The Whig standard., 1844-05-17
w A S HI N G I @ N.
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY II. 1914.
EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS ON
THE PART OF THE EXECUTIVE.

EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS ON
THE PART OF THE EXECUTIVE.
The Senate sat to very late hour on Wed
nesday evening, and before adjournment removed
the injunction of secresy from the treaty and ac-
companying documents, and also from the very
extraordinary and astounding information com
muncated by the Executive in regard to the
steps he has deemed it proper to take in anticipa
tion of war with Mexico, to be brought about,
if at all, by the course pursued by the United
States towards friendly and unofending nation,
This information is, in substance, that the Presi-
dent has directed that military force-a the
United States troops that can be spared from for
tifcaions, &c.-be collected and concentrated
upon the frontier Of Texas; that the Command
ing General, Gaines, has been directed to open
communication with President Houston, and hold
himself in readiness 10 march against the Mexi-
cans should they invade Texas. That large
naval force has also been concentrated in the
Gulf of Mexico, with orders to show itself at
Vera Cruz, (to intmdate The Mexicans,) and to
attack and capture any Mexican vessel which
shall be engaged in transporting troops or NUM-
tions of war into Texas
From this information, communicated by the
President himself, it seems he has assumed the
virtual power, given to Congress alone by the
Constitution, of declaring or involving this ma
tion in war and that too, with nation with
whom we are on terms of amty and friendly in
tercourse-with whom we have no cause of quar-
rel, or even shadow of complaint! We look
upon this proceeding the most high-handed
assumption of power and as the most outrageous
violation of the good faith and honor of the ma
ton that has ever occurred in our history. There
is, indeed, nothing to compare with it in folly and
wickedness in the annals of the country-nothing
Suppose our troops should enter Texas, claim
ed by Mexico as revolted department of her
territory-rightfully claimed if she can maintain
her power over it-and should attack the Mexi-
can troops or suppose our naval squadron should
seize Mexican vessel laden with troops and mu-
ntions of war, bound to Galveston or Matamoras,
would we not, without the least provocation on
her part, and without even declaration of war,
have commenced hostilities? Most certainly
and in what position would we then stand before
the world? Can we suppose that the civilized
nations of Europe would stand by and quietly
look on such high handed proceedings. We
may rest assured no. Mexico would find friends
and allies not in Great Britain alone-France
and every other European nation would make
common cause with her. The loss of our COM
merce, which, under letters of marque and re-
prisal from Mexico privateers manned by all ma.
tons, would sweep from the ocean like mist be-
fore the morning sun, would be one of the small
est evils we should feel. The loss of national
honor and character, the contempt and distrust
we should bring down upon our heads, may ap-
pear TO be of small moment to those who cannot
appreciate the value of national as we'll as indi.
vidua character; but these would be gone, and
we should become the scorn and by-word of all
Europe, nor dare TO lift up our heads among men.
And for what is all this loss of character to be
incurred! Simply to CRAFTY the vanity and
promote the ambitious projects of few reckless
and desperate men-men whose love of power
is SO great that they are willing to do any des
perate and disgraceful act to retain it-eyen TO
sacrifice the nations good name, and plunge her
into most unhoy contest-a contest in which
we are the aggressors, and wholly uujustifod in
the sight of God and man!
Let those who would thus involve US in dis
grace and in infamy, be held up to public repro
bation-we had almost said execraton. And who
are they that are thus driving the nation headlong
into unprovoked hostites! Who are they that
have given directions to our land and naval forces
to attack weak, an unofending, and a friendly
na'iona Let them stand before the American
people abashed with shame, if men SO desperate
are not past feeling shame and compunction
they are JoHN TYLER and his late and present
Cabinet. Their names are known to the world
let them be held responsible.
In connexion with this subject, we copy the