
Hear the ''words of wisdom -
'lf in the opinion of the people the distribution
or modification of the constitutional bowers he in
any particular wrong let it be corrected bv an n.
ihcndihcnt IN the way in which the Constitution
deSignates. But let there be no chance by usurno
ton; for though this in one instance may he The
instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by
which free governments are destroyed''
Docs the introduction offDreign territory threaten
to disturb The Union with sectional iealousies.
Weakening, if they do not sever, the ties which
bind us together as nation?
Hearkcn 10 the edmonton -
Dscountenance whatever may surrest even 2
suspicion that the Union can, i'm any event he 4
bandoned; Indignantly frowning upon the first
dawnlng OF any attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion of
our country from the rest, to enfeeble the ties
which now link together the various parts''
Is 1t proposed that we shall appropriate to our
selves, by force, the territories of weak and help
less nelghbor, and then compel her to consent to
the spollaion by carrying war of desolation into
the ''viiai parts" of hor country?
Hear the Father of his Country, the defender of
the homes and hcarths of his countrymcn
observe good faith and justice toward all ma
IONS. Cultivate peace and harmony with ALL
Religion and morality enjoin this conduct and can
DC mat good policy does not equally enoin it p
IL will be worthy of a free, enlightened and, at no
distant period. great nation, to give to mankind
me magnanlnous and too novel example of poo
pie guided by an exalted justice and benevocnce.
Who can doubt that, in the course of time and
things, the fruits of such plan would richly repay
any temporary advantages that might be lost by
steady adherence to it 2''
Truly Mr. Polk is most unfortunate in appealing
to Washington 10 give character and responsibility
to schemes of usnrpation, aggression and plumber
If the voice of Washington could be heard al this
momentous crisis, what ''admonitionu could he
give more appropriate-what ''words of wisdorn''
could he utter more suited to the occasion than
those contained in his farewell address,
''Why quit our own to stand on foreign ground 20