American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-11

The FIRST BLOW STRUCK. by the highly
interesting accounts from our army, which will
be found in another part of to-day's paper, and
which we issued in an extra on Saturday night,
will be seen, that hostilities have been COM
monOed between Mexico and the U. States
that the first blow has resulted in the dea tn or
capture of some sixty American troops We
predicted a few days since, that the two armies
would not long remain in view of each other
without coming to blows, but we did not anti
cpate, that the first movement would prove so
disastrous to the Americans. Whether our
army was stationed opposite Matamoras with
the view to produce hostilites, or for the pro-
lection of our territory, it would now be use
less to enquire. The blow has been struck and
we are now engaged in war with Mexico
hence there is but one course for every Ameri-
can patriot to pursue--to stand by his country,
and to contribute all in his power TO have the
war conducted with a vigor and effect that
shall make the enemy feel our power. The
sword is fairly drawn, and we hope never will
be again sheathed, until Mexico shall have done
us ample justice, or the Star-Spanged Banner
shall float over the walls of her Capitol. Let
the blow be speedy and effectual. Fifty or a
hundred thousand volunteers, if necessary,
should be marched without delay against Mex
100, whilst our fleet should batter their towns
on the seaboard.
General Taylor and his army appear to be
in critical position; but we have no appre-
honson that he will be unable to sustain him
self until the arrival of relief 1t is probable
that thousands of volunteers have already
reached his camp, and the next news will pro-
badly be that of bloody battle. If the Next
can forces be beaten back, revolution will
follow, when we shall probably obtain our
rights without the shedding of more blood; but
have them we would cost what it may.
MEASURES FOR OREGON. The Union ofFri-
day last has long editorial article on Oregon
measures, in which the Senate is rebuked for
its delay in passing the House bill to extend
our laws over Oregon. In every thing connec-
ted with the Oregon question the Union has
exhibited restlessness and impotence. 1t would
have had the "notice" passed without delibera
ton, and in the most offensive form; and now
that it has been modified and sent in such
form as to indicate the desire of our govern
ment to settle the dispute amicably, that paper
is forcing other measures rapidly through Con-
gress, as though it desired TO deprive the opun-
try of the chance of preserving peace. We
have no hesitation in asserting, that if the ad-
vice ofthe Union had been taken i'll relation to
the Oregon controversy, the prospects of peace
would have been much diminished. lis style
and tone towards England has been too autho-
ritative and dctatorial-too much in the bully
ing mode-to be calculated to make a friendly
or favorable impression upon Great Britain.
1t appeared to proceed upon the erroneous
ground that the English government could be
frightened into an acknowledgement Of our
clams-and this was also the tone assumed by
some of the speakers III both houses Of Con
gress; but, happily for both countries, the Sen
ate of the United States could not be drilled
into submission to the dctatIon Of the Union
and adopted wiser and more moderate councils
The notice has been given, but whether in
cordial or cold manner we know not. If tn
preamble and resolutions have been forwarde
to be presented with the notice to the British
government, Gas we understand is the case,
that government will at least be officially pos
sesscd of the fact, that Congress desires to pre-
serve the friendly relations between the tw
countries, whatever may be the feelings of tn
editor ofthe Union or others, on the subject.
The Senate has paused over the House bill
to extend our laws over Oregon, and we thin
very correctly, if it be designed by the bill t
extend jurisdiction over the whole territory
In fact such bill would contradict our profes
sons OF amity and render them contemplate
for they would be DESCRIPTIONS. There can
no necessity to hurry the bill through Congress:
especially as another session of Congress Wi
have been held and closed prior to the expira
ton of the twelve months given in the notice
Why, then, should the Senate act precipitately
The Union appears to be apprehensive, tina
the affections of the Oregon emigrants will
weaned from the United States, and that the
may form government for themselves. The
have already adopted system of government
and, as to their desiring to be disconnecte
from our country because of the delay in tn
Senate to pass the bill mentioned, the idea
too ridiculous TO be entertained. What tn
Union aims at in its endeavor to force Orego
measures hastily through Congress, we knoV
not, unless it has some view to the next Pres
dental election. 1t is apparent, that the inter
ests of the country are not the sole impellin,
motive for its course. 1t may be, that il is dis