The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-12
THE DAILY UNION.

tery became the mere organs Of political revolu-
tioniets. Anarchy ruled the entire land; and the
most energetic and most intelecual-v-at the same
time the most NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the exclusive
possessors of sovereign authority. Revolution sue
ceeded revolution. The forms Of republic were,
TO certain extent, preserved; but they exer'ed no
greater influence and commanded greater respect,
than they had done in ancient Rome, after every
vesge Of liberty had been erased by the Pretoran
guards of the Emperor.
In such position of the country, where the law
yielded no protection to the native, It could not be
expected to afford shield to the foreigner. Rapne
and murder sialked unchecked through the land,
and atrocities were daily perpetrated, which were
Justly characterized, by one of our distinguished
statesmen, as barbarites without parallel or preoe-
dent in the annals Of civilization. Citizens of the
United States, possessing more yigor of character,
more industry, more skill il business, than the
tives, soon became conspicuous FOX their prosperity
and wealth, and thus ee vated bccSme tempting OBJ
ects to rouse the cupidity ri INTERPRETATIONS. In
vain did they appeal the cdIstQed authorities of
the land for that protection wfichhad been guaran-
tied by the most precise treaty stpulaons; the pub
lie unctionares were too generally the actors or the
accomplices in the deeds Of cruelty and oppression,
to afford them either security or redress. In vain
did they invoke the nterposition OF their own gov
eminent; the remonstrances Of dpomatlsts were
wholly Ineffective. The facts which they alleged
were either denied with the most unbushing disre-
gard 10 truth, coolly passed by with contemptuous
Indifference, or met with vague and indefinite prom
ises of inquiry and compensation, which, In post.
ponng the demand, accomplished every purpose
which was either desired or designed. The annex
ed papers furnish, from authentic sources, a brief
but faithful narrative of this portion of Mexican
history.
AT and prior to the time when Santa Ana over
threw the existing constitution, obliterated the
federated republic, and constructed on its ruins
military despotism, numerous Americans had es-
tabshed themselves throughout the various prov
inces Of Mexico, and had engaged in prosperous
career in every department Of industry. The COM
mcrce between the Two nations had in brief period
swelled TO ain amount exceeding nine millions of
dollars annually. Steam-vessels navigated their
rivers mills erected for the purpose OF
cutting their immense forests Of valuable timber;
plantations of cotton, sugar and coffee estab
lished; and the natural resources of the country
rapidly developing to the great advantage of the ma
ton, and of the individuals interested in these inn
provements. This scene of prosperity was, how
ever, speedily changed. Every engine of oppres-
SION was put in motion, to outrage and to expe
this most invaluable population, and thus TO extin-
gulsh these prolific of public and of private
wealth. A feeling of intense and indiscriminate
hatred to foreigners was artfully fomented; and
without remorse, without any effort TO arrest the
act, without any apprehension of punishment fol-
lowing the offence, the lives Of American citizens
were ruthlessy sacrificed, millions of property
plllaged or destroyed and all the pursuits of bust
ness wantonly annhilated.
Resistance to the designs Of Santa Ana was nj
tempted in several Of -thc States of Mexico; but all
opposition speedily 9uclled by the sword of the
desPo, and the bayone,s Of his soldery, save only
IN the frontier state of Texas. From various cir
cumstances, it had occurred tina. a larger proper
ton OF Americans and foreigners had established
themselves in that province than in any other por
ton of the territory of the republic. Although
feeble IN numbers, they were undismayed by the
detection which was elsewhere manifested, and, in
spred by the love of free Institutions they deter
mined 10 protect their constitution, and to defend
their rights against the usurper. 1t is an entire
perverslon Of the truth to assert that Texas ever
reyotted against sovereignty TO which she owed
allegiance, or fevolutionzed an established govern
ment. She maintained her Institutions against the
efforts OF Mexico to overthrow them, and adhered
oyally to the constitution which the residue of the
republic iaDored 10 subvert, or were impotcnt TO
preserve. Her glorious victory at San Jacnlo con-
hrInedher independence Of the new central soter-
eighty which Santa Ana had Succeeded in establish
ing; and Texas became forever separated from
what, under new political institutions, still contn-
ued 70 claim The name of the Mexican republic
liaving consummated this act of separation,
lexas was shortly after recognised as distinct and
independent state, by the United States and other
principal powers of the world. Mexico persisted in
her efforts TO reduce her to subection but the war
in consequence of The inbecility Of Mexico, contin-
ued to lansuisi and degeneraed into miserable
but annoying system Of niarauding forays Under
these circumstances the citizens of Texas conceived
the idea pfassociatlng themselves with this Union
This project, after encountering many and serious
mpediments has at length been perfected by the al
most unanimous voice of the great body of her pco-
pie, and been ratified by the constituted authorities
of both nations.
In reviewing the history of the relations between
fhp IpItp State md Mn 81,
the latter has rarely found the conduct Of the for
MGR, any pretex, for complaint. The proceedings
OF our government In relation TO Texas have fur
nshed almost the only acts which Mexico has even
pretended to charge ms unjust or injurious to her.
These proceedings, up to a very recent PERIOD have
been thoroughly vindcated in the reply of Mr..
Webster to the arrogant communication Of MIR. Boz
canegra TO the diplomatic corps In relation to the
recent act of annexation, Mexico has alleged, rs she
did IN the preliminary proceedings, that we have vi
oated her clearly ascertaned national rights, wey
as own solemn treaty engagements. The irnpu-
taon involves the violation of good faith and a
breach of positive contract. IL the accusation is
well founded, the act cannot be too severely rep
| rotated, or too harshly condemned If unjust, it
should be proudly and Indignantly repealed. Anat
tempt has been made, in the first series of the sub
Joined papers, to exhibit the true merits of this
question in fair and dispassionate form.
II will be readily perceived that the principal OBJ
ject aimed at in these papers has been show that
Mexico has not even plausible pretext for assaiI-
ing the honor and integrity of this nation in refer
ence to the subject of Texas; that the charge of in
lracng the law of nations, of violating treaties, or
in any shape or to any degree imparing her rights,
10 utterly groundless IL is only in this aspect that
the question has been handled. Considered. in this
point of view, it forms an important item in the his
tory of our relations with Mexico, which it has beet
the exclusive object Of the entire series of these ar,-
Giles to illustrate II did not fall within the scope of
the writer to vndlcate the act on any grounds that
were purely domestic. How far the measure was
IN accordance with our interests and policy-how
far 1t was in conformity with the principles of our
conshuton-are questions certainly OF grave impor-
lance They have been discussed elsewhere with con-
summae ability. Upon them the author entertains
the most decided opnons and these opinions have
been expressed, without hesitation reserve on other
occasions. To discuss them this occasion, would
he departure from the exclusive object of the pres
ent publication, which is restricted the single point
of indicating the honor, integrity, and good faith
of his country in all her relations with Mexico and