The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-11
COMMUNICATIONS
For the Union.
MEXICO.


the former upon our citizens as well upon the ma
tom he adycriod 10 the repeated Efforts which had
froal time to time been adopted, TO obtain by amt
cable measures compensation for these reiterated a-
jurieS; lac spoke Of the hostile attitude which Mex
co had recently assumed towards the United States
the "marshalllng and organizing armies, issuing
proclamatons, aud ayowing the intention TO make
war on the United States" Ia view Of these facts,
the President had ordered ga strong squadron 10 the
coasts of Mexico, and AN efficient military force to
concentrate on the western frontier OF Texas" THIS
naval and military force, however, had been direct
ed ''to commit no act Of hostility against Mexico
unless she declared war; or was herself the aggTessor
by striking the first blow"
This language of the President afforded general
satisfaction TO the community. When he resorted
to these steps, which IL now seems were purely pre-
cautonary and defensive in their objects and charae-
ter his conduct had been hereey assailed from va
rious quarters. He had besn charged with having,
of his own mere motion, without the authority Of
Congress, actually commenced hostlites against
foreign power When the true character Of his acts
therefore, was thus made known, opposition was
disarmed, and the measures highly approved.
The President, however, went still further. De-
sirous Of bringing to a conclusion the anomalous
state in which the two countries had been placed by
the term nation on the part OF Mexico Of all dplo-
matte intercourse, and the WarIke demonstrations
and menaees which she had made and uttered, he
had sought 10 bring about renewal Of friendly
intercourse between the two governments, and TO
terminate this state Of things, which subjected both
nations To so many Of the Inconvenience Of actual
war. He had, notwithstanding their hostile move
ments and denunciaIions, endeayoTed in quiet and
inofensIve way, to ascertain the real intentions Of
Mexico, and whether she "was disposed To adjust
and settle in an amieable manner the pending differ
ences between the two nations" Having received
an official inlimatOn that the Mexican government
had consented to renew the diplomatic relations"
which she had herself abruptly closed, and "to sc-
credit minister from the United Statesn in lieu of
the one whom she had rudey dismissed, the Pres-
dent had promptly waived all forms Of etiquette, and
appointed All envoy extraordinary, "clothed with
full powers to just and defntyely settle all pend
ing difference between the two countries"
| In taking these steps the President declsred him
self to have been animated "wlh sincere desire 10
preserve peace and restore relations Of good under
standing between the two republics" The sincer-
~ of this declaration, manifested by such measures,
cannot be questioned. The courSs pursued was
characterized by frankness and magnanimity. De-
spite The offensive language of the government Of
Mexico in all its branches despite It's military move
ments, The design Of which was openly avowed de-
spite the insulting brevadoes necessarily poured out
from all quarters, official and unofficial, MIR. Polk
bad calmly and deliberately spPied himself to sooth
the irritation OF our pugnacious neighbor. He had
done this in the kindest and most friendly manner.
lie had privately sought to obtain her assent before
he would publicly act Everyt thing was conCilia-
tory and respectful in form, as 1t was prudent in
substance.
While this measure was in progress, the Pres.
dent withdrew the squadron from before Vera Cruz,
and ayowed that he would await the result Of this
pacific movement, before he would recommend any
ultcrior measures for the ylndcaton Of our rights.
To this day nothing has been officially promul-
gated by the Executive upon the srbject. The
public papers have, however, been filed with ru-
mors as to the entire failure OF Mr. Sldell's mis-
| xiOu Observation-Disclosures the pfrrtal civ ear
by Mexico that he would be received and accrod-
tied, it is understood that lie has not yet been re-
cognised. Rumor has superadded that he has been
treated with oontumey and indignity The ad-
minlstraton which had invited him, has been over
thrown by the strong arm of military power. The
revolutionary army has denounced the government
for listening TO an amicable offer from the United
States. The prospect OF u negotiation has been the
basis Of the hostile demonstration. The new gov
eminent has inscribed upon its banners "war with
| the United States and the conquest Of Texas"
While such Is the intelligence unoficially re-
ceiyed from Mexico, and before the President has
even opened his lips the subject, some of our
politicians have caught the alarm fever, and antic-
pating what must necessarily be the result il this
information shall be verified, deprecate the harsh
est terms, the consequences which to follow.
Mexico, we are told, is feeble, that to resort TO
hostile measures with her would be cowardly and
dlsgracefu-as If the snarliDg puppy which bites
your heels not to be chastised for his insocnce
While Mexico Is threatening to invade our terri
tory, to exterMiBate us from Texas, TO carry war
and desoation over frontiers, insulting our rep
resentativc, piaging our citizens, withholding the
payment of our acknowledged dues, she Is to be
permitted with mpuDity to pursue her Algerine
propensities, because, forsooh il would be dishon-
orable In US to enforce rights against her. while
she is comparatively weak and helpless. While
she defes our strength, insults our government,
robs and then swindes our people, she is not to
be checked in this Maynard course, because she is
too weak. We hold that nation that is strong
enough to perpetrate crime, and to be guilty Of
such gross iniquity Mexico has done, is never
too weak to be punished for her offences, and to
be chastised into better manners.
But Mexico (such, again, is the language of these
paragraph wrlters Is torn by domestic STRIFE and dis
tracted by internal commoon. Let us give her
new government time to become consolidated. She
has been her own mistress for a quarter Of a CEN
fury. Instead of settling down under well-organ-
lied government, anarchy and revolution have be-
come her regular system. Revolution follows revolu-
ton like the successive waves OF tempestuous
Each turn in her affairs leaves her in worse predca-
ment than the former. Nothing is stable but her
career OF crime; nothing permanent but her lawess
barbaTism Is 1t not time that this state Of things
should be arrested Are we to wait for that golden
age when regular government shall be pcrma-
nently established this wretched country
when outrage shall be prevented or Immediately
Punlshed--when justice shall be purely and regu-
] larry administered
| "VOnen annis
| Sccua scrs'
Who CON anticipate this blessed millenium-this
golden age'
| II the United States were animated by erssping
spirit, and sought to avail herself of the weak and
defencelcss position Of unoffending neighbor to
gratfy our avarice, indulge our ambiiion or to en-
large our power-if, following tie magnanimous ex-
ample OF nations who are held up models for our
admiretlon we were to lombard cities, "a was done
at Beyroot, or murder those who had never injured
us, as has been done the banks the La Plato
1t we were to cram down the throats Of those un-
willing to swallow, at the point of the bayonet,
deleterlous poison, as we have seen in China--if
we were to capture Mexican vessels, confscate the
property ard imprison the crews for national dis
regard OF on obsolete treaty, is done in ref
erence to neutral and friendly nation by the au-
thority of on &C, Of Parliament--wc should merit
I the harshest judgment OF man, and the severest
chastlsement of God. Such atrocities "a these to
which ausion has been made excite our abhor-
renee: We have no sympathy with such crimes,
or with their perpetrators. We ask but for JUSTICE
weighed out in the most scrupulous scales, admins
tered with the most rigid impartiay. For wears