Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-08-05
90 ARGUMENTS FOR THE
WAR,

the first Is, that this labored effort 10 hunt up OK
cuses for the war betrays consciousness that
the government and the Locofoco party are TO be
held TO an awful responsibility; aud the second
| is, that the reasons themselves demonstrate the
weakness and the wckedness OF their cause, and
cannot fail to open the eyes OF thinking men'-
What are they Mere aiter-thoughts, strung to-
gether by the New Hampshire Patriot, for effect
upon the late election in that state-the result
heinz n tremendous rebuke of the war and lis
authors Ailer-thoughts, we say: for who does
not know that this war was begun without a dec
laration Of any sort without notice to Mexico,
or oui own Congress; without setting forth grew
ances, and Of course without demanding redress
in fact, begun by private orders to Gen. Taylor
to advance to the Rio Grande, where one OF his
squadrons accidentally run into nest Of Next
can troops and had fight and retreat, follow
ed by the surrounding of the U. S. troops at Fort
Brown, by the Mexicans? 1nea the pretence
was that American blood had been shed upon
American soil-albeit this soil had been found
to be in the actual possession of Mexico, and
Gen. Taylor had been warned that if he march
ed upon it, the act would be considered as de-
claraton OF war. Then when the little band
under Taylor was surrounded by ten times their
number, Congress was implored to send instant
succor; and succor was sent, and transformed by
Executive power into all army Of invasion. Who
has forgotten that the cry was, that our title
extended to the Rio Grandc -and the object Of
the war was to defend that title-but ere the
echoes Of that cry had died away, the President
had invaded the acknowledged soil of Mexi
CO, and annexed territory after territory to the
United States by the proclamations Of Colonies
and Commodores The next pretence, fresh in
the memory Of all, was, that this war was pressed
upon the heart of Mexico "to corqucr peace J"
and the last semi official announcement is, that
if Mexico will consent TO trePt, our government
will pocket all the insults and pay all the claims
due to American citizens Oh, how nicely do
these 90 arguments look, in the face Of the con
duct of the government. Just read them over
ponder upon these outrages of Mexican bandtti
and Mexican officials -semi-barbarlns, all of
them Just think of the robberes they have per-
perated, and Of American claims so long unsat-
lsiod; let not one escape your notice and just
measure of ndignation but then remember,
that all these were not reasons for the war-and
that our oun government is ready to forgive all
these outrages and itself pay all these claims
For three weeks the Locos have been sweltering
over the Patriot; and we trust that by this time
their Indignation Is up to fever heat - that they
| c.,
ty nine outragcs of the wretched MeXicans for
so will they begin to appreciate the character
and purposes Of their oirn government, which
now proposes to forego all demands for restitu-
ton, and TO pay all claims out Of our own treas
ury. Tell them that, Mr.. Patriot: away with all
subterfuee and barney, and tell your readers
plainly that James K Polk will willingly pocket
the insults to the American flag, and himself pay
pay for the cash, cargocs, and tobacco seized by
Mexcans pay it out of Uncle Sans pocket -
Then they will understand that the war was mol
undertaken for these ninety nine reasons of yours.
But Mr.. Polk has condition: he will give up
everything, if Mexico will yield lille land. -
Land, land, land-for Shareholders and slavehol-
ding Senators and Members of Congress: there
is the cause and intended effect of this war; and
earnest TO stop the war than James *. Polk. -
But when shall it be ended? and how? These
are the main questions the only ones worth talk
ing about. We are in fast enough-little mat
ter why, for the present; when and how shall we
get out? Will the Patriot tell its readers that
We copy the following synopsis Of an article
from the pen of the senior editor of the N. Y
Journal of Commerce. He is Locofocosh in his
policy, and has hitherto encouraged this war: but
sick enough of blood, he is ready for strong
measures for peace Read:
LIST. That General Scott should be imme.
dlately authorized to proc lam peace uncon
r ditonllly 10 the whole Mexican nation, in thei
own language, and send it by swift heralds thro
all their States or provinces, assuring them thai
not another aggressive step or movement shall
! be made on Mexican soil by United States troops
, that not another Mexican shall he slain or in
tertered with in any way by any OF our troops
except purely in self-delence.
I'd. That all of the United States forces, nov
on Mexican soil or in Mexican waters, shall witt
the least possible delay consistent with thel
health and safety, be drawn beyond all disputet
bounds, save Texas lproper)
3D.. That so far from claiming any portion o
their dominions lproper) by right OF conquest, o
as Indemnity for the costs of the war, we ireel
forgive them all those millions they owed GU
citizens, which their refusing or neglecting to pa
a was in part the cause Of the war-being abun
o dainty able 10 remunerate our citizens ourselves
u 4th. That we not only yield up freely all thei
II towns, cities, ortrGsses and Provinces now in GU
: possession and demand no Naturalization 70
o costs of the war forced as it was upon us,) AM
forgive all former debts, and withdraw all on
forces from their soil and waters speedily, bu
will return 10 The Mexican government all tn
trophies of our victories taken from them, nov
in possession Of our government, with ali tn
munitions OF war or public property taken rol
them since the war commenced"
This is hOiO the Journal of Commerce woul
get out; and it is a plump back out from Ia
Scrape-particularly plump for a paper whic
taxes rank as friend of the administration. A
10 Inc particular mode of ending the war we car
but little the man thing is to have it ended. an
re the means which the opponents Of The admin,
of traion can use are few and simple. The frs, nm
best is to take ground against receirine am, NM
land. Had it not been for land to carve il,
slave States, we should have had no Texan n
neXation--no war with Mexico; and the nome