East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-03-28

condemns Taft's policy in Mexico,
Every time Il condemns Wilson 9 |
policy in Mexico, it condemns Lin
coins policy in Mexico. Thus, In his
message to congress December g.
1864. Lincoln said
Mexico continues 10 be a theaterl ]
Of civil war. While our political re-
lations with that country have under
gone no change, We have at the same
time, strictly maintained neutrality
between the belligerents"
It was a policy Of watchful waiting
and not a policy Of armed interven-
tion.
Before his election TO the presiden-
cy, Lincoln, as a congressman, was
bitter opponent OF thar armed inter-
vention in Mexico, which we In TINS
day refer to as the Mexican war. He
introduced the famous spot resolu-
ton which was strong Endorsement
OF President Polk for making war on
Mexico.
The resolutions charged that the
first blood shed was the blood OF
people who fled at the first approach
of the United states army leaving
their homes and crops unprotected
and that the "spot" where the first
blood so shed was within the incios-
ure of one Of the people who had thus
fled.
few days later, speaking Of Pres
ident Polk. Lincoln said in the house
HE is deeply conscious Of being In
the wrong; that he feels the blood OF
this war like the blood or Abel is cry
ing to heaven against MN; that orig
inally having some strong motlNe'
what. | will not stop now to give my
opinions concerning-to involve the
two countries In a war, and trusting
e to escape scrutiny by fixing the pup
llic gaze on the exceeding brightness
8 Of military glory, that attractive ram
n bow that rises in showers Of blood
that serpents eye thar charms to de-
/ stroy, he plunged into it, till, dlsap'
y pointed in his calculation of the ease
:, with which Mexico might be subdued
q he now finds himself he knows no
where"
At some length, Lincoln went OF
with the denunciation OF the presiden
and of the whole war enterprise
y showing up the incongrulties OF tn
presidents war message. Lineoln'
Il whole attitude was bold resistance
y to the jngoes and war advocates |
was an attitude exactly identical VIII
that Of those who resist the clamo
. of the jingoes, mine owners and mil
/ tary editors who now demand arm
L ed Intervention in Mexico.
le Speaking Of Lincoln's action, Har
II per's Weekly says:
II Some of Lincoln's closest politics
advisers thought that Lincoln's ag
: gressive stand against the war wit
Mexico was bad policy. one Of thes
. was his partner, w. H. Herndon. 7
y him Lincoln answered: 4 will stak
my life that If you mad been in m
place. you would have voted just a
did. Would you have voted whs
YOU felt and knew to be a lie?
le know you would not. Would yo
have gone out of the house-skulke
the vote? l expect not"
&c. Lincoln's opposition TO the Mexiea
war was freely used against him b
~ Douglas in the historic Lincoln-Doul
or las debate. At ottawa, Illinois. AL
Nv gust 81, 1853, speaking of Lincoll
,r Douglas said:
40 whilst in congress. he distinguish
:, ed himself BY his opposition to II
ga Mexican war, taking the side of I'll
ss common enemy against his own couI
Il, try; and when he returned home
y found that the indignation Of the pei
pie followed him everywhere"
Douglas attacked Lincoln in II
ID same vein at Galesburg, october It
,is and at Alton october 18th in the la
:, joint discussion of the famous debat
ga Douglas said of Lincoln:
10 1T was that when George Ashmu
!. of Massachusetts, brought forward
resolution declaring the war uncol
t. stitutional, unnecessary and unju'
Lincoln had voted for 1t. Yes sa
Lincoln. I did Thus he confess
,le that he voted that the war was wroI
O. that our country was IN the wrol
it. and consequently that the Mexicai
~. were in the right"
Cost what it might, lincoln W
thus aggressive for principle. and
. principle he was opposed to arm
invasion Of Mexico. His teaching
his vote and his public record atte
his splendid purpose on that point.
purpose emulated by President w
son.
In condemning Wilson's policy
Mexico, the Oregonian throws Abr
ham Lincoln overheard, So do