Yes, Mexico must be thoroughly chastised! Let our arms now be carried with a spirit which shall teach the world that, while we are not forward for a quarrel, America knows how to crush, as well as how to expand!
Whitman — edited wordingWalt Whitman1819–1892 · American poet and journalist
Broadview’s edition reproduces Whitman’s 11 May 1846 editorial, but the circulated passage joins separated clauses without an ellipsis and changes “forward with a quarrel” to “forward for a quarrel.” Wikiquote lists the circulating version as disputed. The editorial is real; the supplied wording is not a verbatim continuous excerpt.
“Yes, Mexico must be thoroughly chastised! Let our arms now be carried with a spirit which shall teach the world that, while we are not forward for a quarrel, America knows how to crush, as well as how to expand!” — An edited excerpt from Walt Whitman’s 11 May 1846 editorial; omitted text and changed wording mean this is not a continuous verbatim quotation. · Verbatim: “Yes: Mexico must be thoroughly chastised! […] Let our arms now be carried with a spirit which shall teach the world that, while we are not forward with a quarrel, America knows how to crush, as well as how to expand!”
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Evoking the themes of power and justice. Theme: "Yes, Mexico must be thoroughly chastised! Let our arms now be carried with a spirit which shall teach the world that, while we are not forward for a quarrel, America knows how to crush, as well as how to expand!". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
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Provenance
The source
Source
Shall We Fight It Out?, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 11 May 1846
Wording
Separated clauses; omitted text marked in the corrected excerpt
Yes: Mexico must be thoroughly chastised! […] Let our arms now be carried with a spirit which shall teach the world that, while we are not forward with a quarrel, America knows how to crush, as well as how to expand!
Two portions of the same editorial, with the intervening text marked by […]; follows the inspected Broadview transcription’s “with a quarrel.”
The inspected transcription identifies Whitman and the 11 May 1846 editorial, with the separated clauses and the wording “with a quarrel.” Read the edited primary text ↗
The biography supplies background, not proof of this exact wording. About Walt Whitman ↗
The underlying editorial was published in 1846. This page does not reproduce the modern editor’s commentary or assert clearance of unverified wording.
Rights status is our research, not legal advice — and copyright varies by country and edition. For commercial or published use, confirm with the rightsholder. See terms.
Fact-check
Often misattributed
The author is plausible; the form of the quotation needs qualification.
~
Incorrectly attributed to Walt Whitman Paraphrase
Broadview’s edition reproduces Whitman’s 11 May 1846 editorial, but the circulated passage joins separated clauses without an ellipsis and changes “forward with a quarrel” to “forward for a quarrel.” Wikiquote lists the circulating version as disputed. The editorial is real; the supplied wording is not a verbatim continuous excerpt. Broadview text ↗
✓Quote the editorial with its omissions and variants disclosed. Source text ↗
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Walt Whitman was an American poet and journalist. His literary reputation does not authenticate every sentence circulated under his name.
For writers & researchers
Cite this
The evidence consulted
Whitman, Walt. “Shall We Fight It Out?” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 11, 1846. Excerpted in Broadview’s “Expansion, Native American Expulsion, and Manifest Destiny,” printed pp. 188–190.
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘Yes, Mexico must be thoroughly chastised! Let our arms now be carried with a spirit which shall teach the world that, while we are not forward for a quarrel, America knows how to crush, as well as how to expand!’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/yes-mexico-must-be-thoroughly-chastised-let-our-arms-now-be/