The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-12-01

We are informed by statement, which
apparently correct, that the number of our
countrymen slain in this lamentable Mexican
war-although it has yet been of only Is
months existence-is equal to one-half of
the whole of the American loss during the
sew zen years war of the Revolution And I
venture to assert, that the expenditure of
treasure which it has occasioned-when it
shall come to be fairly ascertaiaed, and footed
up-will be found to be more than half of the
pecuniary cost of the war of our Independence,
And this is the condition of the party whose
arms have been every where and constantly
victorious
How did we unhappily get involved in this
war 1t was predicted as the consequence of
the annexation of Texas to the United States.
| If we had not Texas, we should have no war.
The people were told that if that event hap
pened, war would ensue. They were told
that the war between Texas and Mexico had
not been terminated by a treaty of peace; that
Mexico still claimed Texas as revolted prov
ince and that, if we received Texas in our
Union, we took along with her, the war exist
ing between her and Mexico. And the Minis
ter of Mexico formally announced to the
Government at Washington that his nation
would consider the annexation of Texas to
the United States as producing state of war.
But all this was denied by the partizans of
annexation. They insisted we should have
no war, and even imputed to those who fore
told it, sinister motives for their groundless
prediction.
But, notwithstanding state of virtual war
necessarily resulted from the fact of annexa-
ton of one of the belligerents to the United
States, actual hostilities might have been
probably averted by prudence, moderation,
and wise craftsmanship. If General Taylor
had been permitted to remain, where his own
good sense prompted him to believe he ought
to remain, at the point of Corpus Christi; and
| if negotiation had been opened with Mexico,
in true spirit of amity and Cancellation, war
possibly might have been prevented. But,
instead of this pacific and moderate course,
whilst Mr.. Slidell was bending his way to
Mexico, with his diplomatic credentials. Cen
eral Taylor was ordered to transport his
non, and to plant them, in warlike attitude,
opposite to Matamoras, on the east bank of
the Rio Bravo, within the very disputed ter
ritory, the adjustment of which was to be the
object of Mr. Slidells mission. What else
could hav. TRANSFERRED but a conflict of arms ?
Thus the war commenced, and the Presi-
dent, after having produced it, appealed to
Congress. A bill was proposed to raise $4,000
volunteers, and in order to commit all who
should vote for it., preamble was inserted,
falsely attributing the commencement of the
war to the act of Mexico. have no doubt of
the patriotic motives of those who, after
struggling to divest the bill of that fragrant
error, found themselves constrained to vote
for it. But must say that no earthly con-
sideration would have ever tempted or pro-
voked me to vote for bill, with palpable
falsehood stamped on its face. Almost idol-
ling truth as do, never, never, could have
voted for that bill.
The exceptionable conduct of the Federal
party, during the last British war, has eXcle-
ed an influence in the prosecution of the pres
ent war, and prevented just discrimination
between the two wars. That war of
National Defence required for the vindication
of the National right and honor, and demand
ed by the indignant voice of the people
President Madison himself I know, at first
reluctantly and with great doubt and hesita-
ton, brought himself to the conviction that
it ought to be declared. leading, and per-
haps the most influential member of his