Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-11-13
CarrspOudenes Of ne baltimore Patriot.
MR. POLK-THE WAR-ITS COST.
WAsHHlToS, October ss, 1886.

" N-+'iti-i ANatt CIt0ual -of Aofus
Very soon after Congress re-assembles, propo.
sitions ii IS understood, will be made in that body
for the appointment OF Select Committees Of In
vestgauon to enquire into the causes, objects and
expenses Of the war with Mexico, and the real
Truth of the case in regard TO the alleged intrigue
OF the Executive with Santa Anna.
As the matter now stands in relation to the in
ugue a mountain of censure is piled up against
Mr.. Polk. Il is time for the subject TO be explo-
red 10 the bottom, that the people may know why
and for what object Capt. Slidell Mackenzie was
sent TO Havana, where he had an interview with
Santa Anna, why aud for what object the Presi.
dent called upon Congress for two millions of dol
lars, 10 be used in Mexican matters; whether any
portion Of the desired two millions has been
drawn from the Treasury and paid away, and il
so. how much and towhom paid; how Santa Anna
and Almonie aud the Mexican Generals accom-
Panying them, came to obtain free pass through
our blockade into Vera Cruz; and lcho furnished
the passport, or gave the order for those high
iunctlonaries, who are now at the head Of the Re-
public and the army of Mexico, to pass uumoles-
ted through our squadron!
IL Mr.. Polk comes out Of the investigation un.
scathed, letihe censures that have been cast upon
him in the matter be forthwith taken back and
let the country do him justice. If, on the contra
ry, his conduct shows that the censures have been
just, let the country frown upon him with more
indignation than ever! 1t is due to the country
and due TO him that full and searching investi
galion Of the matter should be Instituted by Con-
gress. This can only be done by Committee
of Investigation, with power TO send for papers
and persons. The passage Of resolutions, call
ing upon the President or Heads of Departments
Tor the information, will avail nothing. Replies
will be delayed, or not rendered at all.
1t is time for the farmers and mechanics and
all others to look at the cost of this war with
Mexico-at lis cost in hard cash, to say nothing
of the thousand lives lostby sickness and the thou.
sand lost in battle, in consequence of it. Con-
gress, at its late session, appropriated ffy-one
millions of dollars. The money is all expended
aud the expenses of the WIN are not half paid
Close the war now-but it looks as it had only
Just begun-aud the sum of one hundred and ff-
~ millions of dollars would not more than cover
all Its expenses, according to those who are best
in calculating these matters.
just think of i-onc hundred and fifty millions
of dollars, under Mr.. Polk administration, when
in other hands, peace and California might have
been obtained, as all believe, for less sum than
ten mllions
One hundred and fifty millions Of silver dollars!
Why the sum would load one thousand four hun.
drcd siX-horse wagons, and the train of teams
drawing Ihlsamountor cash, expendedby an "eco-
nomlcal, Democratic Administration" in its war
with Mexico, would be more than twenty y-one
miles longl
Here's Il sum of money and an amount of sill
yer for the farmers, mechanics and all others to
Actually this vast sum is required |
If the people, by this immaculate Administra.
ion, to carry on war with MeXco-a war that |
N account Of the manner in which it was begun
md tho progress which has been made in IT, must
lnd ought to be carried vigorously on TO a trium-
phant aud an honorable termination, lot the cost
be what it mayl
But it was commenced improperly, and its
whole conduct, so far as this verdant Administra.
lion of ours is concerned, has been wrong. The
army was started on the wrong route to the inte-
rior Of Mexico. Supplies and ponton trains were
not speedily enough furnished. When the riv-
crs had all been crossed, then the means of cros-
sing them arrived The orders sent to General
Taylor have been too contradictory. The ap-
continents of Generals for the volunteers was for
he most part vcrdant selection of very green
men. The best of them, General Butler, show.
I'd, in his lnconslderate charge at Monterey, that
teah officers have not the skill and Judgment of
hose who for many years have kept in their har.
lessl The loss of life sustained by this charge,
md the uselessness of most of the Generals left |
It Camargo and Matamoras by General Taylor,
when he proceeded to Monterey, ought to teach
he American people the folly of comforting the
ower upon President, who is no sort of n mill |
AIRY man, or a Judge of military character, to ap.
oint such batch of Generals as those alluded
ol POTOMAC.