I wish we’d heard more from this freshman Democrat before the election:
Those who regard this war as unjust have the right to say so. Those who regard it as an Executive war may so characterize it when and where and as often as they please. Those who behold our brave volunteers … falling on the bloody field of battle, and yet believe that they are engaged in an unjust cause, have a right, if they choose, to dampen the spirits of our armies, and animate the hearts of the foe, by saying so. … But if we say that by such language they are affording “aid and comfort” to the enemy, we claim but the same right to characterize their conduct as it deserves …
But then, Rep. Frederick Stanton (D-TN) delivered this speech one hundred sixty-five years ago, speaking of the war with Mexico.
(Quoted in Robert Merry, A Country of Vast Designs, p. 327)
