The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-10
The PHILOSOPHY OF the message


Nearly three-fourths of the message is devoted to
the Mexican war, and every one must ad it that
it the clearest exposition of that question ever
presented to the American public.
The numerous instances given OF the treach
cry and want of faith of the government
of Mexico, in relation to treaties, in nego-
tatons and in contracts, are sufficient to
satisfy all that war with Mexico would
have been commenced years since, had not the
greatest forbearance been practsed by our GO
vernment The moment We annexed, what the
Mexican government considered one OF its pro-
vinces, war declared, and hostilities immc-
diately commenced while, the other hand'
we had for years patiently suffered the
greatest wrongs, the lives and property OF our
citizens sacrificed with inpunity, and every abuse
heaped upon us, without adopting any summary
way TO check or to obtain satisfaction for them
We think that the Presden, has placed this mat
ter before the world in light calculated to carry
conviction to the mind of every one, that we have
submitted TO every thing-to much more than any
other nation, having equal power, would have
submitted to-before the first blow was struck.
We even waited for hostile attack upon our
own soil, and have only made the one of ag-
gression for the purpose of settling the many
government.
The policy that the President has pursued in
relation to the movements of Santa Anna, has
been precisely what we have repeatedly stated;
bat we much doubt its wisdom. It is possible
that the blockading squadron could not have pre-
vented his landing some where upon the coast
and it may have been making a virtue of
a necessity to have Hallowed him to land; but
hzva in and In
not believe our government will be able 10
make any more favorable terms with Santa
Anna than with Paroles. The latter pro-
tessed the most bitter soirsd of the United States,
and made no attempt to disguise it; he was, there
fore, an enemy which we understood, and from
whom we knew what to expect Santa Anna
will lead whoever trusts him, into difficulties; he
Is all things 10 all men, and we look upon his pro-
fsssions IN regard 10 the government Of Mexico
snd towards this country, as being of the most
Suspicious character. The government of the
United States has been deceived in the assurances
it has received in relation to Santa Annals opposi-
tion to monarchical form of government. There
Is not an individual in Mexico more favorable to
such a torn, and no one who would like better,
or is striving harder to be the supreme leader, or
dictator, than Santa Anna, and when peace is
at the capital, particularly if Santa Anna con.
pnues in command Of the army, and at the head
of The government The history of the life Of that
individual is sufficient to show his true character.
He has proved himselfa traitor to every principle,
and there 10 very little probability OF his charac-
ter having changed for the better very recent
ly. To trust him in any way, would be putting
ourselves in his power. We have no alternative
but to push forward to the capitai--the war must
be prosecuted with vigor, if we want speedy
termination. We must not trust to the magnani'
nifty Of such an enemy as we are now coping
with. The Spanish character is a sufficient
guaranty that every concession proposed will be
misconstrued and indignantly refused.
As the President remarks in his Message, the
Mexican government went TO war for the re-
covery of the whole of Texas, and we cannot OBJ
tain peace by negotiation, without giving up at
least all the territory west Of the Nueces We
must conquer peace;'' and the quicker a suffi-
Gent force is collected to bring about such re-
suit, the better for the country and for the ad-
mnistraton.
The President again calls for the two million of
dollars alluded to in his special message to the
last Congress, but does not state what object he
has in view, or what use he intends making of it,
merely remarking that if disposed Of il will be pro-
perry accounted for. He cannot purchase peace"
with that small sum, upon honorable terms, and
the people still in the dark to the purposes
OF this required appropriation Congress will,
without doubt, make the appropriation, for the
purpose of placing every facility in the hands of
The President to carry on hostilites, or 10 bring
about an aInicable settlement OF the questions at
issue.
The financial resources OF the government, to
carry on the war, require great deal of aug
menting The expenditures thus far have not
been so large as anticipated, and there is still
surplus in handi but the additional force called
into service will require great expenditures. and
q loan OF twenty-three millions is recommended.
which, lis stated, will be sufficient to carry ON
the war to the Both of June, Isas, and leave a
surplus in the treasury of four millions of
dollars. II is suggested that loan of nineteen
millions might be made, and a rate Of duty pu,
upon articles which are, under the present tariff,
admitted free, that would give revenue Of abou,
Two and half millions Of dollars per annum,
rather than raising the full sum of twenty three
mItons by a loan. The duty proposed is Intended
to be merely temporary, to continue only so long
rs the war continues and to be considered only
IN the light OF awar measure. This was propos-
Cd by the Secretary Of the Treasury in bis report
70 the last Congress, but not adopted The reve-
nue. named above-two and half millions per
~nnun-couid be raised by levying small duty
upon tea aud coffee, letting all other articles
whcn are now free remain So So far as revenue
"concerned' this is very important suggestion.
and we trust Congress will carry i. into effect AZ
the earliest moment Whatever may be the re,
suit OF the operation OF the new tariff and the adj
valorem principle, il can hardly be expected that
the immediate cffec, Of the change in the system
regulating our commercial intercourse with the
world, will be 80 beneficial anticipated, and !,
will be necessary for some temporary duty to be