The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-09

made to transmit the Presidents message to the
different cities North and West, with the utmost
possible despatch. GALvlENsIs
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 1886
Our Relations tcith Merico-Ihe War-Ihe Con-
stitHent Congrsss-Prospscts of Peace-Hasards
of a Faimu-EMropean Interference, &c. &c.
Before the cloud of war had lowered over our
South western fronters-before the first low
rumblings ofthe thunder portending the approach
ing tempest, were heard from the distant horizon,
we ventured the prediction that the onward
North American Eagle would soon scream in his
triumphant fight over the snow capped summit
of the Orizaba, that sublime landmark to the
mariner, which looms ont hundred miles from
the sea-coast fvera Cruz, like a "light-house il
the skies"
The storm has come-the thunder has been
heard" the thunder of the captains and the
shouting,"-and already along the heights of the
Sierra Madre and the Sierra Nerada, the eagles
of the North American Union have heralded our
nvncible legions to battle and to victory.
Now, the question is, what is to be done! The
work has gone forward with rapidly unpara-
lelled-we have already conquered a territory
equal to the whole Union east of the Mississippi,
and the war is to be prosecuted until peace is
attained. Suppose we subdue Santa Anna, dis
mantle that castle, and seize upon the city OF
Mexico, where will the Government be found
with which to treat? That is the greatest diff
Guilty. If the Constituent Congress fails, now that
Santa Anna has substantial controlling power,
to pIotter overtures OF peace, and Santa Anna
should be vanquished, and the Mexican nation
split up into predatory parties, how long will it
require to ferret them out Of their Businesses, and
when subdued, where will be the government
with which to treat!
No wonder, then, that the administration
sh ould be sensitivey anxious respecting the ac-
ton of the Mexican Constituent Congress. Upon
that action depends the termination or indefinite
prosecution of the war. We have hopes of our
appeal for a suspension of hostilites, with view
to defnitive treaty. But the thing is doubtful
The popular hate excited against the United
States OF the North, may influence the Constitu.
OF terms OF peace--they may ISSUE plans and pro.
CARNATIONS for war to the utmost extremity. They
may appeal to Europe for assistance, and they
may in some shape, and to some extent, secure
such assistance. Possibly, before the war, (under
this view is ended, France, Spain and England
may be inveiged into it, and then the ultimate
grand struggle between American independence
and European interference will begin.
We repeat, that upon the probable action OF
the Constituent Congress of Mexico, the very
greatest contingencies depend contingencies not
only involving the question OF peace or war inde-
finitely with Mexico, but CONTINGENCIES IN
certain peace Of the civilized world. No Ameri-
can will shrink from the ultimate contest-nJ
American will doubt the ultimate result. The
result will bet will have to be-the extinction
of European domination on this North American
continent The only question is to time and
upon that proposition, we avow the admnstra.
ton is not prepared to answer We have no Sc
rious apprehensons that the great struggle will
grow ont of this Mexican war but it is one Of the
probabilities of this uncertain quarrel The mes
sage tomorrow, we trust, will throw some strag-
Cling CLEAN of light INFO the thick darkness,
enabling us ~ see the lighthouse OF peace rer-
/ nd m fbs
landward side.
But suppose none OF these European nations in
termeddlc in this affair OF ours, in which they
have not visible excuse to interfere; and sup
pose, notwithstanding, that Mexico should con-
tinue obstinate and intractable, and sort of Sc
minole war should be the consequence, when the
whole country shall have been secured and occu-
ped by our troops, what is to he done! Annexation
In sonc preliminary shape, is the only alternative
And then, what II squabblc between the North
and South us TO The division OF the land
On the other Itand, let us anticipate peace
from the constituent Congress. and that before the
adjournment OF our Congress, treaty is closed
and submitted to the Senate for its ratification,
with boundary III straight latitudnal line from
tho mouth OF the Rio Grande TO the Pacific, EN-
bracing some 900 square miles OF territories
acquired by the war--what then! How will the
slave question be settled For that question will
have to be settled, and this session will be more
favorable to compromise than the next But
how will it be done No treaty admitting any
can possibly be adopted. treaty forever debar-
ring the establishment OF slavery south and west
OF the kio Grande cannot be confirmed, nor can
n treaty conceding these newly acquired terrific.
ries to the South.
In the lace of these difficulties, it has been sus
gested that the administration would accept over
lures, acknowledging the Rio Grande as a boun-
dairy, to some point near where II turns to the
norIhward, thence in straight line across TO the
Pacific, embracing Upper California, with the
condition that it is to be free territory and free
States, with the further and most important con-
dition OF all, OF the right OF way for snip canal,
from the mouth OF the Uuasacualco, (below Al
varado on the Cuff about l75 miles across 10
Tehuantepec, throngh a natural depression in the
mountains, to the Pacific. A peace upon these
terms, if proposed now, by the Mexican govern
meut, with lien upon her mines until those in
stamen,s paid, would, we are assured, be ac-
\ cepted by the administration; and from the re-
moteness OF California and the wide mountain
barriers between, we see no reason why 1t
should create any serious misgivings on the part
oil tne South Assursdly, il would be better for
the Soutn tiian an uucompromislng demand Tor
the whole oil the newly acquired provinces; and q
division oil Caliornia between the North and the
Sou'h wouid oe e"hhenty inpractcable. This,
oil course, would pe D colice sslun from the South
Z bur is not Texas a conce sslon iro IN the Northl
! But we await further disclosures Meantime
the war is To be prosecuted with redoubled ac-
tvty by land and sea and the sauabbIe in the
House Of Representatives upon the abstract
question Of Wilmot's proviso, we are apprehen-
sive. will not be postponed IN anticipation of
suspension OF hosuIIties by overtures from Mex-
co. II the war is prolonged, the mines between
Monterey and San JUS, We understand, will be
occupied and worked by the United States, 10
meet the expenses OF the army, and handsome
dividend may be expected from this new tenure
OF war oil invasion, certainly justfable, we
should suppose, and unqucstionabiy very conve-
nient In such an event, we shat probably have
n branch mint established ~ Monterey.
Respectfully, THE DocroR.