The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-04

Be IL remembered, then, that the whole American
people were outraged in the person OF BALDWIN, an
American citizen, who, for no crime, was exposed
like feIon, in the public stocks in the city OF Mex
leo, and afterwards confined in loathsome dun
geon. Be the Of Patty and his companions re-
membered, who were Imprisoned at Diego, and so
cruelty treated that he died, although they were IN
offending and virtuous men. BE the twenty-one
Americans remembered, who, at Chihuahua, were
treated like thieves and robbers, though innocent
Let not the brave seamen OF our national sloop Of
war, Natchez, be forgotten who were cast into pri-
son at Vera Cruz, and there Inhumany treated.
Let il not be forgotten that the American Consul
Burroughs was threatened with like treatment il he
dared TO interfere in their behalf Let not the
Of Mr.. Slacum, OF naval officers, be forgot
ten, whose public papers were seized, although he
displayed his passport from the United States govern
ment. Let the ffty-seyen cases of Mexican outrage
on American citizens, as authenticated in a report
from the Department OF State be remembered And
in addition TO these accumulated wrongs, let the Pc
cuniary losses of our citizens for which Mexico is
responsible, her promises to pay indemnities, and
her neglect to do so, and the ndignity offered to
the American people IN the person of MIR. Slidell,
our ambassador, by her seornfu rejection of that
gentleman, after she had expressed Willingness TO
receive him, be remembered.
The following is the language OF President Jack
son, 80 long ago as February, 1897:
"The length Of time since some of the injuries
have been committed, the repeated and unavailing
applications for redress, the wanton character Of
some Of the outrages upon the property and per-
sons OF citizens upon the officers and flag Of the
United States independent Of many insults 10 this
government and people by the late extraordinary
Mexican minister, would Justify in the eyes Of all
nations immediate war That remedy, however,
should not be used by just and generous nations
conhding in their strength, If it can be honoraby
avoided, and it has occurred to me- that considering
the present embarrassed condition Of that country,
We ahOnlu both with yuisdann md IN
by giving to Mexico one more opportunity to atone
for the past before we take redress into our own
hands"
But, Notwithstanding all these injuries, we were
patient SO far from being hasty TO take redress,
the only just cause of complaint against our gov
eminent is, that they have been too forbearng For
one-tenth part of such wrongs offered to English
subjects, how quickly would a British force have
Numbered over devoted Vera Cruz, and compelled
atonemenI How recently have we seen France,
for less cause, enforce satisfaction from this same
nation, at the cannon's mouth For how much less
cause were We, few years ago, on the eve Of war
with France For less cause we declared war against
England, in 1912.
But the catalogue Of wrong is not yet completed.
Let II be remembered that the first blood shed on
the Rio Grande American blood. Can IL be
asked that should suffer insult and outrage long
err Is II not enough that we have submitted to spo-
ations Of our commerce, TO the ignominious treat.
ment and Imprisonment Of our seamen, and to in
suits TO our national flag; but must we also tamely
bear the invasion Of territory, and the murder
Of our citizensi
Il would seem there ought to be but one sentiment
in regard to the justice Of this But we regret
to say there those among us who, on this issue,
stand in opposition to the government, and by such
attitude strengthen the hands and encourage the
hopes Of the enemy. This opposition to just war,
into which our country has been forced, is no new
thing. The same party, under another name, did
| H..
war Of 1912. The spirit that animated them then,
survives in their successors of 1886. Their sense
of honor and duty seems different from ours. But
they will have no more now than then.
The patriotism Of the people will scorn such cold
and calculating selfshness The people will say Of
ested aims Of party, they forgot the honor of the
country.