Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-05-21

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daring Of the soldiers during the combat can on
" compare with their endurance while crossing
The desert, with their resignation under the want
Of food and raimant, and with their patience
when suffering by the wounds Of ball and knife
inflicted by the Americans, without any medical
attendance. If ii be true, as has been asserted
by Napoleon, that the first quality Of soldiers
is 10 support fatigue and Priyatons, and that
yalor is only the second quality, then the Mexi-
cen army has proved in the memorable expedi-
iion of the month Of February that il is not def
cient in either.
Although for the reasons which gave in my
official despatch, could not pursue tho enemy,
] had concentrated my forces in such places as
offered some prospect Of subssling the troops, in
the hope that the moment would shortly arrive
when we could eonsummaIe our triumph. Such
were my intentions, which could have carried
into effect had il not been for the news which II
received Of two importan; events. First, the
danger with which Vera Cruz was Ihreaiened
and, secondly, the revolution which had broken
out in the capital, & which obliged me 10 change
my plans. The first showed me necessity Of
sending assistance to Vera Cruz, one ofrhe keys
of the Republic, as its garrison having nothing
TO sustain it but their heroism, could not hold out
any length Of time: the second, informing me Of
a pronunciamento by which, to the scandal Of all
the world, Mexicans were going TO destroy each
other, when the foreign enemy was threatening
their independence from all sides, forced me to
fly TO the rescue TO re-esiablish public order and
tranquility. To meet these two evils, Of equal
importance, it became necessary to return with
the army to San Luis, whence ordered a respec-
table division to proceed 10 Vera Cruz, while |
proceeded in person TO put a stop 10 civil war
Men being hritated, the passions being exciting
and warm from the shedding of blood, there were
few means 10 choose in consoling peace-there
was but one. for me to take charge Of the SUI.
Ipremo power, occupying that seat TO which the
confidence Of the representatives Of the people
might call me, and 10 which respectable majori.
~ of the Congress did since appoint me. To
have vacillated under such circumstances would
have been a crime. On this account yielded
to necessity and assuming the reins of Govern
ment, | succeeded, by this costly sacrifice, to
put a stop TO the lratrcal contest which was d.
viding us.
But, consistent with my principles, the suomis-
sion which made in taking charge of the first
station Of the Republic ceases as soon as the ex-
gency which called it forth has passed. Order
being re.cstabshed, internal peace having been
conquered, my filling the eminent station of Pre-
sident would be violation Of the most solemn
and sincere promises ever made. In the face
oflhe nation and Of the whole world have sta
tedthat am determined 10 fight the usurpers OF
our soil as long as there is Il print Of their foot
| left on our sacred soil. Ny sentiments, in con-
lormity in every respect with my pledges, sepa-
rate me from the Government, and call me to
the army, and in obedience TO both have deter
mined 10 march this week TO Vera Cruz TO take
charge Of the military operations, under the be.
lief that the decree Of The Government giving me
the command Of the army is still in force, but il
itshoud have expired suppcate most sincere
y that it may be renewed.
The State of Vera Cruz, Of which know eve,
ry inch, and which love with intense lervor, as
it is the place Of my nativity, is invaded by the
forces Of the foreigner; its suIerngs cannot bt
! Indifferent TO me, because as q Mexican fec
the misforIunes Of every State, and doubIy %
that State where first saw The light. The Su
preme Congress must be convinced that by every
title it is necessary that should march, IN orde
that tho Republic may see me redeem my pledg
es, and thar the army, whose faithful and insep
arabic companion am in all its privations ant
dangers, and finally my country may receive I
new proof that am always willing to sacrifice
myself in their service.
Before concluding, think it my duty to state
clearly and openly my opinion respecting Tho
war which we are uainIaining. To no man Is
it given 10 i(l the veil ofIuurlty, and no one cal
say what will be the result of the events which
will pass under our eyes, but favorable or fatal
they must not influence our opinion, which mus
, be based on other considerations. If Divine
f Providence should have in store for us NOR
mias-if again our fields should be devastated
; our cities bombarded, our villages destroyed, ou
brave soldiers should die on the field Of battle
r and even fortune should be propitious, the Gala
mites inseparable from war would be terrible
, particularly when conducted with the barbaril,
and vandalism displayed by the Americans, with
out any mitigation of civilization, and TO the dis
grace Of their arms; but fatal rs all these evil
/, might be, far more pernicous beyond compari
son would be peace forced upon us at this mo
ment. Peace, yes, peace is what the nalloI
wants, but peace that must be won by our val
or, and constancy, brought by victories obtalne
I, by people that dotests oppression. peace @
this kind will save us, and make us respected b.
the powers that observe US, and give us the plac
duo TO tho Mexican nation. It cannot obai
such peace it is better to bury ourselves unde
the ruins of our cities, and better to dlo than iv
, without honor,
As to myself, am determined to breast tn
: dangers of the campaign, confident that my con
duct will gain the appreciation of my fellow ci
' tizens. If am crowned by victory, aud sue
, coed in driving the enemy from our soil, | sha
retire TO private life, satisfied that shall hav
7 rendered my country some service; or if the lea
. or steel should cut tho thread of my life, sha
= die con,entcd, as shall leave to my country a
y honorable memory, and to my children q nam
i at which they need never blush.
y y Present, &c.
I" ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANN
To Lhe Hon. Secrcknrn Lhe Constituent 10,