Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-01-28

an Administration, or that we are ever likely to
have such an one. But suppose that such
thing were possible and that the measures OF
the President had become exceedingly odious
oppressive. burdensome. and ntolerable, and that
notes of dsapprobation were beginning to be
heard from the people assembled in their prima-
nv meetings that the tones of Indignation at last
penetrate the walls of the palace, and the Presi-
dent. finding that he conld not stand against the
united will of an injured people, what has he to
do? Ought he to desst in his course Of wrong
doing, or to retrace his steps? No, sir: this is
not the path TO popularity accordingto this new
school of ethics and morals, he has only to 20 on
and plunge the country into war, and, if he can
manage so skillfully, as to involve the country
in two wars at once so much the better-so
much the more glory for him a popularity
greater than that of Washington or jackson.
This is the inference, the plain and unmistakea-
BILE inference. War instead of being as it is
said to be by all writers on ethics or politics, the
direst calamity which Heaven in its wrath can
send upon a nation. is converted by this alchemy
into a healing Bethesda, in which political prof
legacy and corruption of the darkest hue may
wash itself and be clean. Sir, utterly deny the
soundness of the doctrine, that Congress ought
to have no voice beyond granting the supplies.
II there ever is a time when opposition should
be vigilant, scrupuous, watchiul. noticing every
thing that is wrong, it is at time when, thro
the acts of the Administration, the country is
burthcned with an unnecessary war; Nhen the
fruits of industry are consumed for the support
of snch war. and when we are surrounded by all
the horrors which war brings in its train. II
there ever is time that should put men upon
their individual Judgment, reflection and respon-
sihilitv it is such a time; and such is our posi-
ton now. and we are there by the unadvised,
unconstitutional and illegal acts of the Presi-
dent purpose ] say, to do what may. feeble
as it may be, to place the country right. ] have
never learned in that school of moral political
science that by persevering in an unconstitution-
al and wrong course, we shall ever come out
right.
And. sir, there is another view that is some
times taken, which certainly does not accord
with my own convictions. and upon which
wish to say word or two at this time, (and do
it with Difference to the opinions of ADLER men
about mel and which relates TO the course which
those should take who believe the war TO be
wrong, radically wrong. Why, think have
heard an idea something like this: The coun-
try is engaged in war which is unjustifable--
we confess it is wrong to 90 on. we see clearly
it is wrong-nevertheless we are now at war,
and the President calls on us for supplies of men
and money. and Senators say they will vote men
and money, but by some sort of u process which
escapes my comprehension. they imagine they
are going to throw the responsibility on the Pres
dent confess do not understand how they
are to escape from their due share of responsible
ity. They must share the responsibility with the
President, let the character OF the act be what il
may. IL the war be wrong, put an end to 1t al
once. have no doubt the President will be eX
ceedingly gratiled with opposition OF this KIND
You VIII hear nothing about factious opposi'
ton in the organ Of the Administration. The
President would care little for the opposition o
! kind. 1t is very like Sam Wei Ter. who happen
ed to ind himself IN prison, and person wnom
| ne met was oe"a,nng the misfortune 81 havins
thousand POUNDS ieit 10 MIN ny WIZ, WhicH
cu'hs'ace ma oee., '''c oc'as,o' Vi ms ii''
Pr'so,'hen'' "i.n' eAoia'''eu sam, al ;, my
eheiihes Woul" Try 10 rum me III tia' way
just so WIN t'ie Ires'ueht: lou 'e'' nun tic II
wrong whIle AT tle same 'lne you 'otc MN all
the men ana money 'ha' lie ASKS you ior' :. -
beheving ,ha' 'he cause o! 'hlS war Is raulcaiiy
wrong holu 10 oe 'He hrs'' ,'e P'a'iies'; anu
lhe Simplest uuty oi 'liose VINO .i'''h as no. u
WIihhoid supplies ana coinpcl lne ircSlueht u
40 what we DeheVe TO De rI9h'; Believing 'here
Is street ana pertinent analogy between the
which Is taken by the British Parliament, con-
slider that the course OF those VINO max the war
wrong, Is PLAIN and clear, and admits OF no mis-,
take. upon question OF Voting supplies, !
think the very irst thing to be inquired INTO by
Congress, Is, whether the object Tor winch the
supplies are demanded is a correct and lcgti-
mate object If it be determined that the object
is a proper one, let the supplies be granted if
otherwise, withhold them. This is my under
standing of the nature OF cur Constitution.
have heard our government spoken OF as gov
eminent of checks and balances, but when yorl
speak Of the President having the power to make
war unconstitutionally and Illegally, cannot
understand the cause or propriety of that course
of conduct which would sustain him in his UNI
constitutional act.
Believing, then, that the question of this wal
is question which ought to be discussed; that
1t lies at the very bottom OF the question OF sup
plies. will proceed to give my views to the
Senate and the country, of this war, And, as
suggested the other day, IN the few remarks
which had the honor to submit, believe that
the cause of the war hes little deeper thaDsan
that has been assigned by those who have ex
pressed their opinions upon the subject. be-
leve that the question, whether 1t arose from the
march OF General Taylor to the klo Grandc, OF
whether any of those incidental and temporary
movements were the Immediate cause OF the war
is entirely irrelevant, Inc cause, sls, lies deep
er than any OF these ana when speak OF TIN
causes oil the war, permit me 10 say, that do !
WIN no desire 10 introduce eNc'thg or ahgr
discussion; or TO arouse unpleasant ieeiing; Du
ninB uuty " Po''oi'i. mere i,'ue' 90 II .c''r