Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-03-08
MORAL TREASON.

President Polk, in his message TO Congress, de-
nounced the Wings as guilty of moral treason, for
having expressed the opinion that the war was un-
necessary. The charge has been echoed by every
official throughout, the land by Loco Foco mem
bers of Congress and by tho party prints in every
section Of the country. We beg all who may have
attached any Importance to this charge, coming
from such quarters, to read again this admirable
extract from the speech Of Lieut.. Col. MoRRIsoN
at the Taylor meeting on Tuesday night. Col
M. was at the battle of Buena VISTA and was IA
vorably noticed by Gen. Taylor in his official re-
port, for gallant conduct ~ Y. Courier.
81 have, since my return TO this country, listen
ed with deep and painful regret To charges which |
regret u say that heard but short time ayo ON
the floor Of Congress, that majority of that great
and patriotic party-the Whigs-are traitors0are
guilty OF moral treason, because they dare to be.
ieve and To say that this war, in which we are
engaged, was brought on by he imprudence of the
leaders of the political party in power, and because
they think II has been prosecuted beyond the point
which the safety and security of the country de-
mand. But, gentlemen, when the tocsin of alarm
was sounded that the country was in danger; that
the aid of her sons needed, chcre then. ,rere
Ac Vhgs? In the words of an eloquent man
one OF the most eloquent 10 be found in the States
OF this Union lying beyond the Alleghanies-one
who is loved III tue Western country from which |
come, all flew 10 the standard Of their country and
IN the forward ranks, willing 10 give their lives for
their country, were the Wings HndS unn tho
occasion Of the Battle of Buena Vista all of Won
have doubtless heard and read of the twelve hnn-
dred men who were left the fragments of three
regiments which held the front in position and
had fought all day-and | say it with al! proper
! rodcsly that of those three regiments two were
rom my own State Illinois, and the other one was
fhsa.r lt.., l.S, 1
null these three regiments reduced to fragment of
twelve hundred, three quarters of ar hour before
shutdown on that awful day, when they advanced
To make that last aud bloody assault, with The gal
liant Hardin of Illinois, and Mckee, who are now
gnne-who led them? What do III, records say -?
Who led those fragments Of three regiments into
the field? IHey ,cerc led Bu sir field officers
find Of the sir field officers irc soee of that trail
torous band Of Hhigs Loud cheers. And of
those FIVE Wines who led those mel, three sealed
their devotion To their country with their blood
! Cheers. Hardin, Mckee, ard Clay all fell ON
that field and the two remaining wer, Col. Bissell
and myself. There were six field oficers-and of
the SIN, fire were Wings, and one Demucrai,-
and yet the Wings who have sacrificed their lives
so freely IN this war, stigmatseJ as traitors-
Does not the blood Of the Young and gallant Henry
| Clay, who gave his life 10 his country on that
bloody field, rise in Judgment against tie vile accu-
salons against his honest siro2 TCtecrs. Does
NV. ''o sPi' Oh tie Sai'ahl Lincoln reDuke The as
sallan,s OF that gallant Lincoln, who after hav-
ing so much distinguished himself at Palo Alto and
| tesaca, Offered his life sacrifice ON the altar of
his country at Buena Vista? An unnecessary sac
rIiico, to for he thought the day was lost, and
when one of the volunteer regiments had been bro
Ken and he saw the men flying from the field
which he thought was lost, he rushed to the head
OF the reirealing regiment and rallied them again
to the attack, threw himself into me thckest of the
fight, resolved not TO the dishOnor of his coun-
try, and there he stricken down. | saw him
when IN the agonies OF death, with his right hand
clenched on his breast and his left hand extended,
and with his eyes scowling ON the enemies of his
country. his last breath passed away. And vet the
father Of THAT MAN is called n traitor Cheers
These are The evidences of treason which the Wing
party presents 10 the nation. Cheers. y