The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-04

not be referred to arbitration. Now, how is it to
be settled if governments disagree? If owing to
the infrmity of human nature, two governments
don't see their rights, hsw is it to be settled with
out the shedding Of innocent and CHI istan blood1
Doesit not look like supporting the right of the
strongest Let US suppose Question OF
territory to arise between Russia and Swe.
den. Russia says that her right is clear
and unquestionable; Sweden says she has rights,
too, and says she is willing to refer it to arbitra.
ton Russia says the question should not be re-
ferred at all. What then remains to the minor
power but hopeless war, or abject submission
And does not this doctrine 60 for establishing the
power OF the strong against the weak, and to take
public questions between nations from public
opinion and the judgment of the world to the
decision of the longest sword? do not think that
inl Sc; SorrssPondsnGe has Is'ed the United States
TO say for myself that do not hold to the princi
pie, and while go back to the dgnified councils
OF Washington, and follow them down, come to
the conclusion that if dispute arises among ma
tons, which cannot otherwise be settled, the
peace of the world, the cause OF civilization, the
doctrine Of humanity, the love of religion-all
qure that they should be referred TO impartial and
intelligent umpires.
The remaining topic, gentlemen, is the war
with Mexico. Well, that war you may. perhaps,
say, is the deed of Congress, and is a Of right
But may not the Mexlcans be right tooa wish,
for Que, to speak my opinion on the war; and yet
one. Yet, nevertheless, there are some things
nected with it which must review. Allow me to
go back and bring up short history OF the whole
case. Texas achieved her independence many
years ago, unexpectedly, by the bravery and good
fortune OF single battle. Texas threw off the
dominion of Mexico, and for many years main
tanned government OF her own. That govern
ment was acknowledged by this country and Eu
new nation admitted into the circle OF modern
nations Mexico, nevertheless, did not acknow-
ledge the Independence OF Texas, while, at the
same time, she made no effort to regain her
territory. In this condition things remained for
years. This reminds me of a state Of things which
existed in Washington not long ago, growing out
of the revolutions that took place within thirty or
forty years. There was a representative from
Texas then, but Texas was not acknowledged by
Mexico. There was representative of Mexico,
but the independence of Mexico was not acknow-
lodged by old Spain and there was a minister
from old Spain, but old Spain was not acknow-
lar minister from Russia. My objections against
the annexation OF Texas were, first, that it
was not free exercise Of constitutional
power. Others thought 90. The majority Of the
councils of the country overruled the objections
The second is, that we had territory enough, and
that there was some danger Of extending it,
Third, that it was insurmountabe III my judg-
meni. that the annexation of Texas was 70 bring
it would become the subject of a slave population.
That objection was insurmountable in my MIND,
and would DO IN all other like cases Let me add,
and fourth, because it was certain, and so it was
urged on Congress again and again, that the
annexation OF Texas would lead US to a war
with Mexico. These were the four grand
principles on which the annexation Of Texas
was opposed by those who did oppose it. Now,
gentlemen, there is not man in the country who
tanks less OF the Mexican Government than
do. They are an unhappy and unfortunate peo-
pie, and have nothing that deserves to be called
Government. When she broke off from old
Spain, and appeared disposed to follow the ex-
ample of the United States, and revered the
name of Washington, we expected and sighed
Tor republican government and trial by jury
We all wished her veil, but, unfortunately, the
result has been that she has no true representa-.
the influences of representative principles. All
her Presi dents have been men created by the
pronurciamentos OF the military. fortunate GO.
neral to-day dcposes bis unfortunate predecessor
Of yesterday. One military man to-day seizes
the Government, and expends its revenues in
another seizure. Quicqwid delivant reyes, pectm-
twr Ac.trs. But the anNexatton t0as completed
dispute must arise about IT, There was between Texas
ald .exico, no sscertained western boundary. This
whom the President Of the Uoised States his
military movements In that direction. Now gentlemen,
that may misrepresen nobody and say nothing that IL
not clearly proved BY Official evidence will proceed to
opinion. are established by the correspondence Of the
oci.iy to Congress Tho first Of these proportions i.
this think that the President took Of terri
tory by force Of arm. to which the United States
had no asceitained due-territorY which, claim.
ed by the United States, also claimed by
Mexico and was in her occupation in July, ls45.
and ON the 10Th be wss made TO enter Texas and con-
centrate his forces the west bank Of the Rio Grande
which wcuid b: our western boundary Cen Tsysr is
"Ths Rio 0rande IL claimed to be the boundary be.
are to extend your proscon only excepting any posts
the eastern side thereof which In the actual
Of Mensn .. Ms d over
ton 1.-THE period Of annexation, or shortly before that
It appears then that Texas had only made claim to It,
Secondly, a. early a. July, ls45 the President knew
that the territory In the actual possession of Mexico
and hat TsT1: had not exercised Jurisdiction over It,
Taylor that This Department Is informed that Mexico
has some military establishments the east aide Of the
the actual occupancy OF her troops"
Third. it was apparent that the intention Of Co.
srmsthey intended 70 exnguish the Mexican title by
force Of arms-othsrwss their acts IRE wholly inexp
cable.
now read letter from Mr. Buchanan to Mr. slidell,
June2o ls%6 In the mean time, and in anticipation
Of Mexico refusing to receive you the administration has
the Rio Grande, &C Now, BY ordering the troops Of
the United States to the left bank Of the Rio 0rsnde he
had taken possession of all he claimed forming Of
=
that he proposed to with vgor when Congress gave
him the PowsrP Did he mean general war against
Nexicei Did ne mean to place himself on the extreme
verge Of what he called our right and then wage
Of acquisition soon a. Congress gave him the author
7 fthat his idsa he hsd better wait until he had
got the authority But why take this step without the
previous authority Of Congressi Congress in
sion at the time The letter il written In January, and
the letter to General Taylor written on the 18th,
whom Congress in session The question arises why
should the Executive government, in iu dscreson
and in s authority take step directly tending 70
Wh0u COu8r0ao WaAhiU6tOn
That il lei 10 be considered hereafter and how will
il be answsred1 We ahsl see. Mr. slidsn answers Mr.
Buchanan by letter Of February 18TH saying that he
defend Texas to the left bank of the Rio 0rands and
strengthen himself in the hope that these would
exercise salutary influence the government Now,
allow say, that before and at the time when these
troops ordered to march and take position the
loft Denk q the Rio 0rsnde there were no spPre-
any hostility committed by Mexso at all. Tais 10
evident Il en- the letters Of General Taylor down TO the
time when those Instructions were gwen Now, Gen.
Taylor writes the 18th August that he has infor
nation Of the Mexicans concentrating large forces with
q Of invaaOu q N 9Th he