The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-10
EUROPEAN OPINION OF AMERICAN AT
FAIRS

The Boston Daily Advertiser quotes at consider
able length an editorial article from the Journal des
Dsbats, a journal which, from its connexion with
the French government, wields an influence on the
public mind Of France greater than would
naturally belong to the ability with which 1t Is CON
Quoted We give the article below. IL will be read
with interest But the impression produced by II
on the minds Of our readers will differ widely, we
apprehend, from the view taken by the Boston Adj
yertiser. That journal quotes the article to show
show rapidly the present administration are under
mining and destroying that national reputation
which the wisdom and moderation Of our govern
ment IN past years had established"
The Advertiser says, very truly, that the
annexation Of Texas, the proceedings Of our
distaBtsful TO the foreign government journals.
Nothing can be true, and for this plain
reason; Some Of these journals regard our
federal constitution political nuisance, and
government towards Mexico, and have been quite
would be glad to see it abated. OF course they
are not pleased when they see new realm brought
under its protection. Especially they displeased
at this, when they reflect that it leaves less room
on our continent for intervention" like that
IN tnc Id IldlA-iOT ike
that sought to be established over Texas-for a
balance power system in America, such as NJ
Guzot approyed-and for such mortgages on the
mines Of Guandxata, or on the lands of California
have been given to English creditors. All these
things please the European government journals
much better than anne Ration or the war with Mex
leo.
Rttu haya nften had IL, 81,
ylgor, decision, and prudence with which our for
egn relations have been recently conducted, have
done much to challenge for our government the
most respectful consideration of the lead ing Euro
pean powers. Our diplomacy never stood higher
In Europe than it stands to-day. We have cited the
proofs Of this heretofore they reached us by each
successive arrival We believe that the future has
more Of such proofs in store for US; and, meantime
we are willing to refer to the spirit Of this very ar
tlce, quoted from the leading Partisan journal, to
show that this view is correct. From the begin
ming to the end, the article hostile and preiudced
it is, shows that its writer is deeply impressed
with the energy of national character and the breadt
and comprehensveness ofnntonal policy indicated by
the proceedings which he describes. One important
fact in the case however, the Journal des Debats has
forgotten, and the Daily Advertiser says nothing to
bring 1t to recollection That fact is that the admin
lsradon, while vigorously prosecuting the war with
Mexico, has yet sought earnestly, and always. for
peace; and that while "he violent and absolute party
whose dominion IN the United States is constantly
increasing, endeavored to obtain means to facilitate
the negotiation of treaty, those means were with
held through the senatorial action of prominent
leader Of that other party, which has always been
the object of especial favor among these same for.
egn official journals. We give the article AZ CON-
veying the impression produced in Europe bv our
national policy in those circles most disposed to an
unfavorable view oft This prejudiced spirit explains
the very gross exaggeraons and misstatements with
which the article abounds, though it has not pre-
vented the writer from looking with respect upon
the energy which our government and our people
have displayed in an important crisis of our foreign
relations.
From the Journal DIES Dehats
"The latest news from the U, States tell us nothing
more on the events of the war against Mexico; but
we learn farther from them, the character which this
war has decidedly taken, and the issue that it must
have.
"When President Polk caused hostilities to be
commenced, 1t in contempt OF the constitutions
which reserves to the Congress the power TO de.
clare 1t was on vain preteXt and without
any proper motive. The President hatered him
self that he should excite popular enthusiasm, and
probably thus create for himself distinguished titles
to a reelection. Success has answered his efforts,
even beyond his expectations. The American de-
mocracy has shown, at his CALL very victorious
temper. The whole new continent seems scarcely
TO be sufficient for it, and in the mean time, 1t must
90 over to the lsthmus of Panama. The idea OF
conquerIng Mexico has also hattered the national
vanity and taken possession of all minds The
States OF the south have seen in 1t for themselves an
addition to their strength against the PrepoHderance
of the north. The young democracy OF the west
ern States, which scrupes at nothing, has applaud
ed more than all the rest Of the Union, the INVASION
of Mexico, because it hopes TO sgnaze itself there
by military exploits; and the occasion is good TO
satisfy this desire at a cheap rate.
Thus the voluntary enroments arc made with
ardor. The President, once armed with the powers
which Congress delegated to him, had asked
for about twenty thousand men, without counting
the army of the line, and he had divided his total
amount among the different States. Immediately
the lists of enrolments were covered with signatures
Men advanced in age have thrown themselves into
this movement, and among Others an old senator
has been spoken of, who has enrolled himself like
young man. They 60 to Mexico as if to accom-
pllsh national work, 1t seems to be thought
holy war, crusade; they vow never to treat of
peace, till within the boundaries Of Mexico, and
under the canopy Of the halls Of the Monrezumas.
"This enthusiasm ia manifested by land and sea.
Nothing stops it, not even the ard and unnhublta
BILE deserts which, at several points, separate the
United States from Mexico. Thus from New York,
a maritime expedition of volunteers has sailed for
California, doubling Cape Horn, Young men from
the school at West Point have abandoned their
studies make part of it, and of the professors
of this institution has been unable to resist the gen.
eral attraction. Another expedition is about to
leave St Louis, Missouri for Santa Fe, the capital
Of New Mexico, under the orders of Colonel Kear-
ney. They will have to pass over two thousand
kilometres of country almost as destitute of water
the desert of Barca.
"These regiments of volunteers form themselves
after their own will, nominate their own officers,
and govern themselves with such discipline as they
please, until they under the authority of a Uni
ted States officer, who finds it difficult to make them
bend to his authority. For difficult and active
war, where they were opposed by experienced
enemy, these would be very had troops, but against
the Mexlcans, who do not know how to make war,
and who lack intelligent officers, these soldiers do
very WELL and unless they sent to regions which