The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-20
THE DAILY UNION.

ucccss0fb OF 1cncfdl had accustomed The
powers negotiating with them. According 10 Presi-
dent Polk, the American troops were threatened and
assaulted by the Mexieans, when they were eneamp-
ed, without thinking of any mischief on the sei OF
the United States. Mr.. Polk has strangely peryert.
ed facts. For some time he had sent corps com
nsnded by General Taylor, under the litle Of army
of observation TO the frontier Of Texas and Mexico
10 Corpus Christi, situated on the river Nueces
which falls into the Gulf of Mexico, between and
the Rio Grande or Bravo del Nore, which is, after
the Mississippi, the largest tributary Of the Gulf
As long as the soldiers OF the Union were at Corpus
Christi they were in the midst ofthe Texan colo
nists, and the Mexieans paid no attention TO them.
But General Taylor received orders TO take posses
sion OF the whole country TO the Rio Grande; and il
was, when he reached that river, that the Mexican
generals considered themselves attacked, and
took measures TO fight, though not without having
addressed several representations 10 General Taylor.
Thus the arises from the fact Of the President
ofthe United States having thought proper to seize
the country comprieed between the Nueces and the
Rio Grande. Was that done rghtfully wrongfully,
| President Polk now says that he did nothing but
maintain the rights of the United States, and that
Texas, having become al present an integral part Of
| the Union, now extended TO the Rio Grande. This
is very justly contested, and several speakers in
Congress have raised their voices against such an
assertion II strue that the Texans, by of those
DEGREES of which they were liberal enough had de-
| cded that Texas had the Rio Grande as its limit;
but they had acted in that with their habitual inso
lenee which had determined them TO encroaeh in the
same way all the other Mexican provinces, neigh
boring 10 them. They never possessed the whole
| Of the country comprised between the Nueees and
| the Rio Grande. On the Nueces side, namely on
the east this country has Texan establishments but
on approaching the Rio Grande, all becomes Mexican
The populations Of the left bank Of the RIO Grande,
Congress, and never we're in the Texan Congress
| The true limit Of independent Texas was, and
ought to be, that Of the old Mexicsa depart
| ment OF the same name. To attempt to 60 be-
| yond that, particularly without preliminary ne
gotlatons with the Mexcans and by the mere
| force Of arms of the Union, is an unjust preten-
sion founded on violence alone--is in fact nothing
but spoliation. President Polk cannot attempt 10
justify himself by saying, that the Mexlcans refused
all arrangement on the subject Of the delImaton Of
territory. 1t results from the documents which he
| has communicated to Congress-that the Mexican
government merely asked for little time to prepare
| the public mind to an amicable arrangement The
Americans will doubtless succeed in their attempt;
but will not be the less true that their government
will have placed itself above the law OF nations and
taken advantage Of its superiority in the New World
Ii gives itself up without necessity TO IDEAS Of con-
quest. Mr.. Polk may in this way gain a certain
popularity and assure his reelection, but II will be
after having sacrificed the principles Of wise policy,
that Of the illustrious Washington. He may be re-
elected, but only for having let loose the spirit Of
enactment and reused up, at the same time, the
| passions Of the multitude. IL is thus that epheme-
raj successes prepared for nations to be followed
up by disastrous reyerses The territory which Mr..
Polk thus acquires of but little value. His pro-
| ceedings towards the Mexcans have not even the
| excuse of the importance Of the prey which, at
his voice. the armies Of the United States have fall
len. Perhaps he does not intend laying down his
arms so soon, or remaining satisfied with so little.
Perhaps, once that has been entered on with
he will NOT IN tran NJ
peace, but on condition of obtaining the CALIFORNIA;.
IL is well known that the incorporation of the Cali
fornias has become the fixed idea Of the warke
party of the Union. 1t would, in fact be booty
worthy Of envy, and the name of Polk would then
| have some chance of going down to posterity.
| There is, however, amongst the maritime nations
some third power which may take offence at the in
satiabe humor that urged the Washington cabinet in
| l645 towards Texas, and in 1876 towards California.
And Mr. Polk, if he to-day obtains for the Union
the magnificent acquisition Of the CALIFORNIA;, expo
it perhaps tomorrow to the greatest of perils;
for IN fact, any fatter ones self to be able
to maintain unity for length Of time in federal
public, extending over space prodigiousy vast
| as that which runs from the CALIFORNIA; and from
Texas to Maine, and in such different climatesF"
For France, the world is well aware that, until
within the last two years, America entertained the
entertains them still; but for the French govern.
ment, administered by NJ. Guizot, she would be
unworthy of herself if she could feel the sightes,
regard. power may readily be forgiven for using
another in a moment of extremity; but power tina,
suffers itself 10 be used deserves universal execra-
ton. NJ Guizot's interference in the affairs of the
| United States at an important moment, in matters
| essentially their own, provoked an indescrbable
contempt for him as a premier in every American
| bosom; and his "balance-of-power" doctrine, sub
sequently developed, will eventually give him es
| Infamous noorlety elsewhere, both at home and
| abroad. In the of the acuusitiOn Califor.
MIA, the Dsbats ntmates that some one of the mari.
time nations would be aroused What nations
| England? Not bit of it, She is fully prepared to
| hear of precisely such occurrence, and without
any emotion whatever. The only other great mari
time nation Ia France; and without inch of foot.
hold on the American continent, it would be an alb
surdy 10 suppose that she could think of offering
any resistance. Never, in the history of the world
has statesman placed himself in so ridiculous
posture the supple M. Guzot by his subservi
ency to British interests. He has completely out
| HerOded Herod. In few weeks the elections come
off in France, and though they may not result en-
tirely adverse to him, yet it is confidently asserted
that he will not get through the next session. The
Daily News, some days ago, read very valuable
lesson to all who were engaged in preventing annex
alton. Dickens, the editor, as his "Netes" will
show, cannot be suspected of Partially to the Uni
ted States. The News says:
"The consequence of the late battles on the Rio
Grande, and of any others which may follow to tn
discontinue of the Mexicans, not only renders thu
United States triumphant over their neighbors, bu
destroys the power and prestige of the Mexican mil
itary party In ordering hostities and blockade Z
avenge the refusal to receive Mr. Slidell, Mr.. Poll
attacked the government Of Paroles, as much as thu
state of Mexico and his success involves the fall o
Paroles and the destruction of military influence
Under the patronage of the United States, Herrer'
may now resume the government; make the desired
cession of territory and by organizing the nationa
militia proceed to the reduction Of the army. This
no doubt, places Mexico under the influence, if no
under the subsection, of the cabinet of Washington
The Spanish republic becomes but boat in tow o
the mighty Anglo-Amercan vessel. One would
have wished it otherwise. But has it been avoid
abe'
European diplomatiss have cut very foolisl
figure in the midst Of these events. Had they hell
aoof altogether, and allowed things to take thei
course the Americans could not have accused then
of interfering, or Knocked them for failing But tn
negotiations for Texas and the vain attempt to Sc
cure its independence, displayed the wishes and ct
forts of England and France, and displayed them IL
all the modification of failure Whether diplomats
| inf nencp w emnloved n UNFOLD Paroles and tn