Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-02-09
fIear a Leading Wing Editor.

The editor Of the New York Courier
and Enquirer, J. w. Webb. a lead ina
whig of the Empire State, in speaking o.
Mr.. Cloy's speech at Lexington says:
"No man who is disposed to be candid
will pretend to say that speech was not q
virtual appeal to Mexico TO continue hostil
itles We do not intend to charge ,ha
such was MIR. Clay's purpose. Far from
it. Onr feelings Of respect for tha. grea
man are unchanged, and we regret that h'
can never be President Of the United States
but we cannot shut our eyes to the t,tha
the tendency of his speech was to persuade
Mexico to continue the war. He openly
avowed that our country is altogether in
the wrong and our enemy altogether in the
right Such an avowal from such quar-
ter, grieved US beyond measure; and with
all our respect for Mr.. Clay, our love of
country prompted us at once to enter our
solemn protest against such an anti-Amer-
lean sentiment. The wings everywhere
mourned over the utterance Of such a sen.
timent by Mr.. Clay. and even his most de-
voted followers-those who nre determined
10 advocate his claims to the Presidency at
every hazard-are compelled to admit, that
the sentiments of that speech amounted to
an appeal to Mexico to continue the war.
ssWe are we'll aware that it is the inter-
est of our opponents TO make it appear to
to the country, that the whigs are RESPONSE
BILE for Clay's ultra and anti
views on this subject; but, thank God, the
leading spirits in both houses Of Congress
the Independent, american portion of the
whig press and the great mass of the rank
and file Of the whigss everywhere-unite
in protesting against its sentiment. Prom
inent among tho honest, able, and true hear
ted whig leaders, @ho ask nothing for them
selves, and who, though devoted to party,
are far more devoted to principles-is the
Honorable, Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland.
In his late speech he took occasion to say
and no one will doubt his sincerity-that
there was 'sno office either in the gift Of
the people or the President that he would
accept"
s'ro the truth Of this declaration, all
vino know Mr.. Johnson, will cheerfully
bear testimony. No one doubts his truth;
nor does any one doubt his patriotism.
Frank, fearless and independent-of ad-
mitted talents and devotion to whig princi-
ples-but above all and over oil, devoted
to his country and his country's honor
nobody could doubt but Reverdy Johnson
would take an early occasion to vindicate.
on the floor of the Senate, our common
country from the unjust and foul aspersions
which others have sought to fix upon it.
He is not the man to sacrifice the honor of
his native land, to low, groveling. and pal
try party considerations; and, in the face
Of the whole world, he was and is ready to
maintain, and therefore publicly proclaim
ed, that sour country is high minded, just
and honorable-her citizens moral and
christian-the war with Mexico just, be-
cause Mexico commenced it-and that it
did exist by her act; and that but for that
conviction, so help him God, as he revered
truth and detested falsehood, he never
would have voted for the act Of the 18th
May, ls46."
"This is language worthy Of a patriot
and statesman; and who is there that will
not agree with the following:
GAS national character is national pow
er, and the purer that character the great.
er that power, trust in God that | am
right in the opinion, that this war is Just
and honorable. If not clearly just and
honorable, then would we be pronounced
by the judgment Of the world band Of
murderers. have an instructive repug
nance to believing my country wrong in
any war in which she may engage; but /