Martial spirit and the press : the Upper South and the Mexican War

The Mexican War unleashed a wave of martial enthusiasm across the United States, especially in the South. Men rushed to join volunteer units by the thousands. And yet, as the war dragged on, there appeared a noticeable decline in interest and zeal for the war. A question arises as to how the war was presented in a medium of wide distribution, namely the press. More specifically, how was the war presented in the states of the Upper South, particularly in those with antipathy towards Mexico and with military reputations and traditions.

For this study, Kentucky and Tennessee were chosen because of their similar histories and close geographic proximity. A selection of newspapers, from both the Whig and Democratic parties in both states, provided a range of viewpoints from which to examine the sentiment towards the war. Utilizing six specific events, drawn from throughout the war experience, the press in these two states are examined in order to determine how it perceived the war, as well as what similarities and differences existed in those views.

Generally, two conclusions became quite evident. While the political presses in both states remained loyal to their respective parties throughout the conflict, the papers did unify in support of the state volunteers. Politically antagonistic, the papers of each party extolled the virtues of the volunteers from their particular state.

The war did not cause any major deviations from the normal course of business, whether political, mercantile, or social, carried on by the newspapers. At times it seems to have been almost forgotten. And yet, the presses of Kentucky and Tennessee used the conflict for the furthering of their military glory and possible political advancement.