The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-25
III IA. Ed,ior sfAe Matie.al Hnis.l


Diplomatic Policy adopted by the Executive
orthe United States 20 negotiate, I'm its con-
nection with the operations OF the Conn
mander and Chief OF the Army to conquer,
Peace with Mexico.
Sir: Now that our victorious army have reached
the gates Of Mexico-now that Scott like Cortez of
old, is gazing with triumph upon the golden cupolas
of the Aztec cy- Is not an inaiispicous moment
to pause and consider how far the diplomatic policy
of our Executive has contributed with the success
e our arms in conquering peace with that Repub-
lie II is a favorable occasion in the progress of
events which have become historical to pause and
examine how far the Government of the United
States under its present Administration, has impro-
we'd upon its long established system Of honesty,
combined with energy in It's negotiations with for
eign powers. In discussing this question: 1t is not
my purpose TO examine the constitutonality of the
existing war although contend that its opponents
upon that ground could find the best constitutional
authorities in America To support them in their mega
tive position TO this Mexican, as John Hampden in
England found TO sustain him In his patriotic hos
dlity TO the usurped power Of the British King TO
wage Spanish war. Referring this point, however,
10 dsputants upon Constitutional law, purpose in
this letter 10 review concisely some Of the principles
and arts Of diplomatic fnesse which the Executives
has adopted and attempted TO apply TO n system Of
practical negotiation.
In commenting upon this new code of diplomacy,
profess TO be but plain spectator Of its workings
Invested of the Court dress and speech of Its circle
and having no other object in view than practical
enquiry for the information Of the public into its
meaning and design.
As Americans we are in the habit Of declaiming
against the subtle school of European diplomacy, and
think justly. At the close of an agtated period Of
European affairs, all the monarchal interests centre
ing In one close alliance subtle and artificial system
Of diplomacy was naturally created; and 1t was not
until a veteran soldier, who had acquired habit Of
iron nerve in the field, invaded the tactics taught
even in this school, that the Representatives of the
Allied Powers, in the Congress Of Vienna with Tai
eyrand at their head learned that there was much
strength in the truth blunty told asfasehood subtely
concealed. With change in the scene of action the
relation Of the Duke Of Wellington TO the dplomasts
of Europe, was not unlike the part which another
veteran soldier had TO sustain on different stage
with far opposite caste of the Corps Diplomatique
The call by Congress, upon the War Department for
the correspondence between Gen. Taylor and its
head, disclosed system OF diplomatic art which the
most corrupt adept educated in the Monarchical
school, from which it was aifectedly copied, would
have been at loss to comprehend in theory, much
From this production il will be seen that the man
who had distinguished himself so emnently for the
holiness and energy of his character that he acquir
ed the soubriquet of Rough and Ready" was selec-
ted the agent to employ the most subtle and unfair
means TO accomplish the most unjust and unworthy
ends. Presented to man remarkable for his plain
forward dealing, and where his principal duty was to
deal hard blows instead of studying impracicable
theories of diplomacy-who had been reared to ready
action in the Camp and not bred to dupcity in the
Court--they appeared in the light of ridiculous alb
surdity. The Commandern-Chie in Mexico thus
failing in subtleness TO comprehend the instructions
OF the Taleyrands at Washington, it was proposed
in order TO combine the duties Of the two depart.
ments in making the War carry into execution the
instructions Of the State to establish nm intermediate
power between the Executive and the Army Con-
gress refusing, however to recognize such union in
the strength Of Lieutenant General that plan was
forced to be abandoned.
The Executive pcrceiving that the Legislature
could no, comprehend all the argument nor the coun
try appreciate all the poetry wreathed with so much
grace combined with strength around the sword, was
driven to the trial of other expedents which traced
their origin to opposite systems working under DIFF
ferent governments.
Conceived in the profigacy of corrupt courts, these
Illicit intrigues Of monarchical Europe were no,
deemed unworthy Of adoption by the Republican
Executive Of the United States; and 10 the scandal
Of the country, we them carried on at one time
with foreign adventurcrs and at another entered in
10 with men whose country had either banishec
them as exiles or denounced them as traitors. A
man who combined the qualities Of wiley states
with military despot, had been exled from q
country whose government he had usurped, and tc
III L.. A.
rous for the profigacy Of his character and the dis
honesty of his principles, he seemed to possess on.
base quality Of mind, which was cultivated to tn,
perfection Of genius-and that was duplcityl S,
admirably did he make this quality compensate 10
the absence Of every great one that he possessed tn
power by skilful combination Of every slight cir
cumstance in his favor with an ingenious misrepre
sentation OF every fact against him, TO make hi
countless defeats appear vctorious--hs cowardic
courage, and his rank treason patriotism So adroii
" was this deception practced upon his country
men, that they could not unravel the skill whic
made 50 many pitable failures, inreieved from con
tempt by one noble sacrifice, appear success; an
they gazed OH like duped crowd In n country thea
ire at some trick of harlequin whose slight of han
they gazed at but could not comprehend At lengt
one OF those prolific revolutions, which spring 5
spontaneously from the bloody soil of Mexico
sprung up, and this mushroom of their growth VIII
so successfully played the part, by initiating tn
speeches and affecting the actions Of great mar
was stripped Of his disguise, and declared an outa,
and traitor to his country. Having for tim
abandoned all hopes of restoration to the powt
which he SO flngranty abused, he betook himself
the Havana and surrounded by q few devoted 70
lowers, the Napoleon of the West" made his S
Helena on the island Of Cnba.-nnd there deprived {
II tIa III.