The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-21
ON the Albany Atlas.
rTOm tnb hlDhh1 AliAi
THE WAR on THE RIO GRANDE.

Notwithstanding the mass Of news from the south
western border, with which the journals have been
filed httle has been added To the first Information
received which gave us the account OF the loss OF
The detachment under Thornton. What little authen-
tic has bren since heard-the escape of Thornton,
the confidence of General Taylor in his ability to
maintain his position-bas bren calculated to con-
firm the hopes and confidence Of the country in our
arms.
But the intelligence and the r,imors leave doubt
of the serious character Of the hosues commenced,
and that we have entered upon a war, and must
meet its response hilities and consequences. The
universal sentiment of the people has dictated the
duty Of government, to meet the emergency with
the boldness and energy which our honor demands.
In the instincts of the people, the counsels that should
govern this crisis, well the vgor and patriotism
that must meet il, are to be found. Thus far the
administration and the Congress have obeyed that
impulse. The preparation for the contest has been
made with prompttude, with vigor, and with pa
trioc devotion and the representatives of the peo-
pie have seconded the government with firm hand,
and what is no less material, with full one
The American people are not trained to war.
They have relish for the discipline Of a stand
ing army in the hour OF peace; and the past genera
ton has been spared the sad experience of actual
warfare The army is small, and is not, like those
Of the Old World, representation Of the people
1t s on the patriotism Of the citizens that we depend
and yet no man dIstrusts that dependence.
NO man LOT u iUOmcnt, tne SUCCESS
of our arms. The question at which men hesitate
is not How far within borders will the tide Of
foreign invasion reachi but upon what boundary
will the returning wave Of conquest break
The sentiment which the masses Of the people
speaks teaches the duty Of all With the fact be-
fore them of an invasion of territory claimed and oc
cupied by u.s. and attack upon our army, and the
death of our officers and soldiers with actual war
proclaimed side, there can be but one duty
for our citzens-to sustain the government. Nor is
that duty less imperative if time shall DISCLOSE it
soon may, that we fight foe subsidized by the
monarchies of Europe, an illegilmate republic hired
by foreign foes to strike down liberty, and to OBJ.
struct the progress of free government in the New
World, and TO forbid, by the unhappy spectacle thus
presented the extension of republican principles in
the old 1t may be that out Of this war may arise,
and upon this generation be the task Of meeting, the
great and perhaps final struggle between the prnci-
pie Of republicanism and of monarchy. Most Ger
tain 1t is that if we come out of this contest, our
name dishonored, or our strength impaired, we
shall find an array Of enemies to ourselves and our
principles in the powers of the Old World, which
would never venture to challenge in the prosper.
Gus issue of our arms.
For the sake Of peace, then-peace not only with
Mexico, but with the world-the hostilities COM
menced should be prosecuted with vigor. This is
the sentiment of the masses of the people, so per-
vading that even the spirit of party opposition,
which, on the first tidngs of collision, nstincvely
questioned our cause and cr:minated our govern
ment has been compelled to yield to it. 1t is the
universal sentiment of the democratic ranks, every
where manifested and the democratic representa-
tves in our own legislature in expressing it, have
hut responded to the universal impulse Of the party.
The resolutions adopted in the republican caucus of
Wednesday last, on this subject, received the appro
val of eighty-seven democratic representatives,
"Resolped, That in prospect of any difficulties
which may arise from the unsettled state Of the ex
sting relations between our general government and
the governments Of Mexico and Great Britain, zoe
do pledge 10 The national administration the cooperation
ans support Of the democratic party Of Ibis State, 10
sustain, under all circumstances and in epery emergency
The honor and digyifu of The n1fion.u 7,