Document D
If our ills were of a nature that war would remedy, if war would compensate any of our losses or remove any of our complaints, there might be some alleviation of the suffering in the charm of the prospect. But how will war upon the land protect commerce upon the ocean? What balm has Canada for wounded honor? How are our mariners benefited by a war which exposes those who are free, without promising release to those who are impressed? But it is said that war is demanded by honor. Is national honor a principle which thirsts after vengeance, and is appeased only by blood?...The undersigned cannot refrain from asking, what are the United States to gain by this war? Will the gratification of some privateers compensate the nation for that sweep of our legitimate commerce by the extended marine of our enemy which this desperate act invites? A war of invasion may invite a retort of invasion. When we visit the peaceable, and as to us innocent, colonies of Great Britain with the horrors of war, can we be assured that our own coast will not be visited with like horrors? At a crisis of the world such as the present, and under impressions such as these, the undersigned could not consider the war, in which the United States have in secret been precipitated, as necessary, or required by any moral duty, or any political expediency.”
Annals of Congress, 12th Congress, 1st session, vol. 2, cols., December 15, 1811
Document D:
4) Is this document the position of a WAR HAWK or DOVE?
My answer: DOVE (against war)
Am I correct?
3 answers
1 answer