The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-15
The Mexican War-Its Morality, SC.

The actual fighting is finished in Mexico; but
there seems to be another war breaking out--a
moral war-a war in which statesmen and news
paper writer's, on both sides of the Atlantic, are
beginning to take an active part. In the present
age ofth world, editors and statesmen are as
important personages "a warriors and generals.
Newspapers, in all free countries such as France,
England and the United States, form a species
of volunteer statesmen, or Legislative bodies
warriors and soldiers, generals and privates,
only follow the impulses originated in newspa-
pers and legislative bodies; and when the fighting
Is over, the newspaper press and the statesmen
again resume their original sway.
Such is goiny to be the character of the new
movement in relation to the Mexican war. The
morality of the conflict, the character OF the COM
batants, the honesty of Mr.. Polk, are becoming
matters OF investigation throughout the civilized
world. The newspapers in London and Paris
are just as active in the discussion, as those OF
New York and Washington. On many occa-
sions after the arrival of steamers,we have given
extracts from the journals of London and Paris
on this subject; and our readers are aware, that
generally, the European press have, nall shades
condemned the morality of the Mexican war,
condemned the honesty of Mr.. Polk, condemn
ed the mode in which the war has been carried
on and condemned the United States for encou-
raging our government in its prosecution, or APP
plauding our generals for fighting so well. The
Times and the Chronicle, of London, and the Jour-
nal de Debats, of Paris, are the most conspicuous
in these views, although they have very little to
say against the morality of the English, in India
or China, or the honesty or humanity of the
French, in Algiers.
The strong moral war getting up by the govern
ment press in France and England, against this
country, for its conduct in the Mexican war, is
beginning to find great deal of assistance and
aid in this country, from a number of our dis
tinguished statesmen and leading journals. Mr..
Clay has commenced this movement, in his
famous Lexington speech, and it has been fol-
lowed mp by journals in Washington, New York,
and elsewhere; and now, the demonstration is
made complete, by leading articles in such jour
nails as the Lntelligencer of Washington, the 1ri-
bune of New York, and other journals of like
caibre throughout the country. Those states
men and journals even go farther in their denun-
citation of the war in all its aspects. In is origin,
progress, and results, they even 20 farther
than our highly respectable friends in London
and Paris, who have such an interest in crying
down every thing American and every thing re-
publican.
One point that seems to disturb their nerves
very much, is the dishonesty of Mr.. Polk In his
recent message, in alleging that Mexico COM
menced the war, while they say the contrary is
the fact Well, we.must admit, on this point,
that Mr. Polk has been very heterogeneous in his
recent message, and did not state the case fairly
or produce the proper impression, when he gave
out the idea that the war was begun by Mexico
on the Rio Grande, by attacking some of Gen
Taylors outposts. Mr.. Polk is a narrow-mlnd
ed man; he is a small country lawyer from Ten
nessee possessing an intellect not much above tina
of the little pettifoggng practices of common
rate country lawyer. The weakness and imbeci
lity displayed in his recent message whilst he pos
sessed such splendid materials, provedthe inefii
cheney of his mind and the want of great capa
city in his intellect. w admit all that in rela
ton to Mr.. Polk; but we do not admit, on tn,
general question that is involved between tn,
United States and Mexico, in the broadest sens,
of the term, that the war was commenced at al
by the United States.
From the very moment that Mexico declared
her independence from Spain, her efforts were
recognized with the highest sympathy by all the
people of the United States. On every occasion
she was befriended by our government and by
our people. Yet in spite Of these generous feel
ings exhibited towards the carly efforts oil
Mexico, that republic, nation, and as a
people, commenced, the first year of their in.
dependence, by gross outrages sanctioned
by their government their journals, and their
public opinion, against citizens of the Uni
Ted States. This hatred and outrage in.
creased for years Negotiations, il is true, took
,I.o. and treaties were made. hu, oil IN. ,ooo-
tiations and all the treaties were violated, when
ever il was necessary to escape from their fulfil
ment, by the Mexican people, and their rulers.
The incapacity of the Mexican race, as they at
present exist, TO establish form of republican
government, united with their barbarous and
insulting conduct towards the citizens OF thi,
country, naturally created amoag the American