The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-03

threats which Mexico had thrown out, ofthe determi-
nation TO make war upon her, in case of annexation.
Under these circumstances, what less could they do
than to apply to Major Donelson, and ask whether the
United States could assist iheml or what less could
he do, than to reply, that assistance should be ex.
tended TO themi II is ridiculous to say this en-
lghtened champion of American faith presumes,
hatwe were bound to send troops to Texas, whether
there be Mexicans or not Why send troops, if there
were no Mexcans expected What benefit could
Texas or the United States derive from unneces-
sary movement The further assertion, that we
were bound to expend so much money in Texas,
whether there any occasion for il or not is Just
as illibera in the supposition it is unfounded in
fact.
l6. That is to say, it is competent for an editor
to whatever he pleases to be true; and then,
upon his own idle Imagination, to condemn those
whom he wishes to assail.
[7,l Such is the noble system Of tactics which
this critic would have pursued! He would have
permitted the Mexicans to advance stealthily upon
the Rio Grande, before one of our soldiers had land
ed at Corpus Christi. The difficulty of landing
men, munitions, and provisions, was to be en-
countered in the face, perhaps, of an enemy
encamped on the shore The Dragons were
not to set out from Fort Jesup, on jour
ney Of several hundreds of miles, until it was
ascertained, beyond doubt, that many thou
sands of troops were entering Texas and about to
occupy the strong points on the east side of the
Rio Grande. We were thus to permit the Mexi-
cans to occupy positions on this side of the river
and upon that of possession to claim the country
on the final arrangement of boundaries. According
to the wise principle adopted by our administration
our troops are not to drive any Mexicans from the
posts they now occupy. According to the tactics
Of the New York champion of our American faith,
we should either have to depart from this rule, or
see it extended, to give the Mexcans the better
chances of multiplying their posts on the east of
the Rio Grande.
The ''New York Courier" indeed, dwells upon
the expense we have sustained, and plants its
foot upon the principle of economy. 1t lisa strange
mode of saving money, to post our troops on the
Sabine, and wait until the Mexican troops are
concentrated, perhaps, at Matamoras. But while
we are waiting from hour to hour, we must keep
and at hand, to move our troops sat hours notice."
otherwise, we certainly could not get them (steam-
boats, &C., ready Sat an hours notice." We should
suppose it would be much wiser to send off our
troops to Arkansas, without keeping many trans
ports constantly under pay, until we should hear
of the encmy's actual arrival or immediate APP
proach.
And then, as to the other argument of this wise
statesman, we should avoid ''a necessary cause Of
offence, and all appearance of defiance" We do not
very well see what mighty difference it makes
For, if we were to post our troops on the Sabine,
would not the Mexcans see that the object was to
attack themi And this would be defance-with the
further disadvantage, too, that we might invite them
the sooner to move upon Texas, and give them the
vantage ground in fighting US. But the "New York
Courier is not pleased to tell us how far according
to its principles, the President might send troops
all into Texas, without his making war and
violating the constitution. We are at some loss,
too, to understand the "New York Courier on
another pont-upon what part Of Texas we might
land our troops when they were posted on the Sab.
inc; whether they could advance to the Rio Grande,
or only to the Nueces; or, could we do either of
these, without declaration Of war by the Congress
of the United States'
In word, the whole course of the "New York
Courier and Enquirer is as weak in military
point of view, il is crude in the eyes Of states
man, and disgraceful to the character Of an Amer-
can.
The great attempt of the late article seems 10 he
10 show tnar gover"nneHs mas been prihciPa'iy
actuated by the provisions of "secret compact
which exists only in the morbid imagination of the
New York Courier and Enquirer. This conclusion
is as lame and mpotent as the whole attack is
futile and Liberal