The daily union., 1846-10-02
THE PROSECUTION OF THE WAR.

TIE PBOoECUllON OF THE WAX.
There no longer be question, that the refusal
Of the Mexican government to accept our PROPOSE
tons for peace, instead Of relaxing our own meas
ures, will stimulate our government to a more
vigorous prosecution Of the war; We must bring its
pressure home to the people Of Mexico. We must
make them feel the evils Of the war more strongly,
in order that they may appeal to their own govern
ment for peace II cannot be denied nor concealed,
that new energy is to be infused into our operations;
and the strength Of the national arm is to be put
forth more efficiently than ever.
When the army Of occupation became the army
of INVASION and our victorious banners were planted
on the right bank of the Rio Grande, with the view
of coneiliating the people Of Mexico it was pro-
claimed by the commanding general, under nstruc-
tons from his government, that our armies were to
respect their private property and that they were to
take nothing and receive nothing which was not to
be paid for. We were anxious to soften the horrors
of in every respect, and to conduct it upon the
most liberal and rehnel principles. We had even dc.
tsrmined to dispense with the rights which the Laws
Of Nations fully recognised "nslead ofthe pillage of
the country and defenceless places, custom has been
substituted (says VatteI more humane and more
advantageous to the sovereign making war.
mean that of contributions. Whoever carries on a
just war, has right Of making the snsmys country
contribute TO The support Of The army, and towards
defaying all the charges of the war" We waived
these rights in every sense of the term. But what
has been the result II is shown in several ar
tices which have appeared in the New Orleans pa
pers, and in letters from the officers Of the army
We republished one of them, the other day, from
the columns of the National lntelgencer. 1t seems
certain that our forbearance has not been appre-
ciated by the Mexican people, and that not content
with receiving fair value for their productions, they
have demanded exorbitan, prices, whilst their
hostility to us has remained unabated. Officers ask.
how can you expect to make it the interest of such
people to terminate the war; The experience of
the last FIVE months strengthens the argument.
We offered the olive branch. Instead of promptly
accepting it, Mexico declines even to give us an
answer, whether she will or will not negotiate with
us, until her Constituent Congress shall assemble in
December next Three months, therefore, were to
pass away without doing anything for peace, unless
we can assist its restoration by the vgor of our
arms 1t becomes high time, hen for us to hasten the
decision of Mexico. We must carry on the war
with vigor. We must make it more her interest to
terminate its evils. We must compel her people to
share its expenses with usby levying contributions
upon her for the support of our army. We want
provisions, and they must assist in supplying u.s. |
The proclamation of General Ampudia, the con- |
tents of which have just reached US, increases the
necessity of such measure. He breathes the Sc |
yere III
have any dealings with U.S. and will even sell us pro-
visions. We must compel them, therefore, to con-
tribute for the support Of our army.
As soon as the dilatory answer from Mexico was
received by the government there is no doubt that
the policy here indicated was adopted. The pri- |
vate property Of the Mexican people will be reli- |
giously respected, except what may be necessary
for the support of our army. Their persons and
property, with this exception, will be sacredy pro-
tected. Their religion and their altars will be re-
spected as truly as ifthey were Americans in the bo-
som of our own country. With these explanations,
1t Is to be hoped that more such articles will ap-
pear In the whIg papers as the following, which is
published in this mornings National Inteigencer:
From the N correspondent Of the Nat Integencerl
"NEw YoRK, Sept, 80, ls46.
"Ihe Journal of Commerce, in letter from its |
w Washington correspondent on the subject of the
Mexican war, makes the following statement 'Gen
Buffers idea that the Mexicans will be disposed for
peace wiea their domestic aars inpadtd Is no,o the
common opinion; and The government seems 10 hare de-
cided TO act upon H. Now, in my opinion, the
phraseology here used will be misunderstood unless
indeed it means to change the character Of the war
and compel the conquered to support our armies. /
confess do not understand the writer, and have
no wish to msrepresent him. ......
"The inquiry is: How their domestic aliars
10 be invaded by the government Does it mean
the hreside of the non-combatant' Or, does il mean
that Gen. Taylor is to levy upon the necessary sup
plies for his army and refuse to pay for them Or,
under the title of domestic atars' is it intended to
include their churches In short, what does it mean
1t requires some explanation to render il Ineligible
to men Of ordinary capacity and to prevent misrep-
resenation, which, Irepeat, have no desire to see
or to countenance."