Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-08-23
THE ..UNION" AND THE "MEXICAN CUES
TION," ONCE MORE


editor of the Union shall define our position in re-
gard to the Mexican question With every DISPOSE
ton, doubtless, to do justice to our arguments, he
would yet, fear, succeed little better with them
than he does with the geography Of Texas. He
might with the same facility, place us beyond the
Rio del Norte, as he placed San Antonio de Bexar
beyond the Nueces and, although he has discover
ed and corrected the latter error, he might be less
successful in detecting his misnterpretation Of us.
Let the editor be assured, then, that there has
been no change Of the position which we promptly
assumed after the action of the Texan Congress
upon the resolutions for annexation, that our Execu-
tive would be justified in defending Texas against
Mexican invasion, inasmuch as the United States
had by theacceptance on the part of Texas of the
terms offered, acquired an nchoate right to protect
it from any foreign interference. From this posi-
ton have not attempted to back out nor shall
we retract single word which we uttered on the
occasion. The question upon which we take issue
with the Union is not whether the President of the
United States is right in employing the public force
in defending Texas from invasion, but whether, in
exercising this right, he has invaded the territories
of another Power, and waged foreign war. This is
the question, and out Of this arises the inquiry,
what are the boundaries Of that other Power! We
know that questions of boundary are not to be set
tied by the dictum of any newspaper-one even Of
SO high authority as the official journal and fortu-
nate that it is SO. In employing, therefore, the
terms "settled limits, Aactual limits " acknow-
lodged limits in reference to the boundary Of
Texas, we meant-what? To put forth merely the
conclusions of our individual judgment! Certainly
not. We spoke of limits and boundaries conceded
by the concurrent opinions of public men, the acts
of our own Government, and the common consent
of the world. Does the Union dispute this! Let
us refer him to one authority which occurs to us,
which, if it be not entirely orthodox on the ques-
ton of annexation will at least not be ascribed by
the Union to foreign influence, and will be sufi-
Gent hope. to silence its cavils and its unworthy
imputations. In the speech delivered by Mr.. BEN
TON, in the Senate of the United States, in May,
1874, on the Treaty Of Annexation, the editor Of the
Union will find this passage
sConcurring with Gen. JACKSON now, as / did
SO many years ago, in the necessity and import
ance OF recovering the country sacrificed by The
treaty Of 1919, | cannot admit from any thing
that have yet seen, that he is in favor of this
particular treaty. ! assume the contrary, and ra-
: Their suppose him to be against it, when and
examined by him; and that upon data which
will exhibit TO the Senate. The data is this: that
: in 1929, being the first year of his Presidency;
General Jackson undertook to render the great
service TO his country of getting back our sacri-
feed territory; and, by instructions through Mr..
Van Buren, to our Minister in Mexico, proposed
to purchase back the whole, or any part Of the dis
membered territory which could be obtained. That
proposition Of General Jackson did not go the
length Of this treaty by ftc0 thousand miles II
stopped at the mountains which lie at the head of
: the Red river and the Arkansas--and which divi-
ded the ancient Louisiana from New Mexico
aud in the desert prairies which lie 10 the east of
the Nueces |! HIS propositions included no part of
NeU Merico, chihuahua, CoaLuiiu, and 7dmatf-
ipas. IL eriended TO no part Of The riUer, or epea
ofhe galley, Of the Rio del Norte. Not drop
of the water Of that river-not an inch Of the soil
OF its valley-did he propose to disrupt from its
old possessor and to incorporate into our Union.
General Jackson was wise man, and Just man,
and he assisted by another man, his Secreta-
ry Of State, who was also wise and just. They
meditdfed no such crime or folly as that Of adding
the left bank Of the Rio del Norfe, from head 10
mouth, to our Union. In seeking TO recover the
dsmembered part Of our own country, they did
not undertake TO dismember the empire Of neigh
Dor. Like general, he the natural frontier
of his country in The ridge Of mountains at the
head Of The Red riUer and Arkn,sas, and in the
desert prairies which lie east of the Nueces; and,
like statesman, he was for limiting the domain
: OF his country to this natural frontier. Leaving
the whole valley of the Rio del Norte TO the Mexi-
cans, and taking the whole valley Of the Missis-
sippi to ourselves, he sought line suitable to
both parties, more than hunored miles This side
Of the Ro Graade, and even east of the little river
Nucces, solitary frontier Stream connected with
no system Of rivers, and without single ceoCra-
phical affinity, and falling into the Gulf Of Mexico
in shallow and difficult part of its coast This
was his boundary, and no act Of his life shows
more wise and enlightened forecast. less saUa-
cious head would have stood out for our ancient
claim TO the iower Rio del Norte; his Judgment
enabled him to see that that would be an encroacb
ment upon the geographical divisions OF Mexico
would bring the population of two great countries
into contact and collisiongive rise to disputes Cor
the navigation Of the river, and the possession Of
its moutil-and SOW the seeds of eternal disscn-
sion in advancing salient angle Of one empire
into the natural domain Of another. His sagacious
mind saw this and, waving the question Of old
limits he took those which the future peace and
harmony Of the two countries required, and left
the whole extent OF the Rio del Norte--every inch
Of its SOIL and every drop OF its waters, with all
its towns and villages, and all itsfelds and Aocks
to It's ancient Pessessors, who had held for CEN
turies."
. Here is Democratic authority for the Union, and,
without seeking any further, fully justifes us, we
hink, in regarding the constitutional operations of
-