The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-15
For the | Mon
OUR COUNTRY.

OUR COUNTRY.
Now is the hour for patriotism to exhibit Itself
for parties TO throw aside party feelings and prelu-
dices, and display that unanimity which we have
heard 80 much Of And yet, in this hour for cool
ness of judgment, promputude and decisiveness Of
action, what do we see' Ii but yesterday we
heard II boasted, that, should war come upon u.s. we
SHOULD be found as one The echo of these
words has not yet died upon ears, and we our
country invaded, our officers slain, u Mexican ban
ditt plunderlng and numbering our army, and then
finding safety in Mexico, while she disclaims the
act, though afording them protection and where is
the truth Of the prophecy Yes, we man;
but like the man in the fable, with his belly and
members at war. The very men who have been
preaching and proPhecying unanimlty, are the first
To SOW diseord and confusion. Is now the time to
deliberate Is this the time tor nlasisriy aeuity3'
An enemy Is on our soil, threatening US, and deal
ing death and destruction around him. Shall we
sit still, collaborating in cold debated" Our small,
though valiant, force is in danger. The last news
have from them, states that their supplies have
been cut off by armed force, stationed to inter-
cept them. The army is surrounded and may now
be making desperate struggle for their lives. Is
this war; Is this state Of hostility Is this an in
yasioD' The common feelings of humanity cry
aloud for to render prompt and full assistance TO
our brothers IN arms. Ii man finds himself al
lacked in the streets, does he deliberate as to his
courSei II man finds his house entered in the
night by robbers, and sees them plundering and
damaging him, does he dehberate'-does he
preach caution TO himself, and fear hasty step
defend his OWN Or, does he not, rather, fear that
he cannot be too quick He does not stop to ask
what their intentions. This is no time for
drawing nice distinctions, defining technlcalities.
We want to see bold, prompt, and decided action;
and wo 10 that man who refuses 10 act. Halfway
measures never suit with nations, however well
they may serve for party purposes. The
events Of 1912 must surely be forgotten,
a.
municate with the English government our in
tentons, or ask what theirs were' No; nothing
Of the kind was done. The United States declared
war, and hostliues were instantly commenced on
our part, without giving any notice to England.
And there existed no reason why we should. In
l77S, how was war proclaimed between England
and France England broke the peace by the re-
call Of her minister War may arise after mutual
declaralon-after a unIlateral declaraton-or with
out a declaration from either party. A declaration
of war cannot be required as matter Of right. The
only thing which, under any circumstances, would
make il proper, would be a warning to those with
whom we were about TO engage. This would be
magnanmity-nothing more nor less. Certainly
Mexico, while crossing and ravagng borders
does not imagine we are gong formally TO declare
war, rather than repel at the invasion. Mexi-
co has done all she could 10 provoke a war. II is
none Of our own seeking, but forced upon US. For
bearance ceases now to be a virtue She crowns
all the fraud and deception practised on US by send
ing home our minister, whom we had sent min
lister of peace which in itself sufficient deca-
ration Of war on her part. Would England, or any
other nation, have borne the half of what we havei
Where is the Indignation which should fll every
American heart at the recollection of Santa Anais
treachery, in most basely shooting his Texan prs-
oners. This act characterized him as a violent,
treac herous, and barbarous man; and he is fair
specimen Of the Mexican people, and of what any
Of their generals would do if similarly situated In
view of all the facts we have before us, and the APP
prehensions under which we labor, how can we ac-
count for the course pursued by the National Intel
ligencer-that chief exponent of the principles
views and plans of the wing party 1t has left its
party, and gone forth alone, and accounts for the
late votes on the war measures of the wings by say
ing they abored under deluson. Yes delusion
which we hope and pray they may ever labor
der, if be such if to support country be de-
fusion. Our motto must be sour country; right or
wrong, our country" We are one free, great go-
rious, and happy family; and injury done TO one
member affects all. We have got toto difficulty and
fright or wrong" we must help our brothers out of
it; and that we will do at all hazards. The question
seems to be raised by certain advocates of strict JUS
lice and lovers Of country, to the right our army
has to be where it is. They fear we have invaded
the enemys territory. Our boundaries can easily
be ascertaned by reference to bill lately passed,
extending our revenue laws the State of Texas
There they are clearly laid down.
Some seem TO think that "war could not be made
with Mexico, without touching the interest and ex-
citing the jealousies, of all nations trading with us.'~
AS to national jealouses, we fear nothing If war
should arise from such causes, able to meet
it with any nation. AS to national interest," we have
kind and watchful regard; and it is therefore our
duty to make this war as short possible, never
permitting ourselves to sustain the smallest defeat
but by an overwhelming force go forth to conquer,
and stop nothing short of the whole of Mexico, or
peace for California, and the payment by Mexico of
the costs Of war. !
Speech of Mr.. Crittenden in the Senate yesterday