The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-29

View.
In the latter part OF October last dinner given
the city of Mexico by Major General Worth to Generals
Quman and Shields, the OF the return OF those
officers to the United States The party composed nearly
all the higher officers of the army AT this dinner the
question came up for discussion, what we should do with
Mexico and what course our government should pursue
IN reference to the war
On this subject there was scarcely difference of opn
ion in that large assemblage of the Aue of the army
all two or three advocated the occupation and re-
enon OF the country until satisfactory peace was con-
cuded, or until shall be deemed expeden by our gov,
eminent TO abandon it. And this general CONVICTION mad
been Produced not by considerations OF selfish or pro
essona character-for all these officers were impatient
of their long absence from their homes and amhes-bu
by stubborn facts and irresistible arguments
Many OF these facts and arguments have already peen
presented ia our columns them ALL would re-
qure of paper than we can well spare for such
purpose. -
dace us TO occupy the country has produced no slight ell
feet on the minds of our officers and czens-it is this
We have conquered their country, overthrown their
government, destroyed all their means OF maintaining or
recognizing new government, demolished their de-
fences and annihlated their army Are we not then, un
der obligation to establish government in the place
OF that ovehrowno extend protection to those whom
we have deprived of the protection OF their own awsto
convert the chaos 10 which have reduced their affairs
INTO order and good government Is 1t not due 10 CIVIL
zalons 1t not the dictate OF mercy JUSTICE and equity
that we should save unfortunate Mexico from the ruth
less anarchy defenceless hepessness into which the
invasion will precpitae her Will IT not be an act OF
VI
beautiful country and unfortunate people, and save
them from the crushing rule of corrupt and degrading
military horde Would ii not be an act OF the soundest
wisdom and policy IN us to save this fallen country from
the necessity of calling foreign and monachica gov
eminent to assist in restoring order and security among
this afflicted people 2
acknowledgements that the age calls for arguments OF more
practical and selfish character than this appeal TO justice
and mercy Let us, therefore, turn to arguments which
come home to our purses.
The valleys of Mexico and Touca are the most beau
tul and highly favored in the world The soil produces
every grain, plant and fruit, which is demanded by the
wants sought after by the taste OF civilized man. The
immense number OF poor Indians and Poems supplies an
abundance of labor All that is wanting 10 render this
region the most productive and weahiest in the world is
good stable government, which, by giving security to
property person. and capital will attract hher the la
Dor and capital of other people, and open 70 the com
merce and enterprise OF foreign nations. The conse
quence OF the proper and productive cultivation OF the Ter
tile valleys of Mexico will be the increase of imporla
tons of manufactured and other articles not raised in the
country, but for which the people WILL under system Of
moderate duties eagerly seek to exchange the large sur
Even under the partially prohibory duties of the Mex
lean government, and the corrupt Misrepresentation and
defective revenue laws which have long prevailed there
the receipts at Vera Cruz have been as high twenty
millions year Under the tariff hurrledly framed by
Mr. Walker last spring. the receipts we learn from MT
Dmond, collector at Vera Cruz have been $500 000
and this during war; whilst all the avenues of trade
closed and all intercourse with the interior suspended
In peaceful and favorable condition OF the country
especially Wnen ue Interior Is unueT energetic
tion and the large capital which lies idle in the
country applied to the development Of its resources and
encouragement of labort would not be eytravagant TO
estimate the probable receipts from the customs alone
abundany adequate to the support OF energetic goY
ernment. And this large commerce will naturally and IN
eviaby fall into the hands of people; the imports will
be chiefly from the States; the carrying trade will belong
to ships and thus impulses will given to the
manufacturing and shipping interests OF our country The
new markets which will be opened to the trade and enter
prise of our countrymen in Mexico will far exceed, in
the nrOitahlpness demands all other
foreign markets There is portion of our Union which
will receive greater benefits from this measure than the
New England States. Indeed it will be TO them meas
of unmxed good for there is possibility that those
branches of industry which pursued in New England
can ever be protably followed in Mexico, whilst the
southern and western States would not be without grounds
for experimenting formidable competition in Mexico in
agricultural production.
Next to the cultivation of the soil, the working of the
be susceptible OF great improvement and extension. In
the unsettled Condition OF the country, which has been
the unhappy fate of Mexico for thirty years. its immense
mineral have been but very partially developed
The natives have long since abandoned them; and all
foreigners, the English have withheld their capital
from SO insecure an investment. The constant revolt
fast they could be realized The successful chief
demagogue OF the day would possess himself of all the
bullion he could lay his hands and the capitalist and
laborer would be deprived of the accumulation of years of
industry But the English always favored people
in Mexico The government of Great Britain has ever
been prompt IN inqung into and avenging any injuries
W suDJcCtS, III WOIlu lnty
may be- Thus, in Mexico, during the most violent
revolutions, the persons and property Of Engshmen are
always safe They at pesentthe sole owners work
of the mines They produce 90 900 900 of bullion
year. With fair competition, full of security, sound
government, stable laws, and free commerce. the pro-
ducveness of these mines could be increased Indefinitely
With but very little additional capital enterprise
backed by the protection OF firm government, the mines
in the hands of Americans, if opened to the labor and
capital OF all classes, could be made to yield 5ooooo0o
which, under occupation would be shipped to the
United States, instead of going to England it now
does: Gen. Scott has plan for enclosing the mining
vesments and labor in that branch of industry He
thinks the mines might thus, by light income tax, be
made oproduce very large revenue, whilst the bullion
produced from them would find its way into the United
States.
But article is already too long, and we must again
defer the further consideration of the important subject
have already discussed at greater length than per-
haps agreeable to our readers