The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-04-22
For the Spirit of Democracy.
To the People Of Belmont 4 Monroe


To the People Of Belmont 4 Monroe.
FELLOW CITIZENS:
The object of these letters
was stated in the last number 1t is to give to the
constituent body All account of the transactions OF
the last General Assembly as accurate as the mem.
ory and means of the subscriber will permit
There is kind of tacit obligation on the Repre-
sentative to do this. If the duty be not performed
by him it will be performed by none. Our reports
as furnished by the news-reporters are meagre in
the extreme. Moreover, news. writers and editors
at State Capital can not be expected to feel the
same solicitude for your welfare and happiness as
your own delegate and deputy. A stranger may
treat man with civility and respect, a beloved
son feels for him all the glow of affection.
The Mexican war was frequent subject Of de.
bate in various shapes during the last Session.
This also was considered large in the report Of the
committee to the political meeting Of the citizens
of Monroe county, referred to in my last number
The subject came into the Senate by resolutions OF
censure upon our present most able and successful
administration of the National Government and Of
thanks to Thomas Corwin, offered by the wings.
and by resolutions of precisely opposite nature,
offered by the democrats, as we'll as by scores of
partizan petitions on both sides of the subject.
The following views Of this question have always
been entertained by the subscriber both at home
and in the Senate. The forbearance OF this great
Union towards Mexico, for twenty years before the
war, was most exemplary. So much forbearance
towards an equal or a superior in power would
have been imputed to pusanimity. General
Jackson, man all of whose words had meaning,
told Congress more than eleven years ago that we
had good cause of instant war with Mexico. The
capture OF our citizens, the destruction OF their
property and invasion of their rights, occurring
from time TO time-and reproaches, insults and
contumees occurring at all times-have afforded
constant sources of irritation for the last twenty
wears. Great Britain and France manifested no
such spirit of long suffering. Each of them gave
Mexico unmistakeable limitations of what might
be expected in case of further offence; and the
French actually battered down the Castle of st.
j i
unforgiving nations were at all times mentioned by
Mexico in terms of the highest respect. And their
subjects had advantages in trade denied to our cit
izens. While America, great, generous, forbear-
ing and pacific, was treated with hatred, insult,
outrage and indignity Mr.. Slidell, our minister
of peace and bearer of the Olive branch, was re-
iected with contumely and disdain And not only
50, but Paredes that deteslable brigand, ON whose
guilty head rests every drop of blood which has
has been shed in this war, was enabled to overturn
the government of Herrera by promising his be.
sotted countrymen war with the United States! J!
Yes, a wa- with us was promised to the Mexicans,
as good thing-something to be desired, some-
thing to be sought after, real feast, delicious
banquet! These things are as undeniable as the
shining of the noon-day sun. Ought not such a
raging thirst for war to be gratifed' A dema-
goguge has climbed to supreme power 10 neigh.
boring nation by promising his besotted country
men war with the United States!!! Fellow Cit
liens, are you fond of seeing your native country
used in this way' Are you sorry that this hobby
is broken down once and forever? Are you sorry
that no foreign demagogue in any nation will ever
again be able to raise himself 10 supreme power by
promising his countrymen 10 make war on your
Are YOU sorry that our dear, well-beloved native
land can never again be used as football in this
way? Then what think you, Fellow Citizens, OF
the wisdom or patriotism of passing resolutions in
favur of the poor, oppressed, duwn.rodden Mexi-
cans, condemning our own country and denounc-
ing the war as James X. Palk's war, and wicked,
fiagitous and unjust' Such resolutions were
passed by the whg majorilies in the Ohio Legisla-
ture. My Fellow Citizens. will you not pause!
Will you any longer honor such men with your
confidence! Will you not hurl them from the
places of power and trust, which they have re-
ceived from your gift, and which they so shame.
fully abuse' Do you not see that they are snlitten
with the malign spirit of party' That they are
dead to the feelings OF true patriotism and national
honor! That they are blind to our national inter.
ests' That they are deaf to the voice Of their
country! This subject is too extensive to be
compressed into the bounds OF one letter.
shall return 10 it again in future numbers. 1''
Most Respectfully. &c., ;...l...1
r. aa EDWARD ARcHBoLD. I
Woed.asId, .April IL, ls4s....No. vi.