Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-01-14
The Mexican WAR.

The Mexican War.
The following speculatons made by the intelli-
gent Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia
Ledger:
As to the itself, il is still believed by some, and
must confess am Of the number, that it viii soon
draw to close Others there are, however, and
among them, if mistake not, even some very Promi-
nent members of the Cabinet, who apprehend pro-
longaton of difficulties. Under these circumstances
it becomes the administration to prosecute the war
with vigor; and this, accordingly, it resolved to
do.
AS to he news telegraphed day or two ago, from
the Southern papers, that the whole army expects 10
join Gen. Scott at TamPico, do not believe word OF
II. think it much likely that Gems. Scott and
Taylor have given each other RENDEZVOUS at San
Louis Potosi. The Rio Grande must necessarily re-
the basis of the operations of our army, and the
means of securing the success OF whatever expedition
may be ordered, either down the coast or on the road
to the capital. The northern slope of the Sierra
Madre must eventually be ours, and the mountains
not the rirer form the future frontier of the two
countries. Rivers means of communication, not
Of Separating nations Mountains perform the latter
Office much better, and may be easily fortified. To
give up positions the Rio Grande. or even TO
expose them, would be surrendcring all the advantage
thus far obtained by the force of arms.
The taking of the capital, which so much stress
is laid by the press, is guarantee whatever of a
speedy peace The Spaniards held the capital
long, and marched uninteuupedly from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, without subduing the country; smyly
because they had basis of operation unassailable
by the Mexicans. from which they might at any time
throw to any point threatened by the enemy.
The basis Of operation conquered by our troops on
the Rio Grande, constitutes the difference between our
invasion of Mexico and that Of the Spanards and it
is not likely that will jeopardlze so important an
advantage.
Some there are who anticipate guerilla warfare
on the part of the Mexicans; but doubt much wheth-
er any such can be organized With all the inces-
SAINT revolutions of Mexico, the spirit OF centralza-
ton has made greater progress In that country than
in Spain, composed originally of many different king
doms, accustomed to many different governments, and
preserving their national peculiarltles. The wealth
and influence of Ca6iz, Barcelona, Seville, &c, date
further back than the kingdom of Spain, for those
cities IN part capitals of powerful Kingdoms, at
the time that Madrid was a barren heath. Madrid
the capital of Spain in the sense that Paris
is the capital Of France London that of CONNER
cal England. 1t merely the residence of the
Royal family and the Court for it possesses, like
own glorious city of Washington, very few elements
of wealth and power The manners of the capital
not initiated in the different provinces of Spain,
and the provinces are jealous of maintaining their
own-eyen regards the mode of dress.
All this is different In Mexico, which was settled
and improved by central power, emnating from the
capital and have SEEM accordingly, that revolu-
ton in the city of Mexico has always decided the fate
of the whole country, while all partial enterprises In
the provinces, unless impulse was quickly commune
Gated to the capital have utterly failed. guerrilla
warfare, therefore, need not be anticipated by our
troops except perhaps, in the immediate neigbbor-
hood of the city of Mexico. The distant provinces
not organized for the purpose. But what after al
is guerrilla warfare but political Reorganization
of the country IA system of defence, depending up
variety of strong points, in the form of provin
cial juntas, without central organization The de-
composition of the national defence of country int
guerrilla warfare, amounts in fact, to its DIsMEM
BERMEST, and this would be the case with Mexico
were she TO attempt anything of the kind. All tn,
guerrilas of Spain would not have driven the French
out of the country had the central movement not beer
directed and fought by the Englishmen under the Duk
of Wellington.
Should we take Vera Cruz and march upon Mexico
and the Country should still hold out, then we
need ouly put the capital and all the populous town
we travel through under heavy contribution and fal
back OH our base line of military operations ON TN
Rio Grande, forty II, and invite Mexico, if she be no
satisfied with this mode of making ourselves paid 70
the expense of the war, to come and take them.
this way the must finally to close unles
Mexico by fresh provocatlon induces our border POP
ulation (not regular troops) to proceed further
venture.
All this may not suit the ideas of professors an
lawyers, but international law is not canon of tn
Z understanding, but based upon history, grow
through ages by historical decisions, and rejecting tn
historical progress of the world. The principle run
through all the laws Of nature, that thing ceases
exist when it is no longer capable, by its fore,
to satisfy the law Of Its existence and the same az
e plies to nations. We do not mean to make of Mexic
another oriental question, and suffer an empire liz
Turkey to be propped up on our frontiers by foreig
powers because it suits their ideas of equilibrium
We have not suffered Texas-the American Egypt
when reclaimed by civilization, through Houston OF
American Dehemet Ali Bashaw, 10 relapse again I'M
barbars, like SYRIA TO suit the policy of Europea
n powers, and we must not allow q semi-barbarian IA
tion to trouble borders and invoke continU
ally the aid Of Europe. We arc the heirs of Mexic
e as Russia is that of Turkey.
One of the greatest thinkers that ever lived, Gan
i he lived in Republic -Spinoza-after searchn
n history in every direction and running all til
" works on jurisprudence, published in his time, can
10 but one concusion'--s Ubi riS, iJi juS," (whel
there is power there is right) Only the mode of e;
ercisig of that right is dictated by civilization. The
is other law governing the nations Of Europe
there never has been any other
Our conduct towards Mexico is dictated by mora
and political considerations and the policy TO recor
Gle her population Especially the conquered one)
our laws and institutions. And this is as much
means of sel-defence as one of aggression against
semi-barbarian foe. If Napoleon had succeeded i
civilizing Russia, it would have avaed him NOR
than FIVE hundred thousand troops; for the fac
: would have created for him advanced post in S
4 Petersburg.
The President and Santa Anna.
Wing orators and editors have had good deal