The daily union., 1846-06-27
WHIG VIEWS OF THE WAR.

ton TO our with Mexico. When they are
charged with opposing the war, they resent the
charge as a sore imputation on their patriotism.
Yet they complained bitterly some time since, and
they complain now, because the friends of the ad-
ministraton asked Congress, when the bill to pro-
vide men and money to carry the war came up,
recognise in its preamble that the war existed by
the act Of Mexico. The wings were then SO very
patriotic that they insisted to that they would
vote to organize fifty thousand volunteers and to
disburse ten millions of dollars for the war-proyi-
ded only that the friends of the administration
would leave il to be inferred that there toas no
par or that our gOUerr,n.sni had made an illegal and
unconstitutional par. That is, if Congress would
indetsnsbIt THEN the wings would cheerfuy vote the
men and money to fight it out!
This was the first outbreak Of whig patriotism
after the news of the Mexican invasion reached
us. Since that time-Congress having recognised
the as existing by the act Of Mexico-the wings
have seemed to be rather at loss what to say Of it,
Wing opinion as,hopsrsd rather than settled, as to
the whole matter. At last, however the leading wing
journals, after httle shifing and veering to find
the weaher-guage of popular opinion, seem to have
brought out pretty clearly and have quite generally
adopted, as embracing their view OF the whole sub
ject, three distinct and substantive propositions:
lst. That our war is unjust and unnecessary, and
was commenced by executive government
without warrant Of law and in violation of the con-
stitution.
ID. That the war, bad as it is, ought to be prose-
,ad NTH via for tha of
peace.
And Sd. That in this view, we ought now to stop
the toar and pro6sr negotiation.
This-laying out of view the craziness Of the
N. Y. Tribune, which seems anxious to constitute
itself party Of one upon the whole subject, and
which gets soundly cuffed and berated on all
sides for its palms, to make even the applause Of
its abotionist friends. in the iLiberator INSULT
cent consolation-this, we have stated it, seems
to be about the sum and substance OF the
whig view, as WEI find it set forth in the lead
ng whig journals. This is the meaning, as near
" as we can make it out, Of three four COL
umns of selections from conspicuous whig papers,
which the Integencer quoted day or two since
saying for itself only very.few words by way of
rather than definitely expressing, its en-
dorsemen and approval. 1t is quite unnecessary to
point out the exquisite consistency of these several
with each other.
But, fortunately, we have now,highsr authority
than that of the newspapers to inform US of the
stand which the wings mean to take in relation
to the war. Mr.. Webster has risen in the Senate
70 define his position, and has evidently spoken
with much care. Now, therefore, the whig policy
upon the war-in so far there is a whg policy
upon the 'subect--is brought out clearly, and, of
course, with all possible sadvannge ,,of statement
Let us see what it is
Mr.. Webster though deliberately reviewing the
nature and character Of the war on our part, says
nothing about its aggressreness ttnconsiiftuionalty
Much to the annoyance, we think, Of the whg ''or-
gans" which thus put wholly out of tune, he gives
up this point at least he secs fit to omit all mention
of it at a moment when such omission is plainly
substantial concession Of the point, and must be 80
accounted. On the contrary, Mr.. Webster twill
not say that our "invasion" of Mexico is Gun
lust" Going still further even, he adds:
"The President, by two messages-one of the 18th
of May and the other of the 18th of June-sgnifes
that he is ready to treat with Mexico upon terms of
.
that .Merco is moi ,ung to treat. In regard to this,
must say that, in my judgment if this be the state
of the case Merico is acting entirely unreasonable
and senseieS part, and the government Of the United
Staes 10 this erent, is acting proper onetha is to
saw as the war does exist and the American gov.
ernment is ready to treat, without prescribing terms
so to show that her terms would be unacceptable,
and Mexico declines to treat-why then | say, so
far the conduct of the United States is reasonable
and the conduct of Mexico unreasonable and sense
less"
And again:
"NoLhing can erceed, hare allcaus thought the OBJ
sfinacy and senselessness manifested By Merico for so
many years. in refusing TO acknowledge the indepen-
dence Of Teras. A correspondence between this gov
ernment and Mexico upon that subject took place
at n time when had something to do with the ad-
so that my attention was particularly
directed to the course Of conduct pursued by Mex
leo, which struck me as resembling-though twas
much more senseless-the conduct of Old Spain in
for many years to reconquer the people
Of the Low Countries after they had declared their in
dependence.
''Mexco must be- taught that it is necessary for
her to treat for peace upon considerations which be-
long to the present state of things. We have just
claims against her-claims acknowledged by her.
self in the most solemn form of treaty stipuations
She ought 10 make prorision for the payment oil
hose claims IN SHORT, SHE MUST BE
BROUGHT TO JUSTICE"
We pray the earnest attention of our friends, the
whig editors, to these last few words. We have
out them in capitals, so that they may catch the
,ye more easily. We have had occasion to use just
he same phrase several times in just the same con-
,exion and upon the same subject; and, when used
~ us, the phrase always seemed to those journals
wholly vague and unsatisfactory, and ominous of
ore wrong doing on-the part of our government.
We trust that the same words on Mr.. Webster's
ips will appear to our whg friends quite explicit
md altogether proper and satisfactory. But lest this
nay not be so we subjoln one passage more in Mr.
Webster's own words, both because they may be
Useful assa commentary on the preceding extracts
md as they express the whig view to the proper
curse to be pursued at present by our govern
nent:
'sThe newspapers speak Of mediation. | doubt
whether there is much truth in that; if, however,
ny offer Of mediation be made by the best friend
Te has 4 unuqt cnue doun IN this last