The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-06-02
FROM the ". 0. Picayune, May 90
zen. SCOtt'S Proclamation.
HEAD.4UARTERs OF THE ARMY,

4he General-an- -ChsJ Of the Aam,es of the
Onatsd States Of America TO the Mexicau
.Nation:
MExIcANs The recent events of the
war, and the measures adopted in conse-
quence by your government, make it my
duty to address vou--to show you truths Of
which you are ignorant, because thev have
been cnminaily concealed from YOU ! do
not ask you TO trust my words, (lhough he
who has never ialsifcd them has a right TO
conildcnce,) but'to Judge Of these truths bv
facts within the view and knowledge Of
you all.
Whatever may have been the origin Of
this war, which my country saw itself forced
toundertake by irremcdable circumstances,
which learn are unkncwn to The greater
part OF the Mexican nation, we regard it as
q necessity; such is it always to both bel
hgerents, and reason and Justice. if not for
gotten on both sides, arc in dispute, each be
l!eving them It's own. You have proof OF
thlstruth as well as ourselves, Tor in Mexico.
lis IN the United States, there have existed
and do exist two opposite parties, Desiring
the one peace, the other war. But Govern
mcnts have sacred duties, from which they
cannot depart; aud often these duties i'm
pose, tor national reasons Il silence and u
reserve sometimes displeasng to the majori-
ty of those who, from views purely person.
al or individual, make opposition. 10 this
Government cannot pay any regard. ex-
pcctlng the nation 10 place in it the conf
dence merited by Il magistracy Of their own
election.
Reasons Of high policy aud of contincn.
tai American interest prccipi,a,cd events in
nj fha (t..l,.
Washington, which, ardcnlly desiring TO
terminate its differences with Mexico, spared
no resource, compatible with honor, and
dignity, 10 arrive at SO desirable an end
and when it was injuIging the most Aatle-
ring hopes of accomplishing its aim by
frank explanation and rcasonings, address
ed to the judgment and prudence of the
vlrtuous and patriotic Government of D. ].
Herrera, the misfortune least looked for
dlspelled this pleasant hope, and at the same
time blocked up every avenue which could
lead to an honorable settlement between the
two nations. The new Government dis
carded the national interests. as well as
those of continental America. and elected
IN preference foreign inhucncers the most
opposed to those interests and the most fatal
TO the future of Mexican liberty and of the
republican system, which the United States
hold it duty 10 preserve and protect. Du-
ty, honor, and dignity itself impose upon us
the necessity ofnot losing season of which
the monarchial party was taking violent
advantage: for not moment was to be lost.
and we acted with the promptness and di-
cision necessary in case SO argent, to
avoid thereby a complication of interests,
which mi ght render Our relations more diff
cult and involved.
Again, in the course of civil war the Co.
vernment Of Paredes was overthrown. We
could not but hope this would prove fortu-
nate event. and that whatever other Ad-
ministration might represent the Govern
ment, it would be less de!udcd, us well as
more patriotic and prudent, if it looked to
the common good, weighing proba blries, its
own strength and resources, and especially
the general opinion as TO the inevitable re-
suits of national war. We were deceived,
as perhaps you, Mexican, were also de-
ceived in judging of the true intentions of
Gen. Santa Anna, whom you recalled, and
whom our Government permitted to return.
From this condition of things The Mexi-
can nation has seen what have been the
results-results lamentcd by all, and by us
sincerely; Tor we appreciate as is due the
valor and noble determination Of the unfor-
tunates who 90 to battle lI-Ied, worse 60
verned and almost invariably outraged by
deceit or rpcr6dy.
We have witnessed-and we cannot be
taxed with partiality for lamen,ing-with
astonishment that the heroic department of
the garrison of Vera Cruz, in its valiant de-
fence, was aspersed by the general who had
just been defeated and put to shameful flight
by force far inferior to that which he COM
manded at Buena Vista; that this general,
rewarding the insurgents and promoters of
civil war in Mexico, hcaped outrage on
those who had singuIarly distinguished
themselves by resistance beyond wha,
could be expected, and of admirable decision.
Finally, the bloody event Of Cerro Gordo
has shown the Mexican nation what it NAV
reasonably expect if it longer continues
blind to the true situation in which 1t has
fhppp pIapaH h,y 1c -, H..