Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-11-27
From he Baltimore american.
THE WAR IN MEXICO.


ues TO increase with every DAYS suspense. il
now stated in letters from Washington, with such
authority as may belong to statements of this
kind, that more troops are to be called for that
Gen. Taylor is 10 halt at Satillo and there ioui-
iy himself; that nothing more is TO be done at
present 10 the way of prosecuting the war except
TO hold on TO positions already acquired; ihatthe
final determination Of Mexico for peace or war is
TO be thus awaited, unless Congress when it meets
shall take the responsibility Of new movements.
OF course there is to be no attack on Vera Cruz,
no expedition to Tampico, no junction of forces
under Gen. Taylor, no concentrated movement
on the city Of Mexico.
II was but recently that intimaions very diff
ferent from these came fast and frequent from the
seat Of Government. The official paper was full
Of a vigorous prosecution Of the war; nothing
else was TO be thought Of Orders direct and pc
remptory were sent TO Gen. Taylor TO terminate
the Monterey armsilce and TO advance promptly
and at once. There were not waning some in
situations Of dissatisfaction against Gen. Taylor;
his circumspoct proceedings did not keep up with
the impatient ardor Of the Administration. A
grand system of operations was TO be carried out
by which Mexico, approached on all sides, should
be made TO sugger under the terrible blows of
our arms, acknowledge herself subdued and sue
for peace--to the great enhancement Of Mr..
Folks military glory, with some incidental illu.
minalion for the Secretary Of War.
! We told now that all this system Of vigor-
Gus operations is to be abandoned. The Mexican
Congress will meet in December, and perhaps
that body will be disposed 10 enter into negota-
lions. Under this contingency we are to wait
with sngacily and craftsmanship of the same
stamp as that which allowed Santa Anna 10 return
10 Mexico, and which proposed TO hand over 10
him two millions Of dollars IA an advanced install
ment for peace, while war was actually raging
! We are now 10 deal tenderly with Mexico, for
fear Of irritating her. She will doubtless be
grateful for our ilorbcarance--as a man whose
nose has been pulled may be expected TO feel
thankful that he is snotknocked down. OF course
she will take the first opportunity on the assem-
bling Of her Congress 10 express her high opprc-
cuton Of our peaceful character and wishes, and
hasten TO conclude a treaty that will concedo TO
us every thing we desire.
Tho absurdty of such reasoning as this gives
no assurance that it has not been adopted by the
Administration. MIR. Polk is IN the condition
not unusual 10 an irresouto man, yet very en-
barra5sing, Of not knowing what TO do. In such
cases The worst course is generally taken; or by
shrinking from the crisis and doing nothing, in or.
der that responsibility may be shifted il posi-
Bile, upon other shoulders, the fault of irresolu-
tion is merged in tho weakness of imbocility and
condemnation is lost in compassion.
We have never believed otherwise than that
this war with Mexico, when we made ii q war OF
invasion, must be fought through. How can il
be expected that nation like Mexico, proud
puncliIious and obstinate, will be disposed to nc
gotiatc with an enemy's army on her soill The
war began because weannexed Texas which Mex
leo still claimed, II she would 60 10 war for that
remote province, 10 which even in her own esti-
nation her title must have seemed weakened by
tho events Of The previous nine years, will she be
disposed 10 make peace when our troops are oc-
cupying territory to which her title has never
been disputedl Will people who 60 10 war in
behalf Of an extreme member, ready TO drop off
of itself, the amputation Of which would bo use
rul to the body polilic.-will they cease 10 fight
when the vital paris arc attackedl Not until
they are fully subdued.
The Mexican5, moreover, are sagacious enough
TO perceive that the real difficulties Of the war are
now coming upon us. We have advices Of u re-
liable character, that Santa Anna has drawn his
organized forces away from Gen. TayIor's route,
with orders TO leave no supplies Of provisions or
reservoirs Of water along the dry and desert parts
of the country through which our army must
march towards San Luis Potos. Parties Of que.
ras would doubtless be scattered along the noun.
tain passes and defes to annoy our men and 10
cut oil loragng parties. Is sitto be expected then
that Mexico will come 10 terms of pacilicatior
when she secs that the disadvantages Of the con
test must now belong to the invading parlyl
The following extract is quoted by the Monte
rey correspondent Of The New Orleans PicNyunt
as containing the views of an officer of rank an(
experience in the army Of invasion and will
This we conclude for the present:
: "There never was nation so much mistaken
: as ours in regard TO that Of Mexico. mean il
=, respect 10 its military resources. The people ar
, warlike, and have an abundant supply Of muni
lions Of war. Our battles with them improv
them as soldiers. Our invasion is held by then
' in abhorrcnce, and has united all classes in deier
= mined resistance against Us. The battles of Pal
Alto, Resaca dc la Palma, and of Monterey wer
battles with their frontier army. From thj
:. place onward, il we have to march on further i
:, this direction, we shall meet with their home army
n made up Of hardy mountaineeTs and better ella:
Dr Of soldery. So far consider we have not injl
,. red their nation, but done 1t service, by deea
M ing their old officers thus causing their army
a. be placed under the direction Of younger, MOI
IN ambitious, braver, and more accomplished, Gel
"a erals. In fact, so far from the war being endet
!, ii has just commenced. Our position is critca
= Our supplies al Camargo, 100 miles distant, mu
- DO wagoned TO this place. This long line has n
-. protection. The ranchero troops, numberu
oi near, $500, are behind US as guerllas, and,
" they choose TO act, our trains must be cut off,
US Although this is rich valley, its supplies are il
"a adequate 10 our wants, except in beef, for ar
IL length Of time. Our army, or the effective pa
Of il, is TOO diminuive 10 meet a strong force.
N. Il is wenk nhv sicay for il has now been r cal