The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-21

The following extract from letter of Mr..
buchanan to the recent War meeting in
Philadelphia affords such overwhelming evil
dence Of The intention Of the existing ADM
nistration to make the absorption Of entire
Mexico question before the people at the
next Presidential election, that we submit
it to the reader without further comment
than to remark that the men who have such
intention have the power to SO conduct the
war as to force this question upon the country !:
!" Heaven has smiled upon the Just cause |;
: and the character Of our country has been
: illustrated by a rapid succession Of brilliant
and astonishing victories. The exploits OF
our army have elevated our, national char
acter, and shed lustre upon our name
throughout the civilized world. In achiey-
ing these victories the blood Of many of our
best and most patriotic citizens has been
shed in the cause Of their country. In
Justice to their memory, we can never re-
tire withhonor from the fields where they
have fallen without indemnity for the past
and security for the future. If we should
: do this, then their blood will have
been shed in vain. To withdraw our troops
at the present moment would be to convert
the glory which we have acquired in just
and necessary war into national disgrace
and dishonor IA
The war has not been prosecuted for
conquest. AT every stage Of its progress
we have been willing to conclude Just
and honorable peace. Indeed we can new
er wage war for conquest---in the popu-
lar sense Of that term Our free institu-
tons forbid that we should subject nations
to arbitrary sway, If they come within
our power, we must bestow upon them the
same blessings Of liberty and law which we
ourselves enjoy. Should they be annexed
to the Union, as in the case Of Texas, they
must participate in the freest and best Go
vernment upon earth-on equal terms with
ourselves.
The capital of Mexico is now the head
quarters Of our conquering army, and yet
such is the genius Of our free institutions
that, for the first time, its peaceful and
well-disposed citizens enjoy security in
: their private rights, and the advantage Of
Just and firm Government. From all
that can be learned, they appreciate our
Protection al It's proper value, ana dread
nothing so mach as the withdrawal Of our
army They know this would be the sig
nal for renewed and fierce discussions
among their military leaders, in which the
: Mexican people would become the victims,
In this wretched condition Of affairs, justice
to them and to ourselves may require that
we should protect them in establishing up
{ on a permapent basis, a Republican Gov
ernment,-able and willing to conclude
: and maintain an equitable treaty Of peace
with the United States After every e(-
fort to obtain such treaty should finally
fail in accomplishing the object, and should
the military factions in Mexico stl persist
: in waging upon us fruitless war, then we
must fulfil the destiny which Providence
/ may have in store for both countries.
! $ many event, we owe it to the glories
| Of the past, to the duties Of the present, and
| the hopes Of the future, never to falter in
Es. the vigorous prosecution Of this war until
we. shall have secured Just and honorable
peace. The people Of the United States
will act upon their determination as surely
as that indomitable perseverance in righ-
teous cause is characteristic Of our race y