The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-24
THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.

believe is the only government where every man. at the
all Of the laws would fly to the standard OF the law and
invasons of the public order his own personal con
sm ~ M. Js6srson's Inaugural address
This was not the hasty, but the most deliberate con-
kicton of statesman who stamped his character on
he spirit of the age; and whose genius, patriotism
Ind abilities raised him to the summit of human
kenown. He laid this candid opinion before a
ioubting world; and the funess and sagacity of his
Judgment have been fairly confirmed. Yet the con-
~, exertions of our government to avert from this
Nm the calamities Of war, to reverence justice,
)nd to cultivate peace, have induced some thought
ess foreigners dstrust the power of our position
Ind the spirit of our citizens. Strangers to our be-
nign policy and pacific dispositions often imagine
that we are better prepared appease enemies than
10 repel aggressions. This idle and ungenerous nor
hon has tempted the enemies Of our institutions to
as,al our character, to disturb rights, and to
speculate on the natural moderation Of our temper.
But, in the hour of trial, firm and faithful execu
ion Of enlightened counses has always put that de-
usion to fight and secured the advantages which
bur ellow-ctzens had right to expect from free,
luual, and efficient government When young
md feeble, forgotten and ne,--when oppressed
by poverty and disowned by power, we coolly cal
culated the value of our rights, and proudly main
tanned them in the open field against great, war
hike, and a powerful monarchy. Butpower too often
remembers her disappointments, fosters unworthy
resentments and cutvates opportunities to minister
to her revenge 1t was this disastrous propensity
in the temper Of nations, which prompted the ag-
gressons that, in 1872 impelled our government to
try again the issue and the auspices of bloody war
We need not dwell upon the consequences which
ensued They are engraved in the recollection of
every citizen who cherishes the pride of liberty,
and looks with complacency on the annals of Amer
ica Increase Of reputation attended the career OF
our arms, while the losses we endured were re-
deemed and Illuminated by the blaze ofglory, which
heroism kndled all around us. We taught brave
and lofty enemy to soften his resentments, to
measure his pretensions, and to calculate with dis
erection the rebound of his own blows. Since las,
we tempted the awards of war, we have trebled our
strength; we have matured our resources for hos
tile operations, and are continually moving with a
steady and accelerated pace along the track of our
well-marked destiny. And equal zeal, patriotism,
and guidance will continue protect rights, and
to distinguish the progress Of our national achieve
ments.
But the mild and wholesome radiance of this en-
ghtened age is chasing from the growing family OF
nations the vapors and passions, which corroae
the heart and mislead the understanding. We
trust that nothing will to stir the American
republics into bloody strife. Our peaceful govern
ment is clingng to those principles ofjusice which
dsarm all national enmitX, and leave no preext for
earthly potenaies to envy the power we possess or
the credit we may acquire. The world is large, and
has many avenues to safety and happiness, better
| than any which ambition can open with the power
Of her purse or the havoc Of her sword. The peo-
pie of the United States, uniformly adhering to
their noble course, are withheld by their justice,
their dignity and pride, from INDUCING in them
selves, or exciting in others, the passions of anger,
jealousy, and fear. To cherish animosities and to
Cypress mankind, are entirely foreign from their
4 Christian policy and their manly character They
have neither plundered the Golfers of the rich, nor
covered themselves with the garments ofthe poor.
They have plowed the burrows Of misery across no
gentle and defenceless brow. They never laid the
hand of power upon fallen foe, felt detection
at anothers prosperity.
But oowardice has not the virtue to preserve the
qualitieso mercy and peace. The idea, therefore,
that Mexico may assume towards us the attitude Of
war, should neither chill us into fear, deter us
from our course. We are not the only nation who
encounter the evils and calamities of war. We
can endure the heat as well as she. Her own inter-
nal troubles should beget reflection in her, and keep
the prospect Traditional misery before her eyes.
Her wretched enterprises against the republic of
IA Al g. Ill - n~
condition, and served to accumulate disasters upon
her head. History relates the unucky tale that her
military forces driven out of the young and un-
contuerable republic Of Texas, with sorrow on her
brow, and her chieftain in chains. The daughter
rep'fliated the relentless mother, and defed her
power in the tented field What can induce her to
maine, then, that she could do better in military
CONTEST against the whole United States, with Texas
in tlf lead' Mexico may indulge the decisions OF
rEeige, and the pleasures Of hope; but she can
neve lay our laurels in the dust. They have -four
ishe too long; they are rooted too deep; are guard
ed y well, and priced too much, to be shattered
or shken by a feeble storm. No; in the madness
ofar effort to destroy the growth, Mexico herself
woul toter to her fall, and become the certain and
uncsNlniserated victim of her own infatnation.
We fonjure her, then, to place no confidence in
the Ipyer Of her menaces to direct our course; but
to reprss the spirit of hostility towards us when
ever tises in her blood. Why should she indulge
any 7aue resentment towards usi What solid
grourdhas abe for complaint Does she pretend to
murnu because we are about to reannex Texas to
our UpDn' Texas was once part of our territory
we ce''d her away in 1919, contrary to stipu
la'ions With France in the Louisiana treaty. We
out take her back to our bosom, with her own free
eonsen. We are under sort Of obligation to ask
the coisint of Mexico. The time was when Mexi-
co heref was part of old Spain. Yet she asserted
her Independence Of the mother country; and when
sne nat established at the point Of the sword we
did MOI hesitate to scknowlsaoe bsr 90 a, nde-
pendent power Just 40 with Tsxas wben
| MexlcC NlOAled all her