The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-09


Executive SET forth in the Presidents message and
in the report OF the Secretary OF War 1t begins be
high time to lay over. at least suspend the lucubra-
tons of our correspondents We give place, however to
the following communication from an experienced officer
OF the army and shall then, for time, rest upon our
oars
our correspondent protests against the plan of deen-
siVe line and IN this he is confirmed by letter from
most distinguished officer which in the last vessel
rom Vera Cruz He writes from the city of Mexico,
october 80 as follows: "Shall reroyrale and occu
py the line we have proposeli By adopting this plan
we SNAIL IN measure, abandon the war; and bring our
selves INTO more less contempt with the nations of
Europe say abandon the tcar because is well known
tha the object in crossing the Rio Ganle and especially
OF the campaign from Vera Cruz to this capitalize geo.
graphical centre and heart of the republcwas to compel
Or IN the cant phrase of the day, to conquer peace
This peace will not be attained by withla wing to line
however generously that line may be arranged; and
consequently the objects for which the war was under
taken will have failed. But it does not become great
nation like ours to fail in aught it undertakes ami hence
regard our honor implicated in the prosecution of the
war until its object is attained"
PLAN FOR THE WAR
can war have their amongst the statesmen and
people OF the United States
large party, irritated and asionished at the folly
and Obstnacy OF the MeXcans view in the shadow of
povidenal destiny and willing to follow out le-
sltimale warfare to lis natural and probable results of
conqmest-absoute conquest
A most respectable party, weary and disconnected with
the unforeseen duration of war; can see no probable
end to it, They dread extensive conquest and any man
ner OF annexation OF mongrel and besoed race; they
Tear reaction prejudcal TO our free republican nsu
lions.
third party-the utras-can only see evil and in
quity in the war; in its inception and results; and are
willing that this should be confessed our armies with
irawn, and every claim abandoned
The second party propose the assumption and defen-
sve occupation oil boundary to suit ourselves, the with
dawa OF our troops TO this line, and the suspension OF
| active
T This idea was, at first vew striking and plausible :;
some could see IN 1t moderation others, magnanimty
and all calculated upon the weakness, the sensible for
oearance or acquescence of the enemy; economy was
even mentioned and all perhaps, hoped that it would
prove, in some sort, the close Of the par
| Let us consider some difficulties and objections
l. There would be extreme difficulty in adopting a
range OF opinions on this Not TO consider those OF
extreme uras, any possible boundary from the Nueces
| to Darien has its friends and advocates and, while
large portion of the people look upon New Mexico and
California as settled gueson-ours orever--some ae
willing to dismember the latter and retain only the
bay OF San Francisco; and (parenthe'lcally) whilst
WOW that we consider conquest legitimate territorial
le, and could prove that every power of Chrisendom
acts up to the principle, suggest this bay of San
francisco as test Of the principles OF those who call it
robbery.
2. This plan would be confessed indefinite postpone
| nent OF peace.
8. 1t would be impossible to say how long this boun-
larry would be-but it may be assumed at least 1000
nles ii must necessarily be very weak and il would be
more expensive than the At present For, il must be
visions and maeriel would be immense; defences and
| quarters would have to be built and more men would
'e required General SCOTS army OF 10000, by the
icton, could capture the city of Mexico but, divided
out and on the defensive, in fifty ways its power would
| be dissipated.
A. The inconceivable ignorance and pride of the Mex
leans would attribute our retiring to weakness; all the
elements of mischief in their strange national condition
start into new life and vigor; and in purely military
vew the consequences may be illustrated by the con-
sideraton of the following assumption. General Scott
would have had more difficulty and loss in retreating
after the goth of August than he had in following out
ais splendid successes in the conquest OF the city of
Mexico.
s. The last, and perhaps the greatest objection to this
Dan, which will now be mentioned is, that the military
chieains, great and small, would be tempted and melted
by many motives to make attacks upon the defensive line
Some OF them would be too strong to be resisted without
concentration, and would be disastrous to We
should be in every way harassed; border would
lesolae each side OF the fronter class of brgands
| would be fostered.
Let us give glance at the condition OF the Mex
ms and the of parties in%spg them ha m
| nay, perhaps, number 100000 Without regard to
color they may be said to be divided INTO three classes
| l. he dTny the pTleStnOOu anu tHe mllIlOhareS,
| chiefly landholders)--these govern.
| g. The middle class, of shopkeepers mechanics and
small proprietors, or culhvators.
B. The lowest class-greatest in number, chiefly In
| lans, of decided Indian blood. These are bondsmen
| ground TO the dust, OF condition than negro
dawes excessively ignorant and bigoed they easily
leceived and have been led to believe armies
posed of monsters of heresy, cruelty and oppression
The first class cling with deadly tenacty to their
power and privileges and will not allow peace until
| their nation is crushed and humbed
OF the second class, and the Mexican nation have
everything TO hope the liberals of the first class and the
| most enlightened of the third, will unite with them to
| form modeIado party, which will rest all hope OF
| Mexican self-govemment
The third Glass; by moderation and Justice, we must
| undeceve and should become their liberators
The objects OF the war, then, punishment for
tional wrongs honorable peace, indemnify and lbe
ration.
To attain these objects, army in Mexico should
be increased to at least $4,000 men: from the city
IF Mexico and from Monterey bases of operation and
probably from base at Tampco) strong columns
should penetrate every important State and defeat and
lsspate all armed resistance; its capital being occupied
The general would become the governor of the State, and
| he would maintain his authority with a force varying
his proclamation decreeng the abolition OF the slavery OF
lebtors; OF all laws or customs by which the INDECENT at
fixed and low rate, held to labor by the rich
sfacon of their ne decreasing) debts Also the abo
tion of all taxes upon marriages. chrstenings and bu
rels, whether in the shape of legal fees, custom, do
| E,tions.
And further that of all unenclosed and unimproved
lands, good title to moderate quantity should be es
| ,abshed by actual occupancy and Improvement.
A forced contribution should be levied upon all those
# wealth who should show themselves inimcal and
| fractoy.