The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-10-21
For the Spirit Of Democracy.
Moral Treason.

| 30 ~'@O~ - - y ~ ~--'
Mr.. EpiroR:
As very considerable ex-
element WINS raised by the wings Of
this county, about the publication ofan
article in the "Spirit Of Democracy" Of
the 7th inst, entitled "Reasons why
none should vote the whig ticket;" and
as copied that article from the "Guern-
sey Ieffersonian," without your knowl'
edge, and am, therefore, responsible for
its publication, ! deem it due to myself
10 address to your readers few words
in relation to that matter. ~
| Some of your particular friends. ]
understand, held you responsible for
that publication, and made it pretext
for voting against you; when at the
same time, | am inclined TO believe that
it was only pretext, and nothing more.
Have you not time and again held up
the conduct OF the leaders of the whig
party, during the war with Mexico, as
treas enable 10 their country? Most
certainly; and therefore it is, say that
the publication Of that article was only
made a pretext for opposition to you
as the regularly nominated Democratic
candidate for Representative. They
knew you to be an open and avowed
opponent Of their party schemes and
party measures, and therefore wished
your defeat, which could only be ef.
fected by stratagem. would rather
that the candidate ofmy choice should
be defeated upon fair, impartial, up.
right, honest exposition Of his views,
than be elected by the practice Of fraud,
falsehood, deception, stratagem and chi.
canery. Your views, sir, upon State
and National questions, had thought
we're too we'll known in this communi-
ty for any one to suppose that wings
would give you their support because
of your political principles. Whatever
support you received from that party
must have been given upon the ground
Of personal friendship, and nothing else.
If ! erred in the publication Of that ar.
ticle, it was "an error OF the head and
not the heart"
In regard 10 the charges made upon
the wings in that article, have but to
say that am under the firm convic.
ton that it is "true as holy writ" when
applied 10 the leaders and wire. work.
ers Of that party. Yet, while | con-
denim and deprecate The principles Of
the whig party, as propagaled by their
leaders, there are, at the same time,
many members Of that party, whom, as
men, respect-as citizens, | honor
and many, very many, whom, as friends,
| admire and esteem; the only matter of
difference between US being in regard
to some of the great political measures
which have agitated, and continue to
agitate our. country. For their views
| do not blame them; because can not
believe that they are entertained through |
any dishonest motives; but are simply |
the effect OF misguided judgment.
l will now endeavor to show in what
consists the error Of whig leaders,
consequently of those who adhere TO
their doctrines,) and at the same time
make known upon what ! found my
convictions Of the truth Of the charge
preferred against them in the before
mentioned Objectionable article.
We find, by reference to the pro-
ceedings of Congress, that at the COM
mencement Of the war just closed, the
wings voted that the "war existed by
the act Of Mexico" and as a matter Of
course our country was justfable in
prosecuting it. This was right---.this
was as it should be; and would to God
they had continued pursuing this honor
able course, and entertaining this Amer
ican spirit. But only few months
pass by and what do we beholds These
same whig leaders, in the legislative
councils Of the nation, speaking and
voting against granting supplies for our