The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-06-18

UEAn0UARrtus OF rnE AMY, J
Jalaia, May IL. !
lat. Col, Ill. Volunteers, com

ttd S'HsN y 4 Her'cn 10 ihs MTfcGn Nit'On.
Mexicans The recent events of the
war, and the measures adopted in conse-
quence by your government, make 1t my
duty 10 address you--to show you truths
Of which you are ignorant, because they
have been crlminallv conceded from you.
| do not ask you to Irus my words, Ohio
he who has never ral,ltied them, has
right to coniIence,) but to Judge of these
truths by facts within the view and la ~
edge Of you all.
Whatever may have been the origin of
this war, which my country saw itself
forced to undertake by rremediahle caus.
es, which learn are unknown to the
greater part Of the Mexican nation, We re.
gard it az a necessity; such is it always
to both beIllgerCnts, and reason aud JUS
tee, If not forgotten on both sides. are IN
dispute, each believing them its own
Iou have proof Of this truth as well as
ourselves, for IN Mexico, as in the United
States, there have existed and do exist
two opposite parties, desiTing--the one
! peace, The other war.
But governments have sacred duties,
from which they cannot depart; and Of
ten these duties impose, for national rea-
sons, a silence and reserve some lines dis
| pleasing to the majority Of those who,
from views purely personal or individual,
IN Ike opposition. To this government
cannot pay any regard, expecting the IA.
non TO place 1t in the confidence merIed
| by the magistracy Of their own election
Here follows brief recapi,ula,inn of
the attempts TO negotiate, previous to the
war.
We were deceived, as perhaps you.
MeXicans, were also deceived, in lud IIng
the true intentions of Gen. SANTA Anna,
whom you recalled, and whom our gov
ernment permitted to return. From thi,
condition of tins The Mexican nation has
seen wha. has been the resuls-resul,s
lamenied by all, and by US sincerely, for
we appreciate as is due the valor and no.
BILE determination of the unlortunates who
f 90 to battle ii.led, worse governed and
almost invariably outraged by deceit or
periidy. We have seen-and we can.
not be taxed with 2artjality for lamenting
with aslonishment that the heroic de.
ponmen, OF the garrison of Vera Cruz
p in lis defence, was aspersed by the gen
er2l who had just been defeated and pu
: TO shameful flight by force Car inferior
10 lha, which he commanded at Bueu;
e Vista that this general, rewarding tn,
.. insurgents and promoters Of civil war il
o Mexico, heaped outrage on those wilt
e had siugularly distinguished ,hemselve
a by resistance beyond what could be ex
d pecled, and of admirable decision.
d Finally, the bloody event Of Cerr
p Gordo has shown the Mexican nalioI
d what it may reasonably expec, if it longe
y continues blind TO the true situation il
). which it has been placed by some gener
f ais, whom it has most distinguished an
n in whom i, has mos, conlideG.
p rhe hardcs, hear, would be moved t
e grief in contemplating the battle. fields i
p Mexico a momen, after the last struggle
Q These generals whom the nation has
r, wilhou, service rendered, paid for so M
+ ny years, with some honorable exceI
IS TONS. have in The dav of need betraye
|. il by their bad example or unskilfulnes'
n On that field, among the dead and dy ins
h are seen no proofs of military honor, 70
!. they are red seed to the sad fate Of I'll
# s,ldler-lhe same on every occasion, (rol
I Pao Alto TO Csrro Gordo--lhe dead |
p remain unbured and the wounded aba
), doned to the clemency and charity of 1
conQueror. Soldiers who go to fight,
h peclmg such recompense, deserve to
|. cIassed among the hest in the worl
ID since they are stimulated by no hope
IS ephemeral glory. of regret, Of remei
10 brance, or even Of grave.
t. Again, Mexicans Of honorable prd
I. contemplate the lot Of peaceful and lab
\. rous citizens in all classes Of your soc
st ly. The possessions Of the Church n
,e naced and held out as an Increment |
le revolution and anarchy the fortune |
the rich proprletors pointed out for pl'
he der to the il-dsposed the merchant,
.. L artisan, the laborer and the manuts
h turer, brrdened with contributions, c
cises, monopolies, taxes upon consult
k. ZION, surrounded with restrictions
n charged with odious internal cus,ot
Ne the man Of letters and the statesman,
.. man OF liberal knowledge, who dare
n. speak. prosecuted without trial by ST
" faction or by the tulers who abdse I =
h. power; criminals unpunished and S, t
II. liberty, as were those of Pero,e--is
,e then, Mexicans, the liberty which \
a. enjoy. c
al | will not believe that the Mexican c
n. ,he present day are wanting in cou
IN 10 confess errors which do moi dish
Ct them, and to adopt ysicm Of lrnc ! a
he " ol neacs and union with their btdt
" and neighbors OF the north I; neither :
v. believe that they are ignorant Of
er falsi'y Of the calumnlcs Of the pre-"