Moral and Ethical Conflict Over the Mexican-American War

When a nation becomes involved in military conflict, questions arise as to what the rights and responsibilities of its citizens are during such a crisis. At the time of the Mexican-American War, these arguments dominated much of the political rhetoric in the United States, with dissenters like Henry David Thoreau questioning the need for a government if its actions were in direct contradiction to what individuals knew to be just. In such situations, Thoreau argued, a citizen was not obligated to follow the edicts of the government. There were those who supported the government's involvement in the war, however, and believed that citizens were obligated to support the actions of their government as fulfillment of their patriotic duty. This group included Congressman Stephen A. Douglas and President James K. Polk, who strongly criticized those Americans who opposed the war. But while a citizen is responsible to the government that provides him with protection and other services, it is unreasonable to expect a person to blindly support the government's actions, regardless of whether the individual's conscience believes the actions to be just. Indeed, while there are certain obligations that citizens must fulfill, they should not be forced to support a war that they believe is not justified.

For Thoreau, the government itself was a concern, both in times of war and of peace. He believed that "Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, an

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luence to put their country in the wrong in the eyes of Christendom�" (Douglas 221). To support one's country, Douglas seemed to assert, one must endorse the actions of the government fully and wholeheartedly. There was no room for criticism or doubts. Indeed, Douglas was quite adamant about the duties of a nation's citizens during times of war. They did not have the right, he believed, to question the government's decision to go to war. Douglas himself declared that: America wants no friends, acknowledges the fidelity of no citizen, who, after war is declared, condemns the justice of her crusade and sympathizes with the enemy. All such are traitors in their heart and it only remains for them to commit some overt act for which they must be dealt with according to their desserts (Douglas 222). Certainly these are harsh sentiments, but Douglas believed that in times of such crises, the nation must hold together, and its citizens, enjoying all the benefits that life in the United States brings, owed it to the government to demonstrate unwavering support. "Patriotism emanates from the heart; it fills the soul" Douglas stated (222). It was also a grave responsibility, particularly during wartime. President Polk shar

Category: History - M