Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-04-13
VOLUMEII--NUMBER u.

tOleruDle content Win his cOudiuonWl somebody
passes beyond him, and his disposition TO take
up his straps" and pass bdyond him who has
passed himself, and st down further off, is an
Irresistible passion. Al least so saws that great
and sagacious observer Of human manners,
Chaleaubriand. when he travelled in this coun.
try IN 1897. But say, sir, that DO not find
any where, nor that there exists any where, any
considerable respectable number Of persons who
think that we want more territory, and such terri.
tory. There were iwenly-four Of Us last wear
who voted against the prosecution Of the war
for the acquisition Of territory, on the ground
that we did not want il--Soulhem men and
I Northern men. believe there were Southern
gentlemen who concurred in that vote, and who
found themselves, even against what might be
supposed to be the local feeling and partially,
able TO sustain, themselves upon the ground Of
the wisdom Of the general policy Of not seeking
for territory and, by the acquisition Of territory
TO bring into our politics certain embarrassing
and cnbroiing questions. ! do not learn thai
they suffered by the advocacy Of such sent-
ments. rather believe that they triumphed in
them, add / believe that through the greater por.
ton Of the South, If we can trust what has been
said here-lhrough the Southwest, 10 a very
great extent, the same sentiment is gcneral-lhal
there is no prevalent opinion IN favor Of new
territory, and such territory, or Of an augmenla-
lion Of your population and by such population.
! need not say that is, if not the undivided, the
preponderating sentiment of all the Nonh.-
But we think we must take lerGioryr This Is
the will Of the President If we do not take it
wemay fare worse! Mr.. Polk will take no less!
That is fixed upon! He is immoyablel He
has put down her loot He had put il down sir,
on "iilty-iour iouy," but it did nolstay. speak
Of the President Of the United States as speak
Of all Presidents, without dsrespect; but | know
no reason why his opinions, his will, his purpose
declared 10 be fixed, should control us any more
than our purpose formed upon equally conscen.
tious motives, and, may add, formed under as
high responsibilities as those which should con-
troll him. We think he is firm and will not
move. should besorry, sir, very sorry, indeed,
that We should entertain more respect for the
frmness of on individual at the head of the
Government than We can entertain for our own
frmness. He will stand out, it is said, against
him! For one, do not 1t appears 10 me to
: be slavIsh doctrine. For one. am willing to
meet the issue, & 10 90 10 thcpeople over all our
broad land. If We will take peace without new
States, and the Administration will have no peace
r without new States, am willing 10 stand upon
that and trust the people. do that because,
in the first place, think it is right, and in the
). next place have no dislrusI of the people.
?. am not unwilling 10 put thai TO their sovereign
y decision and arbitration.
a Sir, hold this question to be vital, permanent
II elementary, in the future prosperity OF this coun
! try and the maintenance Of the constitution
o and am willing to trust thai question TO the
=. people. prefer that it should be submitted &c
:, them, because if what regard as great con.
S stutiona principle, or a principle essentially
, important TO the maintenance ofthe constitution
: be broken down, let il be the act of themselves
Q 1t shall never be my act. | therefore do moi
y distrust the people. am willing TO take their
r sentiment on this issue, from the Gulfto the
g British Provinces, and from the ocean 10 the
G Missouri. | am willing 10 ask them, will you
: continue this war for terriIory-for territory tC
! be purchased after all for an enormous price, a
+. thousand times thevaue ofal that is purchased
| or will you take peace, contenting yourselves
b. with the honor that the country has reaped by
c the military achievements Of its armies! Will
f you take peace without territory and preserve
O the integrity of the constitution and the Union!
o am willing to go on that, for one.
@ am willing, sir to take this issue: peace with
c out new States keeping our money TO ourselves
. or war ill these new STATES shall be acquired!-
That's the question, 1t is aquestlon for the peo-
n pie themselves. lGthey support me and those
who think with me in the view | take Of the
matter, very well. If they will have territory
D if they will add new States to this Union, why
let them do so, and they will be the artiicers o
i their own fortunes, for good or evil.
/ But, sir, we trombe before Executive power
= The truth cannot be concealed-we tremble be
: fore Executive power Mr.. Polk will take
t nothing else than this, and, if we do not take
: This, "Iho kings anger may kindle," and ht
5 may mpost still heavier burdens. Now, who
=, and what is Mr.. Polk? lspeak of him in nj
i manner Of dsrespect. mean only TO ask who
s and what is the President OF the United State
Il for the current moment lie is in the last yea
5 Of the term of his minisiralon-lormally
+ officially, it can only be drawn out till the lOurtl
C of March. Why, really and substantially, w
c know that two short months will or may produc'
It events that render the duration of the oillcia
c term of very little importance. We are on tn
c eve of a Presidential election. That machlner.
d resored to TO collect public opinion, or parl.
d opinion, is 10 be put in operation two month
d hence. We shall see its result. 1t may be tha
r the presant incumbent of the presidential oiiic
= will be again presented to his party friends ant
= admirers for their sullrages for the next Presl
= DENTAL term. do not say how probable or I'M
h probable that may be-perhaPs ii is not entirely
ii probable. Supposelha not obe result VIVA
n then! Why, then Mr.. Polk becomes as abso
: luleIy insignificant as any respectable MAJ
o amongst the public men of the United States
honorable in his private life valuable in hi
q private character. espectable-neverem eminen
!, in public life, he will, from the moment that I
n new star arises have just as liulc influence a
you sir, or l. and, so far as respect myself, Goo
!, knows that will be very iule. SrpoliIlca par
), tisans, and asprants, and olice-scekors are no
r sunfowers; they do not
"Turn on their rod when he sets