The Arkansas banner., 1843-12-23

1 INN>"S w isiiiiSht. INOi 10 SuCll ct COfuItlOn Ol things to be deplored only because of the in- dlvldual suffering attendant upon it. The eff fects are far more extensive. The Creator of tEe Universe has given man the earth for his resting place, and its fruits for his subsist- ence. Whatever, therefore, shall make the flrst or any part of it scene of desolation, affects lnjurlously his heritage, and may be regarded as general calamity. Wars may sometimes be necessary; but all nations have common interest in bringing them speedily to close. The United States have an inn mediate interest in seeing an end put to the state of hostilities existing between Mexico and Texas. They are our neighbors, of the same continent, with whom we are not only deslrous of cultlvating the relations of amitv. but of the most extended commercial inter- course, and to practice all the rights of a nelghborhood hospitality Our own inter- ests are deeply involved in the matter, since, however neutral may be our course of poli- cy, we cannot hope to escape the effects of spirit of jealousy on the part of both of the powers. Nor can this Government be indif- ferent to the fact that warfare, such as is waged between those two nations, is calcu- lated to weaken both powers, and finally to render them, and especially the weaker of the two, the subjects of interference on the part of stronger and more powerful nations, which, intent only on advancing their own peculiar views, may sooner or later attempt to bring about compliance with terms, as the condition of their interposition, alike de- rogatory to the nation granting them, and de- trImpDtat to tho >f tl,o IT,;+ +oJ
 We could not be expected quietly to permit any such interference to our disadvantages Considering that Texas is separated from the United States by mere geographical line, that her territory, in the opinion of many, formed portion ofthe territory of the United States, that 1t is homogeneous in its popula- ton and pursuits with the adjoining States, makes contributions to the commerce of the world Ill the same articles with them, and that most of her inhabitants have been citi- zens of the United States, speak the same lan- guage and live under similar political institu- tions with ourselves. this government is bound by every consideration of interest as well as of sympathy, to see that she shall be lett free to act, especially in regard to her do- mestic affairs, unawed by force, and unre- strained by the policy or views of other countries. In full view of all these consi- deratfons, the Executive has not hesitated to express to the Government of Mexico how deeply il deprecated continuance of the war, and how an1iously 1t desired to witness its termination. cannot but think that 1t becomes the United States, as the oldest of the American Republics, to hold language to Mexico upon this subject of an unambigu- ous character. It is time that this war had ceased. There must be limit to all wars |; and if the parent State, after an eight years struggle, has failed to reduce to submission portion of its subjects standing out in re- volt against it, and who have not only pro claimed themselves to be independent, but have been recognised as such by other pow CTS, she ought not to expect that other na tions will quietly look on, to their obvious
 injury, upon protraction of hostilities.- These United States threw off their colonial dependence, and established independent go- vernments; and Great Britain, after having wasted her energies in the attempt to subdue them for less period than Mexico. has at tempted to subjugate Texas, had the wisdom and justice to acknowledge their independ- ence, thereby recognising the obligation which rested on her as one of the family of nations. An example thus set by one of the proudest as well as most powerful nations of the earth, it could in no way disparage Mex leo to initiate. While, therefore, the Execu- tive would deplore any collision with Mexi- co, or any disturbance of the friendly rela- tions which exist between the two countries, it cannot permit that government to control its policy, whatever it may be, towards Tex as; but will treat her as by the recognition of her independence the United States have long since declared they would do, as entire ly independent of Mexico. The high obli- gations of public duty may enforce from the constituted authorities of the United States policy which the course persevered in by Mexico will have mainly contributed to pro- duce, and the Executive, in such contin- gency, will with confidence throw itself upon the patriotism of the people to sustain the government in its course of action.
 Measures of an unusual character have re- gently been adopted by the Mexican Govern ment, calculated, in no small degree, to af- feet the trade of other nations with Mexico, olu eO Ot'e'"lC III JuiiouSit so siio OhitCu States. All foreigners, by decree of the 23d day of September, and after six months from the day of its promulgation, are forbidden to carry on the business of selling, by retail, any goods, within the confines of Mexico.- Against this decree, our Minister has not fail ed to remonstrate.
 The trade heretofore carried on by ouEci tizens with Santa Fe, in which much capital was already invested, end which was hecom=- ing of daily increasing importance, has sud- denly been arrested, by decree of virtual prohibition, on the part of the Mexican Go vernment. Whatever may be the right of Mexico to prohibit any particular course of trade, to the citizens or subjects of foreign powers, this late procedure, to say the least of it, wears harsh and unfriendly aspect.
 The instalments on the claims recently settled by the Convention with Mexico, have been punctually paid as they have fallen due, and our Minister is engaged in urging the establishment of new Commission, in pur-