The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-13

4
Is to say that if the then latest proposi-
lion of England was her ultimatum, " war
was inevitable" 1t was in the debate on
these resolutions that Mr.. SEVER, of Ar
Kansas, declared that "war would Gomez"
and that the United States 'shad passed
the Rubicon." Then it was that Mr.. AL
LEN, of Ohio, announced his desire to
"prepare the hearts of the people for
war;" and that he had no doubt the peo-
pie of the United States would g compel
the Government to fight for $40 40'. All
these gentlemen took the ground that in
this matter MIR. Polk could not recede,
and the English Government would not,
and therefore war was inevitable Before
the close of the first session of the 29th
Congress, in view OF their various war
movements in and out of the Legislature,
Mr.. BENTON charged that s'the Senator
(Mr. CAss) and his party, and the big or
gan, and those which have followed his
notes, hare been leading the country to a
war Wih Great Britain, upon mistake,
upon blunder, upon an ignorance of trea
ties and geography. The mistake has
been exposed by reading the treaties
and producing the geography. Instead of
admitting the error, the Senator from
Michigan, for himself and his friends, per-
severes in it.; and thus what was mistake
in the beginning becomes design--a de-
sign to have a war with Great Britain,
without daring to name the pretext." In
the same speech Mr.. BENTON describes
himself as the man who saves his country
+" from senseless, ignorant, and unjustifi-
able war"
We all remember the agitation and alarm
created throughout the country by these
warlike demonstrations. They deranged
business. They disturbed the calculations
of men. On the seaboard they caused
mischief incalculable, and changed the
relations of property and value to the
amount of countless thousands. The peo-
pie had no confidence in the wisdom and
patriotism of the chief advisers of the Pre-
sident. When they heard Mr.. BENTON
denouncing the newspaper which was the
official organ of the administration, and the
member who was its organ on the floor
Of the Senate, for designing to plunge us
into war with Great Britain, without
daring to name the pretext, they knew not
what else to anticipate. They feared the
probability of war, and conducted their
business accordingly.
What would have been our present con-
dition if General CAss had been President
instead of General TAYLoRl Where should
we have been with Mr.. ALLEN in the De-
partment of State, and kindred spirits in
all the other departments of the govern
mentl With CUBA on the one side and
CANADA on the other-and the best of
unreasonable to believe that we should
have been at this moment involved in
wars with both Spain and Great Britain
Wnnld shara .~s h--.-~. L---, "a oil -v',e,,ts,
a universal distrust and apprehension of
warl Would this great republic wear the
aspect of tranquility and confidence which
it presents at this momenti
The people of this country confde in
the disposition for peace expressed on all
occasions by President TAyLoR-and they
have been impressed with his uhcompromis-
ing determination to maintain our neutral
relations exhibited in the affair of the war
steamer United States. They know that
no thirst for popularity-no desire of Civ
ing sclat and brilliancy to his Administra-
tion-will distrust his serene and majestic
prudence. Therefore it is, that in con-
dition of public affairs which, under other
circumstances, would excite well-founded
apprehension, the business Of life flows
calmly in its accustomed channels. This
public confidence is the noblest tribute
that could be paid TO the character of
ruler The Chief Magistrate who can
thus command it, may well look down un-
moved on the violence of faction and the
virulence of libel. He need not wait for
posterity to do him justice. He reads
justice and gratitude in the eyes and hearts
Of tranquil and trusting people.