Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-05
To tile Public.


Carroll county, have again assumed the edto-
rial control of the Free Press. 1t is with no
feelings Of ordinary emotion, however, that /
enter upon the task. 1t brings me back to the
scenes of other days, and the companions Of
youth. The ties that, few hortmonlhs since,
deemed severed forever, are reunited; the as
socialions, endeared to me by many acts OF
friendship, and cemented by affection, are again
within reach. These, and many other feelings,
fraught with pleasing "reminiscences, crowd up
on the mind at this moment, and causes the i'm
agination to wander far into the endless lsby-
rinths Of times neby.
In surveying the political horizon, cannot
discern any important changes that have trans
pired since my retirement. Events Of ncal-
culable moment to the people Of this Repub.
lie, then beginning to be shadowed forth, now
appear in all their hideous de(ormity; what then
was germ, so dormant that many doubted It's
vitality, has now become full grown reptile
and is twining its insdous folds around the fair
fabric Of our National Independence.
The war, commenced by the President, with
out the shadow of aL.horlty, and in direct vio-
lation of the spirit and intent Of the constitution
of the United States, has been brought 10 nom.
ina concusion,- and such a conclusion! 1t
wasaleged, wihwhatp plausiblity underakeno
10 say, that the war was commenced in defence
of territory rightfuIy belonging TO the United
States, by virtue Of the act annexing Texas to
the Union. Yet, after commencing war for this
purpose,-sacr6cing thousands upon thousands
of human beings at this shrine, and squander'
ing millions upon millions to secure this boon,
the President concluded treaty of peace by
which he agreed to pay fifteen millions of dol
lars for the purchase Of the territory in question:
But, giving credence to the presumption, and
it is only presumption, that the treaty will be rat
flied, and we are on the Threshold Of peace
the question arises, what have we gained by war!
have carefully looked over the field of con.
Iroversy,-have examined the various and con-
hicting statements of the advocates and oppo
nents Of the war; but am unable 10 discover any
permanent benefits that are likely toaccrue from
it; on the contrary, fear that beneath the sur
face of the apparently tranquil waters, lie break
ers that will dash our noble barque TO atoms, un'
less skilful hands, cool heads, and noble heart:
are called 10 the helm.
We have, by treaty stipulations, secured tc
ourselves large, and it may be, fertile country
OF this latter point know little, and care less
With me, the all-absorbing question is, how is
this territory 10 be disposed Of? Upon this
point there is much cause for alarm; much
ground for fear. ltpresents cloud of darkness
through which the keenestperceptioni is unable to
gainaglimpse atIhe future. Hadthe war BEEN ter.
minated without the extension of our territory
i1would have relieved the people of this Repub.
lie from imminent danger; but as it is, there i.
cause 10 fear that the war has been transferred
from the plains of Mexico to The Halls of Con.
gress,-to the very fresdes of the people o.
this Union. The freemen of the north cannot
will not, submit to the introduction, into the U.
nion, of host Of new slave-holding States, for.
med from this territory; neither will those OIL
the south agree to the incorporation of free
States upon their border. Looking at the ques.
ton in this light, is there not cause for appre.
hensionl Do not the signs of the times admon.
ish us to keep a watchful and vigilant eve upon
the affairs Of our countryl When we behold 8
President, clothed with brief authority, usurr
the powers of Congress, assume the power of die.
tator, set at naught the clearly expressed wish.
es of the people, and commit acts that would
have brought to the block the head of the most
powerful King Of the Old World;-when we
see aPowerlul party uphold and defend the Pres.
ident in all his usurpations; when we behold the
Administration presses, from the Capital to the
remo'es' corner Of the Republic, from the At