The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-08-14

i Sd. am opposed TO the war, and as
a Christian Minister | am strong ad.
vocats for peace and friendly cores.
pondencs between individuals and ma
tions. 1T is my business to proclaim
peace and good will to all men, and
this | do, and not only l, but every low.
er of moral order and civilization
These are my sentiments. Now for
the letter in question.
The writer says, 81 am sorry TO hear
you was engaged in so bod cause, as
that of arraying yourself in battle a.
gainst unofending Mexico" In an
swer | would say: | am surprised that
we are engaged in a war with Mexico,
but (since Providence has so ordered
| iD | am doubly sorry to hear such un-
christian and anti-republican principles
from the lips or pen Of any man pro-
Tossing to be whig, or an American.
1t gives his profession the lie--it lowers
his character in the estimation OF every
true American, wing or democrat: and
is tainted, profoundly tainted, with the
deepest colored toryism. 9a
Again he asks the question: "Did
Mexico ever do any thing that the Uni
led States have right to complaint"
Such question as this, TO come from
a person protesting common sense, Is
absolutely intolerable. 1t might do
we'll enough in the mouth of a black
hearted Mexican--but the answer
Read the pages Of history for the last
twenty years and you will find that
Mexico stands blackensd with the deep
est dye of peridy, treachery, and 6asest
villainy, not only towards the United
States, but towards all nations with
whom they correspond. They profess
republicanism, but are absolute despots
they profess religion, but carry in
their bosoms its opposites--l lying, cheat
ing, robbing, and numbering is their
chef employment, and with selfish
ness and barbarity, unprecedented or
unparalleled in the history of any ma
ton, ftom time immemorial, they carry
misery and wretchedness upon all those
within their power. This cannot be
denied. t." a.nI ...iat".ta
Again, he says: elf we listen to Pres
ident Folks address, and believe his
doctrine, we may then believe that
Mexico has been the aggressor; but do
we or ought we to believe all he tells
US is rightW | did not vote for Mr..
Polk--I voted for Henry Clay, and
would do SO again. Both are slave
holders, and both are to blame in this
particular; | believe both are true A
and both deserve the CRATE
ful ackno wledgments Of their country
men. Although | am no political friend
Of Polk, yet ! disdain and dispise that
contemplate political carricature who
would unbIushingly load the ruler Of
my country with any undue and base
1t was my country
men put him where he is, and they are
wiser than |. Let the majority rule, is
a permanent and just principle of De-
mocracy.
1t is my opinion that the present war
could have been avoided, but also be-
lieve that it was not the design of Prov
idence. My reasons for this can be
had in the future. But to the text.
Our writer impeaches Mr.. Polk with
lying: 'Do we believe all that he says
isright?" ! am not prepared to answer
this question as it stands affirmatively |
or negatively, but am prepared to say,
fearless of successful contradiction,
that so far as he has portrayed the
character and disposition of the Mexi-
cans in his message, it is struth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the TRUTH"
and therefore worthy the confidence of
every lover of truth, 8 or, ,i
But what caps the climax of black
hearted and foul.mouthed toryism and
profound ignorance combined together,
is the following: 0If | were in Mexico,
and were TO fight at all, l should fight
for the Mericans, because they have
God on their side!!!!w Good Heav-
ems, is this the language of an Ameri-
can? Is this the sentiment of a son OF
Columbia's soil? Is this the principle
that burns in the bosom of one around
whom the "American Eagle"has thrown
her peaceful, fostering wings! Is this
The gratitude that kind and generous
government receives, latter granting and
giving us the sacred rights and privi-
eges which we enjoy? Oh! CAN'T be
possible that their dwslls a heart on
American soil, SO black, SO degraded,
md SO inveterate and malicious as to
breathe a sentiment so repugnant to
sentiment which would dark
IN and disgrace the darkest and most
,arborous mind that fingers in all the
degradation of an ssunbroken darkness {
If intellect?" Am | too strong in Ian
deep in color? Excuse the