Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-04
sPITIT OF THE FREE PRESS.

FROM THE CHARLESTON MERCURY, FEBRUARY "a.
TREASON AND TRAToRs.-It is the habit OF many
Of The Administration presses, in speaking of those
VINO oppose the Presidents plan for the prosecu-
non OF hostes in Mexico, to denounce their con-
uuct as treason, and themselves as traitors TO the
country 10 say that in all this there is bad taste,
oau 'emPer and the grosses injustice, is to charac-
lerize u IN the very mildest way. This is not
war LOT the defence of our own soil, but a war Of
invasion and Tor purposes Of conquest. However
ltlie room there may be for difference ofNopinion
When ~ comes TO the protection Of our own homes
ana nreslaes, surely the citizen is not to be denied
ihe right Oh discussing and determining how far,
and IN what Manner il is advisable for the Govern
ment to perseyere IN carrying war into distant and
foreign territory. The conduct Of the war; like all
o'her measures OF me Government, is open to the
criuclsm and control OF the people. If the Admin
istraon go wrong, is there any OBLIGATION mon he
country 10 uphold it in Its career Of wrong? On
the contrary have not the people the power and the
right andis it not their duty, to arrest il in its course
and as speedily may be, TO put il upon the right
track!
The argument on the other side (if indeed that
can be called argument which is only denun-
ciaton) seems to assume that the Government is
the country or rather that it is something above and
superior to The country. That is no part Of our
political faith. Such is not our democracy. We
country, and that their official conduct and their
public measures are at all times, whether in war or
peace, subject to the examination and the control of
the people, according to the forms Of the constu-
ton. The President and his advisers may propose
whatever plans for the prosecution Of the war they
in their wisdom may see fit; but let them not ina
CINE, in the fitness Of their sefsaiisfacton, that
they are the people, and that all ,cisdom shall die
Uifh them. There are those whose rights and
hasa Ir,fy scf II.
so seem good, to change or reject them and if it
were otherwise, all our boosted freedom will have
resulted only in the establishment Of great central
power, which is higher and stronger than the sove-
reign people themselves, and whose imperial man
dates it is their only duty to obey without challenge
or question.
Neither the Government nor its organs have any
shadow of right to complain Of the people, so far
as the war is concerned. Never was there readi-
er more enthusiastic response than was made by
our gallant countrymen to the Executive call for
troops. Without distinction of party, without refe-
renee 10 their individual views upon the origin or
the necessity Of the war; they focked to thes stand
ard OF their country, and with generous rivalry
bore her eagles in triumph wherever they were or
dered to plant them. States, like Kentucky and
South Carolina. whose people were known to dis
approve OF the war, were prompt to meet the requi-
stons of the President and freely gave their best
and bravest spirits to the call of the country
Among the foremost in the fight were the sons of
these gallant States doing deeds of valor and dis
playing examples of heroic devotedness that will
live and glow in the pages of history till the
Republic shall be no more. And are the people of
Kentucky and South Carolina, who have expended
SO much blood and treasure in this war, and whose
names are forever identified with It's most brilliant
achievements, to be denounced as traitors to the
country because they dare to differ from the Presi
dent and his advisers upon their plan for the con-
duct of the war! Well and proudly may they re-
spond to their slanderers in the words of the elo-
quent and indignant Patrick Henry, when subjected
10 similar charge from the minions of monarch.
. IF THIS BE TREASON, THEN THE MOST 1T y