The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-06
The Capture OF Matamoras-What Is the
Purpose OF the Government

The Capture OF Matamoras-What Is the
Purpose OF the Government
Now that General Taylor has taken posse ssion
of Matamoras-ior particulars see outside
and the American flag waves over that town,
it begins TO be a very important topic of en-
quiry and discussion, what the plan of the
government is, in regard to future operations
against Mexico The state of our commercial
relations with the whole world, and the position
of our affairs with England, all concur i'll giving
an intensity to this enquiry that will vent itself in
n variety OF ways, until the purpose Of the govern
ment shall be fully developed by future events
At present, the very doubt and uncertainty that
hang over the future operations of the campaign,
creates an absorbing interest in the public mind,
puts stop 10 enterprise, and causes IA degree OF
hesitation in every thing connected with the COM
mercal operations of the country.
In this condition of doubt and uncertain hang
ing over the operations in Mexico, we are driven
to the necessity of referring the only source OF
information with which we are vouchsafed, and
that is the official organ of the government at
Washington. That curious and interesting Jour
nal, (the Daily Union,) since the commencement
OF the war, has assumed many phases, the most
prominent of which is that the war will be con-
IL
viii be prosecuted up to the very walls ofMexico
until every thing required by the administration
shall be conceded, granted, and guaranteed by
the Mexican government. This yronu,,rianen
to open the " halls of the Montezumas," as it has
been fcetiousy called is very well as far il goes
but the difficulty at all times with the organ is, to
understand what it really means. Like the re-
sponses OF the ancient oracles, the words of the
nj ali l,o I,
ciphering it directly contrary to what it says
Its language has since its existence, been as
enigmatic, to the real purposes Of the 60
vsrnment, as the heroglyphics on the obelisk
Of Luxor, or Medine Abu. In 1915, when
the government offered the forty-ninth degree
to the British government, on which to settle
the Oregon question, the organ authoritatively
denied that fact and claimed the whole of the
territory down to 81 40. When Mr.. Slide was
sent to Mexico on a mission of peace, the organ
denied that fact too, and held exactly the oppo-
site, and said that war was at hand. When in
the middle of last winter, the government had
come TO the determination again to look upon the
18th parallel the best basis of negotiation the
organ denied that fact, and took strong ground for
81 40, per tas am nefas. When General Taylor
was ordered to the Rio Grande, and the people
began TO expect collision, the organ denied such
an inference, and proved, with the accuracy of
an Euclid, that no such event as war would
follow.
These are facts showing the peculiar character
OF the government organ; and, Judging from these
facts, and its present course regarding the war
with Mexico, we are very much disposed to be-
heve that when the Washington Union is below
ing for an advance of the army TO the halls Of
the Montezumas," the President and the admins
uaton have almost come to the resolution to ac-
cept proposals OF peace, and settle affairs AMIGA
bly,. The history of the last eighteen months has
shown that we must read the organ contrariwise,
and infer what the action of the government may
be from what the organ denies with affidavit.
We are disposed, therefore, to think that the
administration has disposition to prosecute the
war beyond the taking of Matamoras, and that it
will avail itself of the offer of any government that
Mexico may have TO come 10 terms of peace with
the United States Circumstances, however,
taking place in Mexico, in consequence
OF the recent events on the Rio Grande,
that may prevent such determination or
such plan on the part OF the President. Mr..
Polk is President under the control of accidents
more than any of his predecessors 1t is posi-
BILE that the Northern States of Mexico may in the
presence of aid and assistance from the American
army, now in possession of Matamoras, declare
their entire separation from the central govern
ment, erect confederacy of their own, establish
their independence, and prepare the way in a few
years to join this confederacy as Texas did If
such an event should take place. the Mexican war
will soon be at an end, at least on the frontier-
Then, perhaps, our government may think il pru-
dent when the proper season approaches next
winter, TO strike a blow at Mexico by reducing. if
we can, the fortress of San Juan de Ulloa At
present, however, we rather think that Mr.. Polk,
Judging from the organ and from the general feel
ing brought FORTH and the popularity of General
Taylor, who may become very formidable to
some of the political asprants at Washington, that
the administration has already got enough of this
war The most probable result of prosecuting
such war would be the manufacture gilmore than
one or two fresh candidates for the Presidency
The feeling throughout the country produced by
the events that have already taken place, indi.
that total subversion of the two old parties
is now about TO take place, and that the lines
which have hitherto separated the democracy and
the wings viii be totally effaced by the events on
the Rio Grande. In this state of volcanic transit
ton, it appears very ridiculous to see the Piesi-
dent and General Scott quarrelling with each
other relative to the command Of an army which
IS now fighting bravey under General TAYLOR,
while they are fighting over such silly affairs at
Washington.
On the whole, we think that Mr.. Polk is in favor
OF an early peace; but how long he NAV be So is
impossible to tell.
The TRIAL OF WAR AT AuBUnS.-Tbe Court
was engaged all yesterday in the effort to empan-
mel ajury and have not as yet, succeeded in getting
even single juror The pannel has been exhausted ana
motion was made last evening by the District Aornsy
prisoner who insisted that il sufficiently manss., =.
this stage Of the cause that impartial jury could ro
be had. The Court decided that panel consisng
OF 100 jurors should be summoned and that wa, na
yet sufficiently ascertsncd that an impartial iurv e,is