Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-01-16
THE CRISIS.

prises OF the country successful operation.
Real estate was gradually advancing in value, and
the products of labor met with really SALE The
money -market was steady, and credit rested on a
solid basis. There was a general confidence felt
and expressed in the state of things which existed.
All this was attributable to the wise measures
adopted by the Wing party, which came into power
with the Harrison Administration.
But this fair scene, which cheered the hearts
and enlivened the hopes of this great people, was
doomed to sudden reverse. The Baltimore Con-
venon, with its baleful influence, met, and, assn
ming to act for the people, without their instruc-
tons and against their interests, virtually elected
the present Chief Magistrate: citizen who did
not himself aspire to the office, and who, without
the influence of the nomination. could scarcely have
received the vote of any county in the Union. But
this usurpaton Of the popular rights by the Con-
vention did not stop here. The same body de-
creed that the whole of Oregon ours that
Texas should be annexed that the Tariff of 1912
should be overthrown and that the Subtreasury
should be established
Never did body of men in SO short time en-
| tail upon their country system of measures so
| calamitous. And, when we consider the elements
of which that Convention was composed-some
Of its members being irresponsible, others sefap-
pointed, and many of those who had show of
authority receiving it in disregard of popular rights
and Of the principles which they protested to hold
sacred-it is amazing with what tame submission
submission that augured unfavorably for the
of free government-the DEGREES of this body were
received. ......'.
The rights of the People were not only usurped
by imposing upon them Chief Magistrate, but the
Convention bound in party letters this instrument
of its creation and the National Legislature. True
to the behests of that body Mr.. Polk, in assuming
his duties, expressed determination to carry out to
the letter its DEGREES. The Oregon controversy
brought us TO the verge of with England from
which we were saved by the wisdom and firmness of
the Senate. But Texas was annexed, the Tariff was
overthrown, and the Subtreasury enacted. And we
are now realizing the fatal consequences of these
measures.
We have had a war of about eight months with
Mexico. Two brilliant victories in the field against
superior numbers, and the capture of city, strongly
fortified and defended by force much greater than
ours, have added to the renown of our arms. We
claim nominal possession over a great extent of
country, through which General KEARNy has
marched, and which Captain STOCKTON has sur
veyed from his quarterback; but only hold by
forcibe tenure that which has been subjugated by
General TAYLOR. And, to maintain this possession,
our little army is necessarily divided and placed in
garrisons remote from each other, liable to the at
tack Of the enemy. and difficult to be defended.
This is the bright side of the picture Let us turn
to that of darker shade.
The people with whom we are at war are greatly
exasperaed, and their discordant elements have, in
great degree, become united. Their most favored
and experienced captain, by the permission of the
President of the United States, has returned from his
Punishment and now leads its army. Severat thou
sands of our brave citizens have fallen victims of
this war, whose graves the battlefelds of the
9th and 9th of May, at Point Isabel Monterey, on
| the shores of the Rio Grande, on the line of
their return homeward and it is impossible to say
how many now bear within them the seeds OF fatal
diseases in the army, at home, or on their way
| thither.
The Administration to have been as igno-
| rant OF the Mexican character they have shown
| themselves to be of their own powers and Of the
great duties which devolve upon them. They evil
IDENTIFY believed that military array on the Rio
Grande would alarm the Mexican Government and
induce it 10 avoid conflict, by large cession of
| territory; and that this would gorfy the Admins
tration, and give great strength to its party. But,
if this threatening attitude of our army should fail to
intimdate, ii certain that collision would take
place. which would afford an occasion for our troops
to sweep over the country, and, in the course of
few months, to " reve in the halls of the Monte
zumas." And then all Mexico would be annexed,
or at least the terms of peace would be dictated by
the Administration. In thus claiming under their
own measurement, compensation for past denquen-
cies, and indemnity for the expenses Of the war; a
rich harvest OF glory was anticipated. Whatever
may be said on the subject, we are satisfied that
some such visions as those hoaed in the minds Of
the Presiden, and his Cabinet.
But they have experienced a sad reverse in their
hopes. The deah-scene has broken upon them.
1t is said that more men have fallen in this unfor-
tunate and unnecessary war than fell in the late
war with England war which involved our rights
as nation, and in which we exhibited prowess
and acquired a military fame, the land and on
the water, that astonshed the world.
But an eight months war has not only proved
fatal to many thousands Of citizens, but it has
brought our Treasury to the verge of bankruptcy