The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-09

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selves OF the extreme rights of our position; and while
the most savage and assassn-like murders have been
committed by the Mexicans upon those unfortunate
Americans who have fallen accidentally into their hands,
our troops have humanely forgotten the anmosites
which creates, and have treated their undeserng
caplives as friends and brothers.
Though Napoleon asserted that war must support war,
policy has been different Our army has paid liberal
" for its supplies has afforded protection 10 the terri
tory captured and its effective action, though preceded
by the smoke OF battle has been restoring safety and
tranquility wherever II has planted its eagles
We repeat then, that we have had clearly the right of
all other nations TO attack and weaken enemy; and
TO do this eectuay, our armies of necessity
PEELED to advance.
Besides the right, have seen the necessity OF often
sive operations Even when victorious, pacific
overures again made TO Mexico have been allowed to
sleep the table of her Congress- and far
may indicate, the policy OF that government is not
marked by desire for peace any than any for
mer period and the truth Is, peace is the element
upon which Mexican statesmen gain maintain then
personal ascenlancy. The Prptorans OF the Roman
pre Were not influential corrupt in their day,
than the armies which in Mexico follow either against
foreign enemy, their own countymen the bloody
aspirans power who afford the Creates, amount OF
money most lavish in promises OF future bounty
With offensive thus justified in every possible
view, line OF operations marked out, which,
though when misunderstood, was made in some omar
tiers the subject of cav, admitted to discover the
highest military tact and genius
The conduct OF the President in this emergency was
manly and patriotic and deserves the thanks OF every man
who has regard for the honor of the country II be-
came evident to HIM that local operations upon the Rio
Grande or along the gulf coast, however brilliant and
necessary, not all that Were 10 be considered
glance at the map of North America admonished him
that Mexico rested the Pacific and that she had there
| a military organization and vessels OF war. lie
perceived too the danger 10 which large commercial
interests in that might be subjected and he also re-
garded those important interests connected with the
movements of western trading caravans and the pro
gramne OF the campaign was constructed accordingly
While these interests to be secured and protected
the hand Mexico was to be assaulted on the other.
The arrangement OF our forces was made TO tins end and
| Al usntta pfnlf ha aptnr
The expedition OF Gen. kearny TO Santa re, nj the
head of gallant though not numerous army-hls ne OF
march being westward from Missouri, resulted IN the
conquest OF New Mexico, and the subsequent occupation
of Upper California. Security was thus given 10 our
trade the Pacific and ports were provided for the &C
conmodaton of our whaling and merchant vessels The
march of Gen. Kearny attended with success, UNI
stained by any acts of nhumany towards the inhabitants
of those provinces. So far from that, temporary code
of law has been promulgated under the authority of the
government, which for the first time illustrates TO adown
nodden race the blessings of civil and religious liberty
The expedition of Gen. Wool, equally well planned,
has been equally successful.
While the occupation of Santa Fe gave our forces the
command OF the passes TO the Pacific, Gen WOODS opera
tons, directed for many hundred miles westward from
San Antonio de BeXar, gave us the present control OF
another large portion OF the Mexican territory cut IT oil
from the capital, prevented It's taking part in the cam
paign at the SOUTH and enabled him TO sweep down in
triumph to Sallo, to unite with General Taylor and
threaten march San Luis de PotosI Meanwhile Mex
leo, periidous the last is TO be assailed point
where her best and greatest strength emans and thus
taken at last IN her net conquered her terri
tory she will be compelled TO listen TO the offers OF peace
often made in friendship, ana henceiorwari 10 be pre-
scented IN mercy.
II is evident from this glance at the plan OF the cam
paign that immense territory has been captured from
Mexico; and that all our military movements have been
in harmony and thus far completely successful
1t is the opinion, indeed, OF eminent engineers, that so
large field OF operations before completely
attempted by small army; never with such means was
much acquired, never more splendid victories
gained at such odds
Cooperating with the army, our navy has been vig
liant and powerful ally. The conduct of commanders
the Pacific and the Gull has been the subec public
congraiulation II is the fortune of all naval forces
when engaged in combined operations 10 be subordinate
in their those OF the army and their repu
taon sometimes suffers under the accidents which be-
long to lee shore, exposed roadstea, the difficult
ty OF contrary winds. On the ocean, ship is thing OF
under all these disadvantages, has added its establish
ed fame, and will be found ready strike decisive
blow when the proper time arrives
In looking at the results OF the Mexico, we can
not but notice the remarkable fact that our army and
navy have covered line of and territory OF 1880
miles IN length, without material less in TWO campaigns
while those OF France after eighteen years OF active ope
Iaons, at an immense expenditure of money and life,
have failed as yet TO the position of city
IN Africa The contrast IN these results becomes the
surprising when take into view the vast dis |
parity between the military OF that nation and
own.
Among the inherent difficulties in the conduct of a war
part are the small number TO which the policy of
the country has limited the standing army, and the delay
arising from the action of Congress providing for an
accession 10 our resources II the early
mendaions of the War Department had been promptly |
attended 10, vast advantages would have accrued TO the
service, which 1t is now less easy 70 secure.
Incidental difficulties have also occurred scarcely less
formidable and embarrassing. The itmed correspond
ence OF Gen Scott, the temporary resignation of Gen.
WORTH the preclptate action OF Gen. Games, and the |
published letter of Gen TAYLOR might have well disturb
ed as mind, and ruied as unclouded brow as
that of the Secretary of War. All these matters have
had their influence in distracting the public mind and
have furnished materials for assaing at the caprice Of
the dIsafected, the motives, Intentions and position of
head OF department, who eminently entitled, his
arduous position to the entire support and sympathy of
the country.
And now, that the correspondence between Gen. Tav
Tor and the Secretary OF War has been published il is
manifest to the most Indifferent observer that much, very
much has been LETT to the discretion OF the American
generals that his views have been sought in the most
friendly manner by the administration and in the most
friendly spirit received No matter how competent, or
how Jealous or how efficient War Department Of itself
may be, II is indispensable that confidence should be
posed in the generals it sends 10 the field.
The military correspondence between Secretary Marcy
and General Taylor does them both great honor and will
well compare with that collection which illustrates the pc
ninsuar 1t affords complete reiulaon of those
auiacous calnmnies which have been charged upon
govenment-the design of sacrificing gallant army
and it shows, while the necessity of the conflict was
forced upon by the vndictIve, unreasonable and 1
Quoted on our part with chWalnc courtesy-wh a de-
sire escape the efuson of blood, and 10 terminate a
struggle in which Justice and equity the tribunals to
which we alone wished TO appeal.
The Secretary of War knew his general, and the gem
eral appreciated the views OF his superior Between
them there has been real difficulty and there Justly
can be 1t is for those who ever ready 10 as
sail the goyemment-whose feeling is disaeclion and
whose ament is sire-to enieavor to create all the |
mischief in their power, to make the bold and