Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-10
THE WAR.

redes and, consequent upon that event, we hope
proposals for the cessation of hostilities, which
ought TO be promptly assented to on part. will
be Immediately rendered We have no doubt,
that, if Herrera, who superseded in the Pre-.
sdency by the revolutionary movement of Pare.
des, had remained at the head of the Mexican
government, the American Minister, appointed in
consequence Of an intimation on his part Of a will
lingness to renew negotiations, would have been
received, and that peace would have been preserv-
ed between the two nations by mutually salts.
factory arrangement of the various points in con.
troversy between them Herrera's overthrow,
indeed, was the admitted consequence of his anx.
iety to avoid an open rupture with the United
States, the sincerity of which, if we give him
credit for ordinary sagacy and prudence, we
cannot question; for it is impossible that he could
for a moment have deemed the resources and The
power Of Mexico at all adequate to such conflict.
Paroles, it is true, is not less sagacious than Her.
rera, and ought to have been restrained by like
conviction. But his position essentially DIFF
ferent. 0verthrowing Herrera, upon the ground
mainly Of the willingness Of his Administration TO
renew diplomatic intercourse with the U. States,
he was constrained, in order 10 maintain his con-
sistency, as we'll to avoid similar fate, to as
sumo a laughter tone and more warke atti-
tude-especially as in the interval. a territory
claimed by the Mexican government, and oocu.
pied by Mexican citizens had been invaded by the
army Of the United States. Going into power
under such circumstances, a failure to resent
by force this "new indignty and outrage" las the
Mexicans regard it,) would have been followed by
a prontlcidRento, on the part OF some one of the
a. Il. r.
he would speedily have followed Herrera to the
walks of private life, or Santa Ana into exile
Should he now be compelled in turn, to relinquish
position which he holds not by the choice of the
people of Mexico, but by an act of violent usur.
patton, and his successor should manifest will.
ingness to adjust promptly and equitably the sub
jects in dispute between the two governments, we
will not for a moment question the readiness Of
our own government TO put stop 10 the efusion
Of blood. Even if Paroles should be able 10 main
tain his position, and profier terms of peace, such
as will give US indemnity for the past and secur
~ for the future" there ought 10 be hesitation
in acceding to his proposition; nor will there be,
unless il has been determined to convert the war,
into which, it is alleged by the Administration or
gans, we have been reluctantly compelled to en-
bark as an act of self defence, and in order to re.
pei "a wanton aggression, into one Of conquest and
spoiation. This, however we will not believe
until it shall be avowed.
There is, we confess, in tho tone with which
the Executive Organ dwells upon the prospective
operations Of our army in Mexico, and the dazzling
pictures it holds up to the public view of the go-
rious conquests which it is destined to achieve,
and which are TO be consummated only by the
capitulaton Of the City of the Montezumas, some.
thing to excite Apprehension that the war spirit
which has been evoked will not easily be e1orcis-
ed; but we vii not, ia despite Of these belligerent
symptoms, permit ourselves to believe that the Eek.
ecutive has determined Tor that Congress will con.
sent to it, if he has, to prosecute the war farther
than just regard to the rights and honor of the
nation imperiously require. Ours, as it has been
well observed, is a mission Of peace, not Of war;
one of "aGnexation," if you please, by purchase
and cession. a. long there may be a foot of
contiguous territory 10 excite our cupidity am.
biton, but not Of conquest and subiugation. And
predetermined as is confessediy the result Of the
extension of our national limits, until we shall re-
alize the grand conception Of 'ocean.bound
Republic" even by the peaceful acquisition Of the
territory Of our neighbors, no rational mind can
doubt that the addition to our possessions OF an
immense territory, occupied by an ignorant, hete-
rogeneous and bgoted population, like that Of Mex.
ico, by force Of arms must terminate first in the
dissolution ofthe Union, and ultimately in the sub
version Of our limited constitutional government,
if not in the destruction Of representative instl.
tutions.
But we are in favor Of as speedy a termination
Oi the Mexican war as possible, because Of lis
tendency, if protracted, to strengthen the power
and TO augment the patronage Of the Executive
and to lead besides to eEtravagant expenditures
and TO an enormous national debt. the payment Of
which is TO press heavily upon us for many years
90 come. Already we are told, the expenditures
Of the government are not less than half a mil.
lion Of dollars daily, although not one half Of the
force estimated to be necessary for the invasion Of
Mexico Is Yet in the field. TO what amount thi,
sum will be augmented hereafter, should the wa
DE long protracled, aud especially If in It's pro
gros- We should be involved, as il not at all impro
bable, with some one Of the great European pow
ers, Il l. impossible to compute. As measure
Of economy therefore, and without regard to 9th
or weighiy considerations which will readily sug
gest themselves to every rejecting mind, a resto
huOh o. peace n sPetuilb rs u can De eHeC-
fed, with due regard to the rights and honoi
Of the nation, D. "a consummation most devoutly
10 be wished" While the war continues. how
ever, IL ought to be prosecuted with all the ener
Nv and vigOr which We arc able TO exert Tor tina
l. tho most effective mode, unquesuonably, 0
s,conquering peace" which makes the enemy fee
most aoutely the calamities Of war. Men an,
snoney, to the foil extent Of the demands Of tn
Executive, ought 10 be voted, a. they have here
sosore been, by Congress; aud we are glad to say
hat, from the commencement, OF hostilhies unit
SOW. vhatsver difference Of opinion may haV
existed in regard to the wisdom or PrOpri''y of