The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-22

uiaeed they haze 10 hope haa 10 Jea'
from the chances " foreign inpasion belligerenl
powers do not make war oa private property IL 10
the interest and the duty Of the American govern
ment to respect British property In Mexico as much
as the Mexicans would do; and Ia the epeHt "
any haaysr Of territory, all piUais property, bui
especially the property Of nsutras, Is clearly protected
By the Laps oflhe dominant pOcsr. This opinion Is
80 strongly entertained ia Mexico that many OF the
principal landowners and proPretors IN Northern
Mexico are beitr affected TO The United States Than 10
Asir goosrnmsni, on The express gro.nd Of he So
psrior protection Dhieh the former UOuld afford 10 pr
cate property and The Immediate increase Whieh oOGid
take place Ia the paius " land and me Transactions q
foreign trade.
There are political and territorial reasons of great
weight which induce US TO view with regret, though
With alarm the progress Of the United States to-
wards the southern limits OF North America. But
il we look at this contest on the ground Of British
interests exclusively, il may be questioned whether
the consequences Of the utmost conditions Mr.. Polk
is likely TO exact from Mexico would inaiet any
injury whatever on private British interests in that
country. The public creditors Of Mexico are in
deed in different position, but their misfortunes
must be attributed To the absurd legislation, prodi-
gaty, and final bankruptcy OF the Mexcans Them
selves and the prospects Of the foreign bondholder
have, of course, sunk with those OF the state TO
which he intrusted his money.
No case for the interference Of this country either
alone or in conjunction with the other European
powers has been made OUT 1t has not been solicited
10 any definite form by Mexico; il has not been
warranted by any act Of the United States, since
they have carried on the war with propnety to-
wards neutrsls. The only species Of Intervention
which could be OF use is, therefore, that which
Lord Aberdeen and Lord Palmerston have both sue
cessiyely proffered-namey, an amieable mediation
between the two countries.
The Americans would, we have no doubt, be
glad, IL possible, 10 terminate this affair soon as
they can. The war Is disgusting and unpopular TO
all the better classes Of the American people, al
though they were unanimous in their resolution 10
exicate the army from the critical position in which
Mr. Polk had dared To place II. The volunteers
are troublesome, and the expenses Of the army en-
ormous. The force collected in the Gulf Of Mexi-
to attack St. Juan de Ulloa is thrice as strong
that with which Admiral Baudin carried that for
tress and yet lis success is doubtful, from the Pc
culiar nature Of the coast To fail in such an en-
terpise would be intolerable humiliation TO the
American navy; and yet to succeed in IL is only to
do what the French had done before with smaller
squadron Upon the whole, then, the cabinet of
Washington must be aware that they have no rea-
sonable prospect Of terminating this war by any
action Of extraordinary lustre and il they wise
statesmen, they will put an end TO hosIilities in
which so little credit is TO be won.