Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-02-24
The Lights OF the Age.

Sainst tHe prosecution Vi ouI present poliCy W.
wards Mexico, should We no, pause and en-
quire of our own conciences, whether there is
noi danger TO our future, as we'll as evil in our
present progress Henry Clay, John c. Cal
houn, and other sages OF the better days of the
Republic, when condemning the policy of The
Administration, are charged with ambitious as
piraions for the Presidency; bu, in Albert
Galla,in standing as he does on the very verge
Of the grave, looking upon all the false honors
Of earth as mere dtoss, we behold il were,
the voice of one risen from The dead, TO inter
pose his counsel of wisdom, 10 save his beloved
country from the gulf yawning before her. Let
US hear him!
10 their external relations. the United States,
before this unfortunate War, had, while sus-
tanning their just rights, ever acted in slricl
conformity with The dictates of justice, aud dis
played he utmost moderation. They never
had voluntarily injured any other nation. Eve
ry acquisition of territory from Foreign Powers
was honestly made, The result of Treaties, not
imposed, but freely assened 10 by the other
party. The preservation OF peace was ever
primary ohlect. This recourse TO was
always in self defence. On its sexpedlency there
may have been difference Of opinion that,
in the only two instances of conflict With civ
ilized nations which occurred during period
of sixly-,hree years, (l7s3 10 lS46) the just
rights of the United States had been invaded
| BY long continued series of aggresslons, is
uudeniable. In the frs, instance War was not
declared and here were only partial hos'il-
ilies between France and England. The Con-
gress of the United States, the only legitimate
organ of rhe nation for that purpose. dld, IN
! 1872 declare War against Great Britain. In
dependent of depredailOns on our commerce,
she had, for twenty years. carried on an actual
war agans, the Unlted States. say actual
war since there is now but one opinion on that
subject a renewal of the impressment OF men
sailing under the protection Of our flag would
! be ,antamouni 10 a declaration of War. The
partial opposition to The War OF 1912 did no'
rest on denial of the aggressions OF Engl
and of ihe justice of our cause, bu, on the iacl
that, with the exception of mpressmenis, sim
liar infraclions OF our just rights had been com
ml,led by France, and on the mos, erroneous
belief that The Administration was partial 10
that country, and insincere in their apparent
efforts 10 restore Peace.
At present, all these principles would seen
10 have been abandoned The most just, &
purely defensive War--and no olher is jusli6
able-is necessarily attended with train o
grea, and unavoidable evils. What shall we
say of one inqulous in lis origin and provoked
by ourselves, of war of aggression, which il
now publicly avowed 10 De one OF intended
conquest!
If persisted in, its necessary consequence
of lar
Establishment and of Executive patronage; III
general tendency 10 make man hate man, ''
awaken bis worst passions, to accusom him Il
the taste Of blood. 1t has already demorallzet
no inconsderahe portion OF The nation.
: The general Peace which has been preserved
, between the great European Powers, during
the last thirty years, may not be ascribed Il
the puresl motives. Be these what they may
this long and unusual repose has been most ben
I eGcial TO the cause of humanity. Nothing Cal
/ be more injurious to il, more lamen'ahle thai
The War between TWO adjacent Republics 0
North America.
!, Your mission was TO be model for all oihe
, Governments and for all o'her less favored na
f ,ions. to adhere TO The most elevated principle
of political morality, TO apply all your laculle
4 TO the gradual improvement of your own lnsIl
,u,ions and social state, and. by your example
o to exer, moral influence most beneficial /
4 mankind a. large. Instead Of this, an appea
e has been made to your worst passions 10 CT
!, pidily, TO the thirst Of unjust agsrandlzemel
!, by brutal force; 10 the love of military fam
e and of false glory and j, has even been tie
Y to rer,er, the noblest feelings of yonr mature
Tlhe attempt is made TO make you abandon tn
lofty position which your fathers occupied,
substitute for i, The political morality aud hei
;. then patriotism of the heroes and statesmen
- antiquity.
We should have bul one conscience an
: most happy would i. be for mankind wei
e. statesmen and politicians only as honest
u heir management of the internal or extern
\, national concerns, as they are IN private III
.. The ineproschabe private character OF u
Presiden, and of all The members OF his auml
)" islra,ion, is known and respeeled--l mere
20 nol one of Them who would not spurn WIN !
I'd deoarion The most remote hint that. on s'ml'
nIe,euces 10 hose alleged for dsInember