The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-09
Origin and Conduct OF the War.

view II is temperaely and concusively written, and
the clear though succnct review which il gives both OF
the origin and the of the war; must fully vndcae,
we think TO every unprecedented mind, the policy OF the
administration in regard to the war; from the aspersions
which have been cast upon by the federal orators and
presses
The article sets forth with great dstinctness the mag
nitule and importance of the achievements which have
already resulted from the and it does than
Justice to the wisdom and efficiency displayed by the War
Department the plans devised for its prosecution In
respect indeed we think that the article hardly dwells with
sufficient force upon the foresight displayed by the
War Department in the management of the campaign.
The recently published correspondence between that de-
mrtment and General Taylor shows that while the early
occupation and conquest of California ana of the north
en provinces of Mexico regarded as the first blow
proper to be struck the conflict, yet the attention of
the authorities at Washington, was promptly turned to
the expedency of attack upon the Gull coast OF that
country as soon as the season would admit of opera
TONS or the other plans OF the campaigns would permit
When the war commenced, it was too late to make
attack upon Vera Cruz, or perhaps Tampco But there
were other things to be done, and they done Cali
fornia was SEIZED and Keany sent forth in one drec
ton. Through the wilderness,) and Stevenson in
other (around Cape Horn) to hold the country. Our
last accounts prove the triumph of our arms there
detachment was sent under General Kearny to
Ply Santa Fe and New Mexico That object too, has
been accomplished; and though some partial insurrec-
tons have taken place, yet the last accounts leave our
arms again triumphant, and Santa Fe in our hands
, We have sent strong detachment under General
Taylor and Monterey, with New Leon, are in our
hands Great struggles have since ensued but the enc
N.Y. with 10000 troops, and Santa Anna at their head,
have been defeated, and victory still attends our ban
ner; and from the mouth Of the Rio Grande to the
base of the mountains including the capital OF the prov
ince, the region is still in our possession.
Thus we have succeeded in cutting off the northern
Provinces; but as the arrived for attack
ing the gulf ports, Tampico was taken, and Vera Cruz
with the CASTLE is probably at this time in hands.
The navy has co-operated with the army, and won
new conquess for its country.
fact as the Democratic Review shows, the most aston
ishng ieats have been performed, and immense extent
OF country has been conquered in the brief time which
has intervened since the commencement of the war.
We claim, therefore, for the administration, all
the credit which the Democratic Review attributes to
it. We beg leave at the same time to say,s that
though we had decided superiority over the
enemy In our troops ana suppueS, yet we nan lne
most serious difficulties to encounter in our gno-
rance OF the country, which sometimes sug
gested plans of approach that enlarged
experience corrected. We had great difficulties to
encounter in the mountains and passes of the interior,
which covered Mexico. We have experienced also
much difficulty in her inhospitable coast, and in
her deeterious climate. The wonder is really how, in
spite Of these and with so small an army as we had to
begin the war; so much has been done in so short time
lis the energy OF the administration the enthusiasm of
ourpeope the skill of our generals and the vaor of
troops which have done all this
Had the promptule and energy thus displayed by the
Administration been duly seconded BY Congress in the
early part of the last winter, it is not too much to say
that long before the present time, results even of
higher importance in this projected line of operations
would have been achieved under circumstances most ia
vorabe to the health, the safety AMI the efficiency of
our forces But depended upon Congress- and not up
on the Administration, to supply the requisite MEANS both
OF money and of men, for this most wisely conducted
erprse. The proper application made to Congress
again and again from the very of the ses-
son IN repeated calls from the various departments of
the Executive government Yet in despite of all this
gency irrelevant AMI profess discussion matters
wholly foreign to the conduct of the war; was kept up
with pernacity and violence, while the most important
and pressing business of the countrythe Army Bill and
The Loan Biwere postponed to the last weeks of the
session.
II is hardly necessary that addition to what is urged
by the article before respecting the vision and the
energy displayed by the administration in the conduct of
the war; should call the attention of our readers to
the plan which has been recently adopted, with the view
TO make the war; at least in part sustain itself BY the
revenues collected in those Mexican ports which may be
IN our military possession This great measurehe inn
mediate alvantayes OF which are so obvious AMI the u
terror nsicia eects of which cannot perhaps at this
time be fully and precisely cacuate1-has been brought
forward at the first moment, when the probable opera
lions OF troops rendered il practicable upon the Gulf
coast, to any considerable extent As have before
seen, similar system applet without delay to the
ports the Pacific, which fell into our occupation
Soon after the occupation of Maamoros and of Tampco by
our forces suitable instructions looking the benefit OF
our own treasury, usual in regarl to the import
and export uaie OF those places. The obstinate
preaching occupation by our forces of Vera Cruz-at
once the principal seaport AMI stronghold OF Mexico
have now rendered proper that still more complete
AMI comprehensive plan of military contributions in the
ports OF Mexico, should be brought forward II has
accordingly been laid before the country in its details
and the execution OF it given charge to the apnropriae
military and naval agents of the government While
some OF the more violent federal presses are willing in
Inc lace OF well settled public law and of almost unan-