The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-13

For the Union.
MEXICO.-No. 4.

SO great length Of time has interviewed since the
CO mencement of our controversies with Mexico,
that the origin and character Of these difficulties
seem almost to have passed into oblivion. Since
that period, a new generation has come upon the
stage The statesmen who then predominated in
the councils of the nation, longer exercise a
sway in the public councils. The present fills the
largest share in general estimation; and when the
view abstracied diverted from it. it is rather the
future than the past that engrosses our attention
In addition TO this il cannot be disguised that the
tone and temper Of political craftsmanship exercises
powerful influence in giving color and direc-
ton to the spec1ations even of the abes and most
patriotic of the conductors Of the press, in the dis
cussions Of questions involving the foreign re-
latons of the country
Under these circumstances, it isperhaps not to be
wondered at that the real history of our intercourse
with Mexico should be forgotten, or the real merits
of the questions which have arisen between the two
nations should be inexperienced. Ignorance,
Notwithstanding all the facilities for obtaining accu-
| rate knowledge, might perhaps be excused; but
misrepresentation, especially when calculated to
cast odium upon our own country, and to furnish
justification for the conduct of foreign power, adj
mits of no palliaton. When the facts are unknown,
or have faded from the memory, silence would be
the commendabe course; but nothing con extenuate
the entire perversion Of truth which has been SO
frequently manifested by those who have written
most copiOusly, and acclaimed mos. loudly, on this
topic.
| One of the most lamentable consequences result
ing from this course has been that very large and
intelligent portion of the American people are at
this time in state Of deplorable ignorance to
the real merits Of the disputes in which we are in
volyed with foreign power. BY many, Mexico
has been regarded as occupying too unimportant
position among nations to engross much Of their at
tention. No sufficient motive has been found in
the relative position and strength of the parties to
lead to the supposition that she would wantonly
and without provocation perpetrate outrages upon
her powerful neighbor, justly incur her resent
ment. The events which have transpired from time
to time have failed to attract observation, or were
not deemed worthy of remembrance; and it is only
when the measure of the annexation of Texas has
been introduced among the topics of our domestic
strifes and employed to swell the notes Of party dis
cord that our relations with Mexico have attracted
any considerable share of public attention.
| II is not, however, under such circumstances,
that questions Of this kind can usually be viewed
with that calmness and elaboration, that fairness
and fulness which can alone lead to just conclusions
or direct the Judgment with the greatest accuracy
We know not to what else than the forego-
ing and other analogous causes, can be at
tributed the egregeus Misrepresentation which
have existed, and do exist upon this subject;
and that it has happened that, with all the lights
which our public archives shed upon it, and the
most incontrovertibe proofs which history furnish
es Mexico has been held up in our legislative halls
in the most deliberately prepared public documents
and in the columns Of many Of our leading jour
nails as an innocent and unoffending party-as a
nation which has conducted herself, in her inter-
course with foreign nations, with more than Cast-
ian scrupulousness- pure in her administration
of justice towards the citizens and subjects of other
governments-as faithful in her observance of trea-
ties--and as having afforded no other cause or mo-
tive for hostility, the part Of other nations, than
her possession of rich and fertile PROVINCES which
have stimulated their .cupidity, and mines whose
wealth has excited their sordid avarice On the
more immediate subject Of Texas, her claims to
that country, though utterly at with every prin
ciple which lies at the foundation Of our own ins-
buttons, has been treated as il it were perfect and
unquestionabe; her course of policy towards il, as
warranted by public law and the principle Of natu-
raj justice, and her right to persist in waging war
to subject il to her sway admitting Of the most
perfect Justification. On the other hand the meas
ures proposed by the United Staes in her efforts to
produce pacifcation between these contending par
ties, and more recently Of annexing Texas to our
republic, have been, in the same quarters, stg-
matized piratical robbery, attempted to be per-
petrated upon an unoffending neighbor, in equal
violation Of the principles of public law and the
most solemn stpulations of treaties.
To those who have Investigated this subject fairly
and impartally, who have traced the entire history
of Mexico since she threw off the Spanish yoke,
it would be matter Of supererogation to as
sert, and to adduce testimony to support the asser
ton, that nothing can be more essentially and fun
damentaly, in general and in detail, more false and
groundless than the allegations to which we have
adverted. De Toqueville has remarked, that all the
history of the United States is comprised in our
newspapers; and il is certain, and we congratulate
our country upon the fact that, with free and in.
dependent press, with no shackles imposed upon
the expression Of opinion, and with such medium
of communication offered to every who is dis
posed to transmit his views TO the sober judgment
of the people, an opportunity Is always open to
tighten the public mind upon points on which its
judgment must eventually decide. Through this
medium when error has been committed, II may be
rectifed. The time has arrived when this public
opinion should be disabused upon those matters vi
tally affecting the honor Of the nation-when the
errors which have been SO widely disseminated
should be corrected. Not only have thousands Of
our countrymen been led (most unjustly, as we
hnk) to condemn our government for its conduct,
but the most unjust and erroneous ideas have been