Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-18
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, VA.
saturday Morning, January Is. Is4s.


al, W. have heard how much glory country has
,conired in this war. I acknowledge u to the full
amount Dir President, so far as military gloy con-
cerned. The army has done noDly-cnlfanouss'yT
| have conferred honor on the country, ioi VIM" "
bir PRESIDENT believe all our thanks VIII be con-
fined TO our army. So for as know, IN the cNHu
world there is no appreciation Of the conduct oil tne CT
vii portion power On the contrary, everywhere
the declaration IL made, that are an ambitious, uh
just hard people, more gwen 10 war man any n, - NOT
for inqu ire. l am speaking now merely Oh tue
| reputation which We bear ahroad-everywnere, ne
eve for, much as We have gained In military IePu
ation abroad regret to PERCEIVE have lost IN our
political and civil reputation. Now, sir, much AS To-
gard military gory-much as rejoice 10 Denolo our
In possession of the ndomtable energy ana eou
rage which all difficulties, and which class
them amongst the first military people OF the age
would be very sorry indeed that our government shoua
lose any reputation for WISDOM moderation discretion,
Justice and those other high qualities which have dis
tingnished US in the early stages OF our history.
We take the above extract from Mr.. Calhoun's
speech in the United States Senate on the 4!h
January, lS4s.
We regret that Mr. Calhoun did no, feel him.
sell called upon 10 inquire how lar the above e1'
preston OF opinion by the "civilized world,
touching the "civi portion Of our power" is cor
rect. We venture the opinion, that at no period OF
our existence did the "civil portion OF cur power"
challenge the admiration OF the civilized world
in higher degree than atthis time.
We are ready TO concede, that there is much OF
both envy and jealousy felt towards US by 'nose
who dread our rapid growth OF greatness IN all
the elements that tend to the advancement OF The
we.being of mankind, under orr glorious Tree
institutions; and, so long as the vicious snail De
found 10 assal the virtuous and the good, so long
may We expect to see those who are welded 10
systems of government which are calculated 10
Cypress mankind, hurting their denuncia!lons
upon our political and civil power for the eleva-
ted standard OF freedom and happiness which
have sprung up under its influence.
We had no reason 10 expect il, but we think
there was reason 10 hope that Mr.. Calhoun would
have changed his opinion in regard 10 the man.
ner OF conducting he war, tho we find him, II
possible more warmly advocating The defensive
line OF policy than he did during the last session
Of Congress. We think Mr.. Calhoun's policy
would lead to our keeping up large force Tor many
years without bringing The war to close, as long
as the Mexican race exists; while by vigorous
prosecution OF the war, as is no doubt intended by
our government, we look forward for ,ermi-
nation OF the war and permanent peace in
short time. Should we be disappointed in this,
the contributions which We will draw from that
portion Of Mexico which has fallen into our
power, will bring revenue enough 10 support the
interest upon large portion Of The debt which
H., n Ibo
upon US, and we will be thus saved The necessi-
ty, in great degree, of placing the burden OF tax
alton upon our people, which Mexico ought 10 be
forced TO pay, and which she doubtless will be
made to do after she is made 10 feel something
more than the overthrow OF her large armies
she will then soon find government enough to
make permanent and lasting peace upon fair
terms, and we desire nothing more.
In our Judgment, the idea OF Withdrawing our
armies from Mexico al this time would be not on.
~ nupatrioric 10 use the mi|dest Ierm,) but it
would BE- virtual surrender OF the first princi-
pie OF government, 50 lar as The intercourse oil
nations is cuncerned-as it would lead TO total
abandonment OF our citizens who may be en-
gagged 10 business pursuits in Mexico; for as soon
as our armies were Withdrawn from Mexico, The
revengetul spirit of that people would lead them
to murder, perhaps indiscriminately, all Ameri.
cans who might be in Mexico, and confscate
their properly, under The strong impression that
our Government would rot again defend its rights,
since ii had abandoned The war that Mexico had
forced upon US, by the Invasion of our territory
and the numbering Of our citizens in our own
| country.
We might be eompifusenteh by The civilized
world for such an acl Of disgrace, but The lip oil
scorn would be turned upon our citizens the world
over, after our Government had so degraded lis
station as to abandon its rights and the rights OF
lis citizens, because it would cost money to main.
tain those rights. We believe hatlhe conduct ofthe
leaders OF the Wing parry al this time deserves
more condemnation at the hands of an outraged
people than all the factionsis who have arrayed
themselves against the interest and honor OF the
country since The adoption OF the Constitution.
We are prepared 10 see them stand forward
and contend that their party in May, 1886, in
solid column, with the exception OF some Is or
| l6, voted that the war existed by Mexico "nndcr
durcss" and therefore should not be held as the
opinion OF those GLORIOUS Wings" whose patriot
Ism was then strong enoughto assert the business
of our cause and boldly declare that the war
existed by Inc act Of Mexico.
Notwithstanding the shameful position they
have now taken, you canno! hear murmur of
complaint from those who follow in the lead OF
Grading politicians" who are trying to barter their
countrys honor for the spells OF party. II is need
less for US 10 say that we do not here in the least
alude to Mr.. Calhoun. His position is con-
sis.ent one--he having opposed the war when
Grading Wing politicians" who now denounce
it, were camorous in its support, based on The just.
ness Of our cause.