Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-04-12
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
WAR OR PEACE.

well as logical neighbor of the Globe, has long been
only to call down upon ourselves i'll names by way
of argument, yet there are matters in which even
own repugnance to deal with such adversarles
cannot always be consulted.
In that paper of Monday last there is a labored
attempt TO show first that the late act Of annexa-
ton is no breach, on our part, OF the subslstng
treaty engagements between and Mexico; second,
that if il were, Mexico would be bound herself, by
treaties, not to resort TO reprsas until she hau
presented statement Of her injuries, claimed sas-
faction for them, and received refusal. IL then
proceeds to argue that, though Mexico and Texas
be at war; the effect of our incorporating the latter
Government with our own is necessarily and right
fully put end to that war, because the country
in which Texas is thus merged is at peace with
Mexico. Now, all these paradoxes a little too
violent TO pass unnoticed
AS to the first point: the Globe admits that the
treaty Of amity, commerce, and navigation, signed
on the 5th April, 1891, pledges between the United
States and Mexico ga firm, invioable and lasting
peace throughout their territories and between
their people, every where. But this engagement II
easily gets for, it urges, it is not true that
we are bound by this article of the treaty never to
declare war, under any circumstances, against
Mexico
Perfectly true, thus far nobody will dispute that
the treaty did not divest-nay, that treaty could
dvesteither nation, simply and absolutely, of the
right of war. But it does and must dvest either OF
that right, ercepf remedy for injuries contrary
to the spirit and purpose Of that treaty; and this
effect of the engagement the Globe puts out of sight,
capital the matter it is 1t is an evasion thus
to argue in general that the treaty leaves us the
right Of war for it leaves none, ercept IN this
acay as the last resort for the redress of positive
and serious national wrongs, for which Mexico shall
have refused the necessary amends. Now, since
we alege against her nothing of this Sort it is clear
that we fathiessly violate the treaty if we exercise
without cause the right of war. But we will give
the Globes arguments, with all the advantages OF
its own language
cit will probably be said that bound by this article
not make upon Mexico that the admission of Texas
into the Union under existing circumstances equivalent to
declaration Of and that is consequently violation Of
this article of the treaty.
ts All these Is ertons plainly erroneous.
In the first place. it is not that bound by this
article of the treaty declare under circnm
stances against Mexico We declare by the treaty the exist
ence peace between the countries and promise to OBJ
in future but this promise, there specific
provision the subject would not deprive OF the ordinary
natural right aggression injustice when offered by
the other The party committing aggression act Of in
justice upon the other violates the treaty which then to
be obligatory and leaves the suffering party liberty under
abe law and usage OF nations declare defensive
Such would be the under the general law OF nations
and without special provision but in s instance there
Is the less doubt upon the subject nasmuca Is the oc-
of is foreseen and provided for in the treaty it.
self BY the thirty fourth article in order to make the rela
sAans estslii-~i ~. rbe srea,y - WIN
permit the parties agree upon several provisions that may be
supposed have this operation and among other things the
following
what indeed be expeeted of the articles
,,ned n the presnt treay shall be violated or nfcea in any
manner whatever stipsaied that neither OF the contracting
parties will order auhaze acts OF reris or declare
against the other eompais OF injuries Or damages ~
sented TO of sac injuries damages
verified by competent proofs and demanded justice and sa-
tscton and the same shall have been refused OF
ly Delayed
Here the mode proceeding of supposed viola
of the treaty specified, and the right of making war
the failure of other modes OF obtaining redress recognised
There is therefore, peence for the assertion that decaa
ton of would be- y such, violation Of the treaty
Thus the Globe ITSELF. in endeavoring 60 make |
out its own case, shows what we have said-that
the treaty leaves no right of war. except for hostile
injuries for which redress 10 any other wise
be obtained. Without such injuries, we may make
war still, certainly if we like; for we have that
power; but the will then be not only an unjustd
one, because causeless, but peridious one, be-
cause in violation of our solemn pledges ofirendship.
What "a declaration OF war, merely as such,
would be, we pretend not to determine. If any
body ever talked about declaration OF war as either
Just or unjust, apart from any. cause Of war, he
surely talked very little 10 the purpose, and The
Globe lust as little when it ihus endeavors to show
that war may be right--if there is cause for IT,
Yet the Globe seems 10 consider this piece Of tauto-
logy as an entirely decisive reply;' for it pro-
ceeds so to say, in introducing its next proposltsp
which, when fairly arrived at, in the second para
graph below will be found quite bold in adyanc-
ing what was never before argued, that Just gwen
is singular in demonstrating what never before was
disputed After what we have cited, it next goes
on thus:
But independently Of this reply, which is, however, en-
frely decisive may be further remarked that the admission
Of Texas and with propey be represented as
declaration Of against Mexico, equivalent TO
This easily be made apparent by few brief and obvious
considerations
The suppositon that by the admission OF Texas into the
Union, virtually declare against Mexico. implies that
the relations Of the United States with Mexico would tate their
character from those which exist between Texas and a
country But this obviously the Of the truth On the
admission Of Texas into the Gnion her relations with Mexico
with all other foreign countries take their character from
those Of the United States II the United States for
pie, with Great Britain, Texas by becom
ing member of the Union, would be placed pso jaeo 10
of with that Power The United States being as