American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-01
.Nmcritou Republican,
AND
BALTEMORE CLIPPER,
TUESDAY MORNING, Dec. /, ls4e


CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. The fact that the
Secretary of War wrote to gentlemen in differ
ent States, on the 18th November, that no
more volunteers would be required, and yet on
che 10Th of the same month called for nine ad
dliOnal regiments, has attracted much atten-
ton and called forth considerable comment
by some the apparent inconsistency has been
attributed to improper motives; but it would be
moro charitable construction to suppose that
circumstances occurred 10 the interval, be-
tween the / th and 18th, which required the
call for more troops, or that the plan OF the
campaign had beon changed, imposing the
same necossity. The act was an exceedingly
proper one, and we are not disposed to seek
for improper motives We had urged an in
crease of force fiom the moment it was stated
that General Taylor had been ordered TO an
nul the arnIistice and it must have appeared
,pIan to every one that reinfo ceMents would
be indispensable if our army were required to
march further into the enemys country than
Monterey. Tho administration should be sup
ported in all measures calculated to preserve
The honor of the country, even by its political
opponents. We heartily approve tho call for
additional volunteers, and are glad that the
position assumed in the letter ofthe Secretary
of War of tho 18th of November, was re-
nounced, whatever may have been the motive.
CAPTURE OF TAMPiCo. The withdrawal Of
the Mexican garrison from Tampco, by
which it has fallen into our hands without
blow, is supposed to have been stroke poll
oy on the part of Santa Anna, to divide and
weaken the American forces. Had we no 9TH
or resources than the army now in the field, it
would certainly be sound policy on the part Of
tho Mexican general, to got our troops scatter
cd in differont directions to protect captured
places; but he will find, that with Tam2ico in
our possession, wo have advantages of immense
importance; for we can transport any number
Of troops to that place with great facility, and
thus be prepared TO bring him to general and
decisive battle at San Luis Potosi at our plea
sure. All accounts indicate that he is deter
mined to make stand at st. Luis; and it is
asserted that no has already mustered force at
that place, numbering from twenty to thirty
thousand men, But we doubt whether he will
hazard general engagement. We consider it
more probable that he will fall back upon Mex
leo as our army approaches him, provided wo
have a force any thing like equal to that I'M
der his command. 1t has been judiciousy re-
solved 70 Gortify and garrison Tampco, with
force adequate to its protecton-and here all
our forces should concentrate. Indeed, at this
point the war should have commenced, instead
Of on the RIO Grande, if our object was TO OBJ
aain speedy justce--for here supplies could
have been furnished without difficulty, and at
a trihing cost; and our army would have been
within striking distance of the capital of Mex
leo.
However inveterate may be the hostility of
the people Of Mexico against the United
States, it is apparent that they arc too much
split up into factions TO be able to conduct the
war efficiently. Revolutions in that coun-
try arc so common that there is no GER
Lalnly tndt Inc pEesoHI coHulloh oi al
fairs will continue another month, we
therefore do not think it probable that Santa
Anna will risk decisive battle whilst the in
ternaI affairs of his country remain in their
present unsettled state. Wo trust that he will
prefer exerting his influence with the Mexican
Congress, which will assemble on Monday
next, to procure the settlement of peace
which shall DO honorable to both nations.