The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-05-20
THE NEW ISSUE.
MEXICO OR NO MEXICO. y
DUTY OF THE WINGS.

new issue .Mrico or no Merico' is to be pressed
home upon the American people by the party in
power, it becomes serious question-what is the
duty of the wings in such crisis The Wings OF
the country have more solemn duty to perform than
merely to express and act upon their individual opn
ions in relation to public questions. They owe it to
themselves and to their children, that they should
not only get the ascendency in the councils Of The
Republic, but that they should keep it. Can this be
ment? Surely not Can it be done by opposing
the popular sentiment upon any subject Of pub
lie policy! Assuredy not. They must be content
to abide by what is obviously the opinion of the
majority upon all vital questions, if they expect to
obtain from the people the grant of their power to
them as trustees.
But why is il desirable that the Wings should be
in power in the General Government Obviously
to be able to carry into operation their principles Of
public policy which they believe interviewer with
the true glory and prosperity Of the Republic. The
doctrines Of the party in power are believed by
and wish is good citizens, to drive that party
from power. But how is that to be done, is the ques
ton! Surely by uniting among ourselves and by
endeavong to show the voters in the opposing party
that their true interests lie in abandoning their old
associations, and joining with us.
But there are measures upon which the public
mind will not he instructed will not be dictated to-
Suppose the Wing party should proclaim that one Of
It's cardinal principles was the dissolution of the
Unions there any one so blind as not to see that
overwhelming defeat in the elections would overtake
US? And why! Because the American mind will
not tolerate the doctrine--no matter whether it be
right or wrong. Again, suppose we were to engraft
upon creedResttution Of all the lands acquired
from the Indians by those mockeres which disgrace
our Statute Book under the name Of Treaties with
the Indians Il there any man SO silly as to sup
pose that we could prevail in the elections!
Now the acquisition Of territory, the enlargement
Of the bounds Of the Union is policy, that, in our
humble judgment, will always command the MAORI
ty Of the voices Of tho American peoPle-rght or
wrong. And why Because it is national trait Of
character, to offend which will always be followed
by certain punishment It would be as easy to era
dictate from the American heart the hatred Of kingly
government, as to attempt to convince the American
mind that the acquisition Of territory is not right
not for our interest. Right or wrong, the aequisi
sition Of territory is always holy in the eyes Of the
American people-by which we mean. the large ma
jority Of them II is lattering to our pride and to
our strength while it opens new fields to our enter
prize We are not approving this spirit Of our
counrymen but merely dealing with the fact as it ex
lists.
Well, the Wings went into the last Presidential
contest with THE most powerful and popular man Of
the age as their candidate but with opposition to the
acquisition Of Texas inscribed upon their banners.
What was the consequence? They were beaten BY
the party that went for Texas and all of Oregon,
with one of their weakest and most unknown men
as their candidate. It is not too much to say that
it was the Texas question which defeated in that
memorable contest.
In view Of these considerations therefore, and of
the evident design Of the party in power to force
other territorial question upon the country, it be-
comes the duty of the Wings to decide, whether
they Mi; ;nscribe upon their banners at the next
peat the experiment Of 1912! If we were beaten
upon the question of the PEACEFUL. annexation
of Texas by taking ground against il, viii we stand
better chance by going against the WAR annexa-
ton of Mexico? The very propounding Of the
question will awaken distrust in the mind, we are
sure.
The question Of the military occupation Of Next
co. Of the subjugation Of that country. is not ques
ton to be judged Of by ITSELF Il stands now, and
will hereafter stand connected with other questions,
deeply affecting the public interests. II Mr.. Polk
could make war with Mexico necessary, he can
make its subjugaton necessary-nay, he DiN try to
make it necessary These thoughts are thrown out
at random for the consideration Of the Wing patty
at large, and our brethren Of the Wing press. The
subject is worthy Of the profoundest reflection. To-
morrow we shall follow it up.
From Santa Fe. Yesterday, says the ST. Louis
Republican of the lth instant Mr.. Cuniffe arrived
in this city from Santa Fe He left the latter place
on the Sd Of April, and arrived at Independence in
twenty two days afterwards. At the time Of his de-