The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-20
~ From the New York Herald.
The ProlOngation Of HOstilities.

z The PrOlOngatlOl OF H0StllltleS'
When we consider the immense re-.
sourcas OF the United States, and the
proof we have given the whole world
of our capability Of carrying on war
in an enemy's country, thousands OF
miles distant from home when we con-
slider too, the invariable success which
has Gro wned our arms in every part OF
Mexico since the commencement OF hos
tilities with that country, from the day
when the memorable battle OF Palo Al
to was fought, until that which witness
ed the defeat of the Mexican hordes
under the walls of their capitol-we
canno! but be amazed at the criminal
faulty which urges the enemy to con.
tinue contest so puIpably unequal, and
which has placed in our control the
whole Of his country.
We are acquainted with the stubbor-
ness and obslinacy of the Mexican char
acter-we are aware Of their pride and
haughtiness, and their willingness to
sacrifice every thing rather than sub
nit, but making all due allowances for
these, we are still surprised that that
people continue to hold out as they do.
They have been defeated in general ac-
ton by numbers infinitely inferior to
to those they brought against us-their
impregnable fortresses have fallen be.
fore the gallantry Of our oops-their
favorite plan Of guerilla warfare has fai-
led them--their capitol, even, is in our
possession-many of their principal Of
fcers are prisoners, and to crown all,
they are without an organized army
In the presence Of the whole world they
are defeated, conquered, and rendered
by irreparable losses incapable Of meet
ing our troops again in the field on the
terms that promise them the remotest
chance of success, or even partial ad-
vantage.
There must be some thing on which
they count that we do not know Of
There must be some basis of hope that
they rely upon for ultimately worrying
and wearying the United States Of the
North into an arrangement by which
they imagine they will make better
terms than they can now. We are of
opinion there must be something of this
kind in The back ground; and if we look
at home for it, we think we can find it.
II is within the knowledge Of all, that
our Legislative halls last winter, present
ed scene which would disgrace any
country. Instead Of our representa-
tives uniting hand and heart in promo
ting the honor and dignity Of the nation,
in prosecuting the war which was de.
clared by solemn vote to exist be.
tween-us and Mexico, and which did
exist by the overt act Of Mexico in spill.
ling American blood on Ameican soil,
a great portion Of them engaged in put
ing every impeachment in the wsy Of the
President they could, and for mere par
ty purposes invited the enemy to. har.
rass us and proong the war. Instead
Of promptly furnishing the Executive
with men and means to follow up the
we gained at the commence
ment OF hostiIities, and finishing the
the war by coup de main, they wilful-
ly and obstinalely withheld doing so,
and preferred discussing the subject Of
slavery whether it should exist in a
territory which the United States did
not at the time own, and which she pos.
sibly may never own. What humi.
liating spectacle we presented to the
world, and what better encouragement
could we give the enemy than the
speeches which were circulated over
hill and valley in Mexico, and used as
adduced by ourselves to
prove that the war on our part was un.
just and unrighteous! These scenes
and these doings could not but have
moral influence on the bulk
Of the Mexican people, coming from the
source they did.
Again, the course which the whig pa
pers have followed since the adjourn.
ment OF Congress, has had similar in
fiusnce. They have maintained an un-
seasing warfare against the war. All
political clap.trap, written for the ex-
press object Of weakening the dominant
party in the estimation of the people
It home, and of furthering the chances
If the next whig or conservative can
lidate for the presidency, have, we are
confident, had a powerful effect in con
inuing the war. The articles we speak s
# have been copied from time to time 6
nto Mexican papers, and circulated
through the country, with appropriate {
comments. And why should they not? !
What more efficient aid could the Mex.
cans receive than the assurance they |
,ot in this way-that the war was com.
n anoA1 h., Tho Drae:1anx. tbo< - ,,,.. | /,