Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-08-20
THE ENQUIRER.
RICH MOND, VA.
Wednesday Morning, August ls, ls47.
WHAT WILL THE WINGS DO?

We HdfS oldteu III d iOIIntI HunlUeI, lnc Soi
diicn of The country al the present moment. an
We enauired, What will the Wings do, if they o.
tain the power to do all that the most violent
the party can desire? We Today proceed vii
the enquiry. The answer is furnished TO oil
hand by The representative of the MetIopolila
district Of Virginia, and every Wing Editor sing
hosannahs 10 the oracular response. TIL;
answer is, that our Government ought 10 "d
claim promptly all purpose and intention to TAX
one foot Of Mexican soil, on any terms, either b
conquest or negotiation; to ascertain the tru
| boundary line OF the beautiful but most unlol
tunate Texas withdraw our troops TO that lin
and defend il if assailed (Which would never b
attempted and thus bring The war 10 speed
and honorable termination; for, il it be true, a
assumed, that the war was originally one Of as
gression on The part Of Mexico, and of defence
on our part, why should its character ever hav,
been changed? Or why, since they have been suffi
ciently punished for their aggression, should W.
not fall back TO our original posiIon7 Surely
neither The honor of the nation nor The glory o
our arms calls Tor The prosecution OF an offensive
war;"
Then, in the frs; place, we are to 'disclaim
promptly all purpose and intention 10 take one
foot OF Mexican soil on any terms, either BY con-
quest or negotiation" Ii we were taking the in.
itative in the war; had not yet advanced foot
beyond our own soil, the President might is
sue Proclamation 10 the world, discaiming any
opnhr hut ~ do, han
are in actual possession oil an immense portion Of
the Mexican territory, 10 say tina, we will neither
acquire il BY conquest nor negotiation, would be
directly in conflict with The actual STATE OF The
facts. But suppose. for the sake OF argument, we
were 10 issue the proclamation disclaiming such
intention, and protesting an ardent desire TO ne
go,ia,e terms Of peace-What terms would be
asked2 Suppose Mexico should refuse, as she
has over and over again refused 10 negotiate on
any ,erms-should refuse TO receive any minister
point any asen, or commissioner OF her own
should declare that any attempt by any person TO
make peace with the Unilet States should be
considered treason against the Mexican Govern
then? Suppose that she consents
10 treat, and We cannot agree upon the terms
and that as we yield in our demands, she rises in
hers Is The least spark OF national pride and
national honor gone? Will you give up even
the claims she has heretofore acknowledged g.
w i'll you let her have her own way, and meany
succumb in the face oi the world 10 any AFRO
yance, insult or wropg2 There are two sides TO
every contract II she will not agree, how will
iou force herr You proclaim beforehand, thai
,ou will not injure her by acquiring her territory
either 10y conquest or negotiation. She tells you
hat she is indebted TO you, that she has no mo-
ney 10 pay with. She offers you territory for
which she has no use, which might he invaluable
o you, and you reject her offers with disdain.-
She ieiis ynn th,t che Gao da nothing more: what
VIII yen do tnena
Bu, we are told lha, it is on.duty ITO ascertain
he true boundary line Of the beautiful bu! most
Unfortunate Texas Withdraw our troops 10 that
inc, and defend it, il assailed, (Which vii! never
,e attempted, } and thus bring The war TO speedy
md honorable termination" Now, this is the
precise matter in dispute between the lwo ma
ions. Texas claims that her boundary extends
q The Rio Gfande-she has so declared it in her
Mexico denies it, and claims that
her boundary extends TO the Nueces; and her
generals 60 so lar as to claim TO The SABINE
You send minister 10 treat with her about TINS
boundary. She refuses 10 receive him or 10 lis
ten TO your oveltures. Since she will mol hear
you, You send your troops 10 the Rio Grande TO
pro,ec, Texas in her claim, and maintain what
YOU believe 10 be right. Mexico attacks your
troops, and her army is forced to ny; you pursue,
and follow up your blows thick and heavy, and
a, every blow you offer TO treat with her about
eyery matter in dispute. She refuses to cry
10 trea.-refuses 10 ascertain
The boundary-and the Representative oil the
Metropolitan District being called upon 10
know what The Wings will 90 under such
circumstances, gravely tells us he would flrs'
and ioremos, ascertain the true boundary
line oil The beautiful but most unfortunate Tex
a.. -" How ascertain ii ! BY what process -
He would then "wilhdraw our troops TO that line,
and defend it, if assailed, (Which would never be
a,,emp,ed) and thus bring The war to speedy
and honorable termination" Now, il is TO be
borne in mind, tina, "every Stale in Mexico, eve
~ town, every political division OF every kind,
every individual in fact, seems 10 be fighting on
its or his own hook" according 10 the Richmond
Wing. As soon an the withdrawal is attempted
as il is 10 be to 1.-THE tune OF Bonaparle's Re-
treat from Moscow"-the dogs OF war oil Mexl-
co will be let slip upon The "hounds" OF The on''
ted States, running and yelping with tails between
their legs and sneaking with the weight OF mean
ness hanging around their necks. Are they &c
stand and fight like men in righteous cause, oil
are they 10 knock the flnls from their flre-locSs
and return their bayone,s TO their scabbards, and
beg for quarter at every lurn3 II they do hsh'
and conquer their enemy, what lhen3 Mus
,hey release them and allow them 10 commence
their attacks again7 Must they continue lhei
retreat? Withdraw at all hazards 10 that ascer
tanned line, no matter how ascertained, and "de
tend il, fassailed (Which would never be attempt
ed and thus bring the war 10 speedy and homo
rable termination 2" How do you prove that j
will never be attempted five arsne from wha
has been TO what may be again, We should con
clude directly The reverse. Suppose, by possibi
luy, that it should be assailed, and you defend II
how do you arrive at The conclusion that yo'
will "thus bring the war 10 speedy and no
norable termination I" You attack me
defend myself. We are in state OF hostility
You attack again. defend again. Are we
peace2 Instead OF Furnishing you tor yonr as
sa ul,s mus, stand still and merely ward on you
blows as often as you choose 10 infici them, an
when and where you please. What do you sal
BY the defensive war7 After you have with
drawn your troops 10 your ascerained boundar
and have resolved that there is no reason VIII
the defensive character OF The war should eve
have been changed, suppose your enemy choose
moi 10 make his attack precisely al The point
which you have Withdrawn your troops, b.
seeks 10 assail you at the weakest points and
times when you are least prepared-What wi
you do then f-You complain that The expense
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