Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-08-09
LEvYING WAR IN TEXAS.

the government paper* as well as the veteran edi-
tor himself, should, we think, be endowed with
penetration enough to discover that the Intelligent
Ger, designing no needless warfare on the Unions
principals can of course desire no controversy with
their mere organ. If we do not, for whatever rea-
son, deem it part to harass the Administration,
surely il would be but amiabe, if not discreet, to
lei us alone, and not insist that we shall worry
them about things on which we show ourselves dis
posed to let them off.
In late article OH Texas, we merely glanced at
the question of our relations with that country, as
involving not involving such apoiificai cOnneTion
as implied our identity with that people in matters
OF peace and war; and, on this subject, we express
ed our opinion, SO far desired to be explicit,
that the two nations have to such a point mixed
their faith and their fate, that if Mexico made
war upon Texas, we should be bound to assist her,
and that it would therefore be the Presidents duty
TO send troops &c. thither.
Beyond, we other questions; but these we
were in no haste to treat For first, we saw that
they must come up of themselves at no distant day;
secondly, we consider it for those who have created
these difficulties to lead the way, at least in sug-
gestons and solutions and, thirdly, we are. we
Think left at liberty, by all the late Of public
action which the country toerates to grow somewhat
slack of propounding to the word-mongers, hair
splitters and strictconstructions in power,
Piles, however strong-doubts however solemn
that merely regard the exercise of new and very
great constitutional powers.
The Administration seems bent, however, on
having us speak out; and we shall yield, rather
than suffer its organ TO pass LAS it is eager to
do) our opinions for what they are not.
As we hold, and every body holds, that the ille-
gal seizure and trial Of Loualler and the mprson-
ment of Judge Hall, at the close of the war of
1912, were questions, not Of law, but of an impera
tive necessity, and that the commanding General
would have been right in those acts if the safety
of Louisiana had in any sort demanded them; SO
now hold that the existing position of this Gov
ernment as to Texas is such justiies the Execu-
tive in using the Army and Navy to shield her from
invasion, while the process of incorporation already
legally begun is in progress.
Yet the step is one Of discretion only vested in
the President by Necessity. That necessity might
or might not have been anticipated, and so provided
for Ought it ought it not to have been foreseen!
Can any one doubt? Nay, dare any allege that
it was not distinctly foreseen by the Government
and by Congress as Of most probable occurrence
How. then, is the ruling party to be excused for not
having taken to avert' by legal provision for
the conuncture, this need of resort to an act of
such far-stretching Executive discretion And why
has not the President, with the approaching contn-
gency for several months before his eyes, sought
from the Legislative power authority for the act?
That he had time to do so, the date of the Military
and Naval orders NOW at least two months oid) or
that of the engagement to Texas entered intoby Mr..
DoNELsoN with the Executive assent, abundantly
proves. If then, the necessity for this illegal act Of
mere discretion has occurred it has occurred through
the choice Of the Annexationists and the omission
of the Administration.
Nor is this by any means the worst that is plainly
probable, although we not that any body has
yet attended to il.
Even under view of the extent To which
true necessity would, for the moment and until
power can be regularly conferred. Legitimate our
sending troops to Texas, the President is quite in
defenslble, if exceeding the measure of the neces-
sfy, he keep not strictly on the defensive and with
in the settled limits of the land whose proper popu-
iation merely, and not its territorial pretensons it
is now necessary to defend. But il is apparent
that Texas has claimed, and we fear il is equally
apparent that the Executive has granted, the
patton of every thing up to the Rio Bravo; which
occupation is nothing short (as every body knows)
Of an invasion of Mexico. 1t is offensive war, and
NOT the necessary defence of Texas. And should
prove think il will, that the President has
gone this additional length then the President will
be MAKING WAR, in the full sense Of the word, on
his own authority and beyond all plea of need,
and even without any thought of asking Legislative
leave
While on this subject, not sought by us, but fore
ed upon us by the want Of discretion of the gov
eminent paper must deliver ourselves of another
doubt connected with it, and which has for some
time cast its shadow upon our minds. We cannot
shake off the impression that Col. KEARNEY's force
now somewhere the Rocky Mountains, has
destination not altogether pacific. Avowedy, il was
sent to watch over the safety Of the Oregon emf
grants. AT best, is the Government doing right in
encouraging these rash and llstarred wanderers to
swarm thatwayl They go in bands strong enough
to protect themselves, however; and regiment Of
dragons is only like to strip the deserts of the
forage which the emigrants need more than they
need guards But as far as we see, these troops
give, by their course, no token Of meaning to look
after the caravans. Have they, or have they not,