The New York herald., 1845-08-26
The War Question

The War Question.
The question of war with Mexico is still the
prominent topic of the day II interests every one
in the community, and particularly the commercial
classes, amongst whom the probabilities are dis
cussed with great deal OF acrimony and sensibii
v. The last accounts from New Orleans give II.
intelligence of new movement, and Of some new
developments respecting this most important mat
ter II seems that General Gaines has made re-
QUESTION upon the Governor Of Louisiana, for call
ing forth the militia in preparation for the war To
this requiston the Governor has responded affirm
atively. The particulars will be found in our intel
Iigence from the New Orleans papers and also from
the letter Of our correspondent.
We have nothing farther from Mexico beyond
what we have already given. A declaration OF war
and proet ofa loan of fifteen millions had been re-
ported to committee of Congress, and are now be-
fore that body for Many persons think
that in consequence of the difficulty of procuring
the money, Mexico viii be compelled to forego her
wish to make war, and that the whole matter will
end in smoke. Others think that the declaration
could not pass until after the presidential election
in that republic, which was to have taken place on
the first OF this month. But indeed, the communi-
ty here is very much dividedwith respect to the
probability or certainty of war, and awaits with an
anxiety and interest almost indescribabe, the next
intelligence from Vera Cruz or Mexico, which may
bring solution of this most important and all
absorbing question.
The tone of the government official, Wash ing
ton, which might be supposed to know. something Of
the sentiments of Mr.. Polk and his administration,
Is very equivocal and very mysterious. Some
times II would appear, from its glvings out, that
declaration of war confidently expected, and
that considerable effort is making carry ii into
effect. AT other times, changing Its tune, the official
journal seems to think very lightly OF the matter,
and to hold up to ridcule the whole of the war ope-
ratons in Mexico. From this contradictory course
OF the government organ, II Is very evident that Mr.
Polk and his Cabinet afraid of hostilities Ia
king place, while they wish that the government Of
Mexico may persuade the people not to come into
the field The opinion, however, gains rapidly
amongst reasonable men, not committed to any in
terest, and Judging of circumstances and characters
according to their natural import, that the chances
are In favor of Mexico going to war; and endeaver-
ing to make hostile demonstration of some sort,
so as TO bring in, by way OF intervention the Euro
pean powers great many circumstances and
movements, as well within as without the limits of
Mexico, would appear to point to the same settled
purpose on the part of the government of that re-
public, to bring the war fever to crisis there
1t is true several of the newspapers. and particu-
larly the Journal of Commerce, would seem to ridi
cule all apprehension of war movement, and par.
ticularly scout the idea of the issuing of letters of
marque and reprisal. These prints affect to laugh
at the statements made by us the other day relative
to the two suspiciouslooking vessels under Spanish
colors, seen cruising on the track of the American
packet-shps on the Atlantic. But this very journal,
the Journal of Commerce itself, states the fact that
they had heard of forty-fve vessels under Spanish
colors, sailing from Cuba and Porto Rico. Our
pous contemporary, apparently forgetting that the
very Goldfish of which he talks so much have hereto
fore been carried by Yankee vessels to those Spanish
islands, and that of the most suspicious circum
stances tending to show that something is in the
wind in relation to letters of marque, is this very
fact Of some fifty Spanish vessels being in the British
harbor Of ST. Johns, Newfoundland. 1t will be re-
collected that that is British port, and who can tell
but those vessels may be lying in wait there for the
first intelligence of the breaking out of hostilites in
order to pounce upon our packet ships and carry
them into some port in the West Indies. We think
our pious contemporary of the Journal of Commerce
has vastly increased the suspiciousness of the cir
cumstances related by u.s. the ratio of the number
Of vessels at Newfoundland to those we mentioned
which is as twenty to two.
We may speculate and speculate however as
much as we please, we are evidently in the com.
mencement OF an important crisis In our foreign
relations, and few days will settle and determine
whoare right in their interpretations and nferences
to the present remarkable condition of affairs in
Mexico Our firm belief is that the Mexican 60
vernmen of any party, is in such condition before
the world that it cannot retreat from some demon
stration, and il they create interest in the clergy
of Mexico, they may get the fifteen millions much
more readily and easily than our government could
get the same amount from the capitalists of This
country.
The CHAMBERS STREET TRAeEDY-This is now
the topic of universal discussion throuphout the