Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-07-29
The Journal vs.. Gen. Taylor.

The Journal wants peace with Mexico "rithOut
any Of her territory" 1t thinks it would be rascally
to take foot of California northern Mexico, even in
payment of the debts owed to our citizens, and which
she may be willing to renquish for that purpose 1t
knows that the territory in question would necessar
ly be free and for that its acquisition would
be unfavorabe to the designs of the Calhoun division
of the whig party. And extremes meeting, IL would
thus give laid and comfort to both Calhoun and Cor
win. who advocate the policy for totally opposite
reasons. But how the Journal justify its
on this subject with the position of Gen. Taylor as
developed in his famous letter to Gen. Gaines! Has
the Journal forgotten that position! 1t would so
seem, or it would not be guilty of the weakness of
advocating directly opposite to that recom-
mended by its candidate for the Presidency. We will
refresh its memory by copying extract from the
Gaines letter. in which Gen. Taylor wrote as follows
upon the subject in question:
at to me- the udcious course to be pursued
part, I0OHd be to take possession once of e
line could accept by negotiation, extending from the
Gulf Of Mexico to the Pacific, and occupy the same
keep what have already possession of and that, with
Tsmpico, (Which hope to take In the of
month, or soon as can get the means of traLsporta
ton) will give all this side of the Sierra Madre
and occupy Saltilo, will include
Provinces thus holding Tampico, Victoria, Mon
terey, SalillO MOnclOya, Chihuahua, (which | presume
Gen. Wool has possession of by this ne) Fe and
the CahfoInias and say Mexico, Drive Us from the
country hrOwiug her the responsibility and the ex
pense of carrying offensive war.-st the same time
closely bockadng all her ports the Pacific and the
Gulf of this kind If persevered in for a short
time would bring her to her proper senses and
pei her TO sue for peace"
Under this recommendation Of Gen. Taylor, slice
of Mexico sufficient for 'a practical purposes" could
be AIKEN and held and the consent of Mexico to its
REIMBURSEMENT could be enforced by the sword This
course. he thought would soon bring Mexico "to her
proper senses"
Now what has the Journal to say to this recon-
mendaton, this proposition of conquest" Will it
condemn in him what it has condemned in others |!
1t has not the chance of relieving itself or him from
the responsibility of the suggestion, it has done in
other Matters by charging that she acted under or
ders" and therefore was not responsible for state
mens and acts which it charged to be false aud un-
lawful and wrong in every respect,-as though any
man, in such case. could be justified in a wrong
and unlawful course, by such wretched plea. The
recommendation was voluntarily and deliberately
made by Gen. Taylor. his own responsibility
Nobody "ordered him to make it, but he did it of
his voltion. Now should like to have the
Journal put Gen. I. in the category of others con-
demned by itself and Tom Corwin; or else crawfsh
out Of its unpatriotlc position the best way it can
is matter of indifference to Us which course it pur
sues.