Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-14
The Mexican War.

- @sN "hNNt ~ " W AeA WY " AN dfIdntN-
ments for prosecuting tho war.
1.-THE Mexican War.
whilst this war threatened our southwestern frontier.
the oregon dispute bad assumed a serious aspect, and
Great Britain was actively engaged in military prepare.
tions.
"withouts regular army. aud standing in the eyes Of
the civilized world dcleneeless before the impending danger,
II was altogether ~expedien,. If not necessary. to show that
VIC had resource at command, when the peace or the dig
nifty OF the nation was threatened, which no arbitrary Co.
Nernment could boast. A call wss made by the President
npon the patriotism OF our young men. This call was re-
sponded to with cnshusiasm, and the nation bristled with
armed hosts, drawn from the beet blood and bone Of the
land.
"History has recorded no battles more decisive or moro
brilliant than those Of the Rio Grsnde. They terminated
the campaign nj blow, and satisfied an admiring nation and
the world, that the talent. the sptitudc, and the skill, no
less than tho lion heart OF the warrior, were at our COM
mand.
"Our knowledge Of the present resources OF Mexico, and
her inefficient prosecution OF a ten years struggle with
Texas, might be pronounced n demonstration that nothing
more would be attempted by that Government Oh this side
OF the Rio Giande; and in every other quarter we arc per
fecuy safe from the attack Of a ~wretched. weak, and dis
organized people, who are too mercurial In their tempera-
ment to be made the prey o. the instrument OF a military
despoi.
with no disposition 10 complain Of the President or his
advisers, we may be allowed to doubt the espedieney OF
assembling so large a force upon the Rio Grande. Five
thousand men under the veteran Taylor would be altos,th.
er sufficient to protect that point against any force which
the enemy could bring before II, whilst our ships OF war al.
ready in the Gulf and upon the coast Of the Pacific. arc
enough TO command their ports and annihilate their feeble
navy.
"But VIC have an army of $ ,me thirty thousand man nj
ready assembled upon the northeastern borders OF Mexico;
yet there IS no enemy TO oppose them, nor is any expected.
IL IL said that ihess troops arc TO unite and approach the
city OF Mexico. An approach in that quarter is deemed
utterly impracucable by many but. il practicable, in what
manner are We TO be indemniied for the cost, whether by
glory and the spells OF war, or by the discontinue OF tho
enemy :
The people Of the invaded territory arc scattered over.
the face OF a country that is flat and unhealthy, or very
mountainous, and with few exceptions are periodically
%plundeTed even 10 dest,uhon by wsIlkc Indians or by
native freebooters. The advent Of the American army.
that will protect instead OF robbing then. is hailed with
leasure by every Mexican in that region of the Republic.
The march to Mexico then. with no enemy to grace a
triumph, and no city 10 plunder or TO spoil, would prove a
tedious and uninteresung struggle with disease, famine,
and impraeuesb,e roads. Suppose that city To be run over
or conquered, what key have we then Obtained 10 the final
subjHgation OF the twenty -four different Governments which
compose toe Republic OF the United States OF Mcxicor
The enterprise would prove scarcely less bootless than the
Brush sdmiraPs ~eonquesio OF Washington, and might COW
eT with no less glory the arms OF the great nation under
whose auspices 1t should be achieved.
This, however, is the most hattering view Of the sub
Iect Our troops are principally assembled on the Rio
Grande. That region is the home OF the yellow fever, and
men from os northern climate, huddled together in the
mud, without tents or suitable provision, can scarcely hope
10 escape tins unspairlng seourge. Little hope need be
INDUCED That many OF these devoted men will reach 4
mountainous district IN time TO avoid the disease. But
after running the guantlct OF the chapparral, with its boat
NOOK thorns, the water, and the mud, and the pOmitO,
should u handful only Of the enemy hang upon the skirts
OF the army, harrass them in the front, rear, or flank, cut
OIL their supplies and embauass their progress, what could
be hoped for besides 4 speady aud disastrous termination
Of the enierpnse7
"rhere can be neither profit nor glory to us, nor ,eriou.
loss and discontinue to the enemy, under the best aspect
OF the affair. We must suffer a great loss in valuable
lives, IN money, and in national reputation.
"Ihe enemy is benefited by the progress Of our army
ihe Mexican agrcultdristi Is furnished at his own door with
a good market at our expense. lie sells the produce ofhis
farm at a high price, and suffers no loss, whilst our own far
mers are taxed TO furnish the money which paws him. Ii
would be more profitable, safe, and rebound as much To ma
nonal glory, were the American army marched through the
interior OF Pennsylvania or Maryland giving our farmers the
opportunity Of supplying them, at their own doors, from the
produce OF their farms tor 4 few months. and then march
ed back TO head quarters and disbanded. Is there any
thing ridiculous or pfeposterous in this suggestion Sure
y taere appears 10 be but do not undeniable facts, and n
common sense view Of hem, fully justify i'll
'Since NOIh descended from ms ark, no conquest of a
pastoral or nomadic people has ever quit the cost. The alb
surtiiy OF taking 10 our bosoms an ignorant and lawless
race, hal white, half red, with n dash OF still more sombre
shades-sl good, indeed II you please, very good OF their
kind-cau ouly be exceeded by its utter and hopelos Inn.
praeueHbiliiy. Thsis all prejudice, unphilosophic and un-
PhilanthroPic prejudice yes, but insurmonntable, never.
iheless.
THE Mexican trade is worth something TO us. although
its value has been most exIayaganly overated. Let us |
secure this trade, If it may be done; but let us not be EN-.
blrrassed with the thankless and impossible task OF aueno,- |
ing to conquer, govern, and, in the words of Swift, re-
duce from their baTbarous way Of living a race of people
that may, indeed. boast many virtues, but who are foo re-
itae'oTy' too Wild too ignorant and unfehecung to govern
themselves.
would appear more practicable by way Of Vera Cruz.
But II profit, honor. or national glory, OF even discom.
htuTe 10 ie enemy be the object, our army might as well
be marched TO Harrisburg or Albany. There Is no plum
der at Vera Cruz, and the churches would be despoiled
before an army could reach the city Of Mexico. Or mr..
mics pay Tor oil they consume, asd carry a good market
to the door Of every farm house. The regions they ira
verse will be enriched by their progress. The possession
Of the city Of Mexico Is by no means essential to he cen.
tal Government. and, 50 Tar as ITS occupation by an enc.
my might e~Xlsperate the nation, IL would tend TO confirm
and strengthen the bond Of union which now hangs so
loosely over is refractory members.
"What, then, can we gain by invasion of Mexico. il
successfully 2 Positively nothing.
what should we lOso7 Men, money, and national
character.
"Whon war is upon US, and the danger imminent, let
every citizen acouIesce in silence. This is not our pre-
sent misfortune, and the people may be permitted to OK
press an opinion.
PAY the volunteers, and send them Immediately and
safely to their respective homes. Let the brave Taylor eA-
tablsh his headquarters where his own best judgment aud
experience may dictate, with such force from the regular
army as he may require, and leave our gallant navy to do the
rest.
Millions that must be raised eventually. from the labor
OF the people would thus be saved and six months could
scarcely elaPso before amicable relations would be restored
between the two great Republics Of North America"