The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-10-05


on the character of the war, and doubts whether
army can find provisions in Mexico, even il il b
authorized to appropriate them to its use.
II is not worth while to argue this matter will
the lntelligeneer, That journal has deliberately
taken lis stand on the side Of our enemies, and il
Judged IN the country accordingly. But we are gla'
TO perceive that the lntehgencer is not sustained IL
It's course by the better spirits, even, of its owl
party. The following extracts from the Lexington
Observer and Reporter Understood TO be Mr. Clay'
especial organ,) and from the New Orleans Bee
show the opinions this subject of those wing press
IS, which determine our rights by the law Of ma
lions, and our duties by the actual experience
and expedieneey Of the circumstances of the easel
From the Lexington Observer aud Reporter.
| We are afraid that Mexico is beginning 10 per,
ceye that the advantage IL all on her side in this
war. Our army makes war upon the people 81
Mexico, but, as Gen, Taylor's proclamation stated
| apOn the perhdious rulers and despOts by whom
| the neople had been trodden down. We pay for
everything we get in the country, and pay most ex.
lraYagandy at that. Hence the war is rather popu-
| ar in Mexico The people prefer the American
army greatly to their own, for the latter seize what
ever they want, and never think Of paying. II was
an old rule m military warfare, "ts forage upon The
thcutys. DuN VIC nave NilthlsNh uAA MAJ NO tiN-
my actually Jor0gs upon US, although we IN un.
disputed possession Of all the region watered by the
Rio Grande. This is game that we can't win al,
and must lose.
From the n. o, Bee
The Bulletin ofyesterday concludes an article in
reference TO the war with Mexico, with the follow
ing Psssage' 49,.
may DO successfully annoyed, their spirit Of resist
anee and endurance broken, and all the results Of a
successful war seeured and this not by cruel OF
unusual hUstIlIues, but without n departure from
ary, the most humane, usages OF civilized warfare.
At present all the nsxims OF reversed; the
yanquished is quartered on the victor the invading
army ms cad of carrying terror, scatters gold and
plenty in its path"
We do not believe there is a country in Chrsten-
dom which would have prosecuted war with az
enemy on the extraordinary and mis- aced prime l..
plies OF philanthropy that have characterized the
contest With Mexico. We do not think that Eng.
and or France two Of the most enlightened powers
in the world, would have drchmt of discovering in
he depths Of military strategy civil policy, that
the surcst and speedlest means Of reducing the foe
was 70 augment his resources enrich his people and
with a lavish hand pour wealth into his Golfers. II
mas been reserved for the United States illustrate
this novel theory IN the precepts Of war--R theory
the more singular and mex plicAble, it's Appes-
On 10 seml-barharous nation would OF ITSELF seem
20 present Obstacles fatal TO success.
ken poIicyi What have gained by occupying
Mexican territory along the line Of the Rio Grande,
aging literally for every article purchased from the
enemy and leaving IN the path OF our nrmy traces
Of a muniicence and bounty to which the misera-
BILE rancheros previously strangers. According
to the most credible sources of informaton-eys
witnesses and impartial observers, the people IN
and about Matamor0s, are exceedingly glad TO eX-
change their fruit vegetables and beef for hard dol.
lars, and particularly, when they paid four-fold
The amount usually obtained for these articles They
are quite willing that the American troops shonld
continue for Indefinite period on the SOIL so long
az they are heavy gamers by this profitable system
of barter Do they like us any better for our ibo-
raityi Not so, since while reaping all its BEN
efts they have been in some instances arrested in
the act of communicating information Of our move
ments to the central government, and in others,
found guilty Of way-laying, and disseminating those
Of the volunteers or regular troops who were incau-
tious enough to venture unarmed beyond the sub
urjs Of Matamoros. They hate the Americans with
vlndictye maignity peculiar to the Mexican race,
but are content to smother their adherence SO long
az they can make snug living out of our troops.
Our generosity has not won their friendship It has
merely taught them the expedency OF concealing
their animoslty ...
The error Of this policy ia not limited by the mere
negative evil of gaining nothing; It's consequences
are positively mschevous. We strengthen the arm
of the foe. We enable him, freed from
tnt
discipline of troops, to offensive posi-
ton, TO purchase arms and ammunition. and to pay
for the enlistment Of soldiers. The vital principle
of successful war is thus defeated. We cannot
reduce the enemy by returning with one hand what
we take away with the other. As necessary re-
sult this improper system leads 10 proracted war.
Thus far, the Mexicans seem TO have adopted max
i'm of non-resistance. They have idea whatever
of making peace, but at the time perfectly
satisfied to let our army 60 ahead, take possession
of Camargo, China, and other towns, pay our way
we'll and freely, and pursue a course in exact OPP
position to that of their chieftaIns who seized
with the strong arm whatever they needed, and
either offered no remuneration or very inadequate
one.
With nation animated by sense of honor, and
fully capable OF approaching the courtesy and mag
nanimity Of an enemy, the conduct observed by our
army would probably have wroughta correspond
ing benefit With Mexico it has produced no sensl-
BILE effect. There is evidence whatever that the
people along the Rio Grande have manifested the
sig hest real attachment the United States, arc
touched at the hgh-minded generosity with which
they have been treated. And, in our opinion, until
change in the policy of our troops takes place,
until we enforce the privilege Of hostile army, and
forage on the foe it will be nearly vain TO expect
any permanent good from our military operations
and equally vain to anticipate the prompt renewal Of
peaceful relations.