Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-09
From the Baltimore Republican and Argus


bloody field of Buena Vista.
From the Baltimore Republican and Argus
The Wig Clamor against the marching of
our Troops to the Rio Grands rebuked By Gen.
1aylor.-A considerable difference of opinion
prevails as to the cause of the present war
with Mexico The wings insist that it was
the marching of the American army TO the
shores of the Rio Grande-and in this opinion
they have been recently backed by Mr. Cal |
houn-w whilst the democrats insist that nothing
but the unequalled perverseness and obstina-
cy OF the Mexican race, gave rise to it. Oc-
casionally we find some wings referring to the
annexation OF Texas as the |tremote or pre-
dlsposlng cause of the war; whilst they all
agree that the marching of our army to the
shores OF the Rio Grande, was the immediate
cause of active hostiltes They adhere to this
latter argument solely because they think that
democratic agents are alone responsible for it,
but If the annexation of Texas had not been
aided by wing votes, they might perhaps at
tribute the origin of the war exclusively to
that measure. 1t so happens, however, that
the wings are mistaken in supposing that no
member OF their party advised the military
movement to the Rio Grande, and that the We
ry first suggestion Of that kind came from one
whom they claim as ''good Kentucky whig,"
and that 1t was chiefly owing to his advice
and opportunities, that the movement was
made so early. We allude to no less a person.
age than Major General Zachary Taylor, and
to prove what we say, we ask the attention of
our wing friends to the following extract from
his letter to the Secretary of War, dated Octo-
Der 4, 1916:
7 L
have reason to believe, moreover, that sal
utary moral effect has been exercised upon the
Mexlcans. Their traders are continually carry
ing home the news Of our position and increas-
ing numbers, and are confessedly struck by the
spectacle of large camp of we-appointed and
disciplined troops, accompanied by perfect securi-
ty to their persons and property, instead of the
impress ent & pillage TO which they subject in
their own country. For these reasons. our position
thus far has think, been the best possible butnow
that the entire folce will soon be concentrated, it
may well be a question whether the views of gov
eminent will be best carried out by Our remaining
at this point. 1t is with great Difference that |
make any suggestions on topics which may he
come matter of delicate negotiation but if our
government, in settling the question of boundary,
makes the line of the Rio Grande an ultlmatum,
cannot doubt that the settlement will be greatly
facilitated anu fastened by our taking possession
at ounce of one or two suitable points quite
near that river. Our strength and state of prepa-
ration should be displayed in a manner not to
be mistaken. However salutary may he the eff
feet produced upon the border people by our pre-
sence here, aCe too far from the frontier TO i'm
press the government Of Merico Nth our redi-
ness to vindicate, By force of arms, # necessary
our title to the country as far as the Rio Cra,ade.
The army of occupation will, in few days, be
concentrated at this point, in condition for vigo-
rous and efficient service. Mexico having, as yet,
made no positive declaration cf war, or committed
any overt act of hostiles do not feel at liberty,
under my instructions, particularly those Of Ju-
| iY s, to make forward movement to the Rio
Grande without authority from the War Depart
ment"
And he writes on the 18th of February, 1916:
| "Our advance to the Rio Grande will itself pro-
duce powerful effect; and it may be that the
common navigation of the zlver will not be dispu-
| ted
The import and intention OF this are not to
be mistaken. He says:
Our position thus far (meaning Corpus Chris
~ has been the best possible; but now that the
ENTIRE FORCE viN soon be concentrated it may
well be question whether the views of govern
ment will be best crrried out by our remaining at
this point. 1t is with great Difference that make
matter of delicate negotiation; but if our govern
ment, in settlir the question of boundary, makes
the line of the Rio Grande an utimatum | cannot
doubt that the settlement will be greatly acihta-
ted and fastened by our taking possession at once
of one or two suitable points on or quite the
river"
Here Gen. Iaylor's arguments come IN dl-
rect collision with those of the wings. They
say that our ''taking possession of one or two
points on or near that river" brought on the
war, and, consequently, delayed a settlement
of the boundary line; whilst General Taylor
looked to that act as the means of "greatly
facilitating and fastening the settlement" He
advised that it be done cat once"-and his
letter is dated October 4th, but the government
not being in haste to adopt the suggestions
of Gen. Taylor, he did not receive his orders
to proceed to the Rio Grande till four or five
months after he suggested and urged 1t, say
some time in the month of February.
But let us near General Taylor further
He proceeds to say" Our STRENGTH AND
STATE OF PREPARATION should be displayed IN
manner not to be mistaken. Here we are
too far from the frontier to impress the gov
eminent OF Mexico aO'h our readiness to vln-
d1cate by force, # necessary, our title to the
country as far as the Rio Grunde'
In this he eveidently again takes ground in
direct opposition to the wings. He was for
going to the Rio Grande for the purpose OF
'mpresslng the government of Mexico" by
grand military display, with our rediness
to yindicate by force of arms our title to that
river" and thought It the most certain plan of
preventing war; whilst they have always ar
gued that the marching of military force op-
posite one of their towns and "taking posses
sion of post there was enough to provoke
any people to hostilities, and was the imme-
date cause and the only cause of the war.
If they are right, then General Tay lor. is
wrong; but as they have professed to take
the general exclusively into their own keep
ing, we leave them to reconcile their differ
ences in the best way they can. 1t is sufi-
Gent for us to know, that, if they state the true
cause of the war, the first suggestion in favor OF
creating that cause, came from General Tay-
lor, and that he regarded it as the most GER
tain way to make an impression upon the
Mexicans favorable to peace. It is also a
satisfaction to know that, though Gen. Taylor
urged the movement to the Rio Grande with
considerable force and ability, the government
was very slov in adopting his suggestions
and that, if Mr.. Polk deserves any censure
for it, Gen. TAYLOR must come in for thu lar
gest share of it.
We allude TO these things, not for the pur-
pose of censuring Gen. Taylor, but to acquaint
the public with all the facts relative to the
present war, and the origin OF it. Subsequent
to the letter from which we make the above
extract, several others were addressed to the