New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
SOME FORMER CONTROVERSIES IN WHICH
ATKINSON WOULD HAVE BEEN ON
THE WRONG SIDE

SOME FORMER CONTROVERSIES IN WHICH
ATKINSON WOULD HAVE BEEN ON
THE WRONG SIDE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Perhaps the best advice that could be given
to Edward Atkinson and the earnest ana us
tinguished in Boston. Chicago and eise"here
who sympathze with him Is to turn up the pages
OF American history in which are recorded the
events of the War Of 1872 and that with Mexico
which latter conflict resulted In expanding our
territory to the extent OF 10000 square miles ta-
most equal to the area OF the thirteen original
States). as Senator Hoar has himself informed US
1t is curious to note. in this connection how MS
tory repeats itself, The New-England States were
opposed to the War OF 1872; they objected 20 the
pillaging OF their commerce and the descent OF the
British cruisers and privateers upon their coas's'
which they feared would be the result. TINS WAS
natural. II not patriotic. and Massachusetts was
quite much in rebellion regards the Federai
Government as South Carolina al ialer
period. The Supreme Court Of that Commonwealth
affirmed that the States had right TO oecde
whether exigencies existed that warranted the
calling forth of the militia, which meant II IL
meant anything. that any Governor could nuihry
a declaration OF war by the Federal Government
and could refuse to furnish troops Indeed in 1874.
on the very day that the city of Washington was
captured by the British. the Governor or Cohhecu-
cut withdrew all the State militia from the COM
mand OF National officers, ordering them TO OBEY
only a major-general OF militia; and Governor
Strong OF Massachusetts in a message declared
our Government the offender against Great
Britain.
In this connection It Is pleasant TO be able 10
record that. although the war was almost equally
unpopular in Vermont, when the call came her
sons sprang to arms. and that OF the less '"aii
5000 troops with whom General Macomb met ana
defeated the force OF 14o0o under Sir George fre-
vost at the battle of Plattsburs $500 were Green
Mountain boys So the present time while
select few at the Hub and at Chicago are lock
ing together" and passing unpatriotic resolutions
the fighting men OF Massachusetts and Illinois are
exposing their lives disease and the bullet that
the flag may be kept where It has been planted,
and that. in the cinizing and Christianizng OF
the earth. country shall bear noby her snare
of 1.-The White Mans Burden"
In the same way our almost bloodless contest
with Spain last summer may seem extraordinary
TO those who have not followed the history of our
descent on this continent The Mexican var arf IAN
other unpopular confcO was fought 10 nnIsh
by $3.50 Regulars and IS ss volunteers-an army OF
only triie over 5000 men-in an unoroKen series
speaking OF West Point. said: But for our
graduated cadets the Mexican War would probably
half more defeats than Victories would have fallen
TO share whereas. in less than two campaigns align,
out the loss OF a single battle skrmish.'
In referring to the Mexican War no doubt d MT
Atkinson will feel thrill Of sympathy on readlng
the aspiration OF Tom" Corwln, in Congress, who
declared that he hoped the Mexicans would weI-
come our soldiers with bloody hands 70 nos
pitable graves" Even the great Daniel Webster
was Of the opinion that the war was begun by
the Democratic leaders for conquest and terri
toriaI ACKNOWLEDGMENT" and insisted that the
course OF President Polk was unconstitutional
The Supreme Court. however, in 1854 upheld the
territorial theory OF the Constitution. which CAL
houn commended and Webster condemned
But why waste words on Atkinson ana MS CO.
terie? Had he lived In the early days OF the Re-
public and had his counses then prevailed. where
should we have been at" now? Would he nave
accepted the cessIon OF the Northwest Territory
by England in 1888, advocated the Louisiana Pur-
chase in 1903 or Endorsed the acquisition OF Florida
and all Of Spanish America west OF the mississippi
in 1919? The policy he Is urging upon us to-day
would have excluded Texas in iS45, and kept out
California and New Mexico. Alaska would now
be in the quiet possession Of Russia, and oregon
would have been a terra incognta II the united
States as a nation stands for anything, II stands
for Expansion, with big, big F.. II has grown
rich in treadlng this National highway, In spite
OF many and grievous mistakes In other directions
and IL will continue to prosper so long as ma
iority OF its citizens believe las they undoubtedly
do In spite OF Atkinson and his fuminationsl that
our prosperity has been caused by a not too literal
Interpretation OF rights under the Constitution.
THOMAS S. TOWNSEND
New York, May r. 1899.