Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-04
To Me Editors Of he EnQuirer

To INC Editors ~ tie iIhlHHF.
Gentlemen 1T is obvious that this country has
approached crisis in the Mexican war; and, as
an American citizen, born in land OF tree in
sti,utions, it is natural should be DESTROYS To see
that war prosecuted in manner calculated to
bring about, what all desire, a speedy and homo
rable peace II must be evident that anything
emanatng from great party, or distinguished
leader OF a great party, in this country, WHICH
tends 10 cast damper ON The spirits oil large
portion OF the people-which serves 10 eneender
suspicious that zee are now wagins war against
npshborne nation Tor no definite purpose, aud
lha, nation a sister Republic, which was iniin-
encet 10 adopt that particular form OF govern.
menl BY our own noble and praisewo!lhy exam.
ple-will exert delelerious influence on our own
country, and infuse new hope and yigor into III.
enemy.
The proposition made in the Senate, by Mr..
Webster. 10 send formal embassy 10 Mexico, IN
order to adjust the existing differences between
tha, Republic and the Government OF the United
States. has, in my mind, very grave and weishiy
objections.
And, first, wonld observe, that peace con-
c.uded in The manner recommended by the Hon.
Senator can but be temporary in lis duralIon.-
Mexico. divided as she is into thousand differ
enl factions. and wrilhing under The wild sru2-
sies and pIunges Of military despolism, m'gM ic
induced at this particular time 10 listen 10 terms
Of peace; but, as soon as her interior distractions
and divisions could be healed, war might be ex
pected 10 break out again. She would commence
depredations TN our frontier QUEENSLAND The pro-
mise 10 recoDquer Texas might serve to place
more than one aspirant in The PRESIDENTIAL chair
The war which would doubtless follow such
course Of conduct would be long, bloody and de-
struclive.
NV next objection is, The uncertainty OF Mexi-
cos accep,ance of the terms which might be pro-
posed by this Government. should be induced,
from The general tenor OF popular feeling in
Mexico, and The language Of Paredes 10 think
thai. al least il would he doubtful whether Next
co would accedc 10 terms of peace, fixing the
Western boundary OF Texas al the Rio Grande.
Again the suspension OF hostilites would &C.
casion a consumption of time, which, as our fleets
and armies would be kept up would swell our
expenses considerably; and, if Mexico ultimate
" refused the terms offered by us, Gas in all pro-
liability she would,) partial union, at least, Of
her factions, might be expected 10 take place, and
the war would recommence with more vigor and
unanimty on her part. The very fact, that We
when flushed with victory, had voluntarily sus
pended all hostilites, and sent formal embassy
| 10 Mexico, 10 demand peace, would be sufficient
! 10 invigorate a nd unite Inc NexlcanS. PlausiD'e
arguments would be elaborated BY their chief
tains, 10 convince the people that we were wagirg
war asains, them which we ourselves thought
unjust and, instead OF speedy termination Of The
contest no one can tell how long il would last.
Again: We have no sort of experience in favor
of a total suspension OF hostili,es on The part Of
one OF The belligerents, in the midst of war, when
crowned with victory, and sending formal en-
bassy 10 the other party, praying for peace. This,
to say the least OF it, was not the way the MARI
boroughs, the Eugenes, The Luxembourgs, the
TURBINES, The Wellnelons and Napoleons of
Europe, and the Washing,ons and Jacksons OF
our own country, waged war.
These are my reasons for not entertaining that
high opinion of scheme, untried, so far as |
know, by which many seem 10 be 50 greatly cap
tivated. But there is another consideration which
serves TO determine my opinion on The sort OF po-
Icy We ought 10 pursue towards Mexico-1 mean
The character and temper Of its population.
The population Of Mexico is divided into four
classes-i.e c. Native Spaniards; Spaniards born
in America; the Mixed Castles; and The Indians.
The greater part OF The native Spaniards have
been expelled. The few who remain are, by far
the best informed and the most industrious Of all