The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-28
COMMUNICATIONS.
lFo, the Union.


done them by that so-calied sster republic II Is the
dtv of he neope of the United States learn the char
acter Of the ouirages thus inflicted reckessy OF remon
STRANGE OF of our national power, and boldly and rncor
ously where spoliaion was tempting, or arbitrary ven
geance could be gratified. rooted anupathy has al
WAYS prevailed there towards citizens, and has shown
itself in all forms of persecution and annoyance privately
and by public authority under government dshonor-
ing the of republican II is true, that the conven-
lions with that mi-barbarous and inoleant govern
men ueied the complaints for these suierngs OF our
citizens, although they renamed unredressed; yet he
bitterness and audacy which actiaied the prosecutions
remained unmtigated and unrepented, declaring ine'
Selves whenever any occasion for ann or haushthess
was afforded such unrebaked and If We Tev ,
spirit which ruled Mexico after the annexation 0,
las it had always done,) and rose ana 'oWefe1 'e ~
arrogance towards our diplomatic oyerures' ouI p'ei
fers of amity and dspassonate negotiation were epseu
and pre,ext of fastdious puncto taken to graiiy
hostile disdan. | do not mean now 70 discuss 'ne ques
ton OF either the right relatively to Mexico, 70 annex
Texas nor the expeiency OF the measure vi the Iigh
I have never had doubt-surc, have always BEEN
that it would puzzle any thorough Jurst to establish
distinction in International law bstween an ackn9weag
ment OF nations independence de anu one de foeto
But, admitting that Mexico might have raised debale OF
The point. and under wounded pride should have had
indulgence for peulance, her excitement was deeper
than that, and her purpose, like her hatred OF us,
more dire than remonstrance or denunclati0h enc De-
came more our envenomed foe than she had ever been
Ii were better encounter the open aggression than e
insidous enmity OF such government using the mask
and chances of political peace to assal and harass ana
despo II is not intended, by this remark, to insinuate
that war was an expeient to be coed by under any
falaces or pretences 10 chasten OF quiet an OMEN
sve spirit such dominant and hNed IN Mexico
But we would characterize the e ne,ot TO-, Dn ar
that governed in that turbulent military despotlsm; ana
war having, fact occurred, and our victories having
impressed upon Mexico our pof In all ITS due stress
and tone let rejoice thai our responsiveness enforced
BY the storm of battle may teach them to respect our
rights and appreciate citizens as above the grade OF
crafty barbarans Reigously inolerant and socially ex
elusive as they may be- let the property and persons OF
our citizens be sacred though the respect have been
by the horrors OF war; and secured by dread OF ma
These are views that think may be concurred in by
all Americans of every party. Our country, and our
countymens rights first whatever aMong OURSELVES De
movements policy. l am wing, though not accus-
toned bindy to receive as special faith all opinions
that party authorities may chance to pomuge nor TO APP
nent the assuming OF my party fear not therefore,
to say that SO during the late debates in Congress
in the course OF the war Mr. Polk account OF the
war with Mexico anything has been uttered excnuating
the wrongs endured from Mexico, or aahng her herce
and arrogant temper, deprecatng indignation Tor her
systematic trespasses and hatred cannot deem the con-
duct of wing representatives conslderate or PATRIOTIC
sensitive they should be for American honor and alive
to the first and the ustious duty OF government to fee
ior the rights and ayenge the wrongs OF Americans
This patriotic restraint has not often been violated IN
the debates referred TO; but it has IN one instance
n been It. d in
the earnestness of his attack the ground for war,
sumed by MIR. Pok-the injuries done our citlzens-he
is distinguished above other antagonists IN dealing Out
mercess Disagreement of the claims of those citizens
Not only does he denounce in general those that passed
the mixed commission under the convention but nveshs
against those remaining undecided AS to those that have
been already adudcated might have expected, IN oil
official comfy, that being adjudcated, he would not be
their assaan if even he could not be their advocate
We would have supposed that the view OF one IN a
political position, those decided claims, alter three-old
probing and sitting, from American and Mexican com
missioners and the umpire would have attained MOI ony
presumpve validity, but claim to respect But the
fairness of the claims challenged and the principles OF
national law upon which their payment was awarded are
ID. ,,r,I,c taI hxr rpsIfInn
he enuncates oracuarly and rumphantly. OF his law,
we need only say that is not very sudiousy considered
and does argue much discriminating inquiry INTO the
principles that have been deh~ ed and sanctioned under
the various treaties for indemnity between tins country
and other powers Perhaps, too may be true IN public
law that existing treaty may so far protect citizens OF
one OF the parties oil the treaty 10 make that wrong
TO be noticed by that party which, general principles
of International law, and in the absence OF such conven
1onal provisions might not be such cause OF compliant
profess not to meddle The condemnation by this gem
tlenan of the undecided cases, (Which government
deemed worthy of care, and even generous amabe
Mexico herself thought plausible enough be submit
ted to commssion,) is most general and unsparing
know what extent the proof OF this secuted class
of claims may have been file and ACCESSIBLE but as
sumng the complete testimony 10 be already produced,
IA great mprobabiity) what remarkable assdulty this
gentleman has displayed in his researches to grasp and
amass the merits of all Of these muarlous demands And
vet he has adjudged them And his speech, magnanl-
nous 10 abusel Mexico tells her that she has in all this
done wrong and has weakly yielded to our dom'
these preiensions possibly valid CLAIMS but also in not
paving us off in worthless treasury notes OF hers instead OF
substantial CON- as she surely would have done if she
had had the right TO do so! am glad that Mr. PEN
dleon is alone in the glory OF such an etfusion.
OF the claims adjudged have knowledge in many
instances know that they carefully and critical
ly examncd and so far as my humble acquaintance with
international law enlighcns me, they were clearly, ]
think, entitled to be vndicacd by government They
were canvassed by the two sets of commissioners, and
then through the ordeal narrow and cafpiug
one some thought, of the umplre's judgment A more
rigid scrutiny and estimate could not we'll have been APP
plied and thus rgidly dealt with, and after days and
weeks OF consideration have been applied, to test ugtt
case shall we defer to that result rather than yield
10 superficial accommodating view taken OF the merits
of many such and only to sustain prePossessons
and minister to partisan rbeoric' Before leave tins
subject | must partcuarize OF these prescribed
clams-so il-starred to be detained by the member
from Virginia | allude to that conemptuously desg-
mated as made by "an Italian SIanard, whom ne de,
scribes as having presided short time In the United
States before he went to MexicoT ! know the clam
and the claimant. AS TO the claim, ! have not time
10 enter into detail; but sure | could need
comment to show that it founded on
deep and Iulnous wrongs, and not beneath any
AS illustration OF the oppressive despotisn OF the
Mexican government Only portion OF the clam was
passed upon that in truth, the $4,000 that figures N
Mr. Pendleons speech, does not Indicate the retrench-
ment to which the commission subjected the pretensons
of the CLAIMANT That $50 900 was an amount, hastily
assumed by the umpire, and apparently random estimate
But that be as may lei the recital and proofs of the
wrong pc examined, ana no one can question the right
fitness of the demand nor Condemn as extravaganza even
the computations assigned 10 il by the claimant But
does the claimant (who is MIR Santangelol deserve TO be
dismissed from the OF government as mere adyen-
turer in the thin though convenient guse of an American
citizen All who know hun will IIepei the assault as
most irnoble He is gentleman OF distinguished talent
brhI,t acatad rich in varied learning and acconnl;s