The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-05-17
THINGs IN WAsHINGToN.


bIe-Reasons therefor Change in the chmac-
ter Of the icar--S equestration Of Church pro-
| perfy-Reasons therefor Political c0nsidera
lions for keeping up the par-- General Taylor
to bekepf IN the field If possible.
The consultations Of the President and his
Cabinet since the battle of Cerro Gordo have
been upon matters deeply affecting the present
and future interests Of our country.
Il has been decided among others things to
send large force of U. S. Marines under the
command Of Gen. Henderson TO accompany
the party of Engineers ordered TO explore
the Isthumus of Tehuantepec. This force
when all are assembled at the mouth Of the
Huasacualco river will not number less than
1000 men. II is this expedition which was
Swallowed forth in the recent accounts from
Commodore Perry. All the marines on shore
have been ordered TO the Home Squadron in
the Gulf forthwith. where the organization
williake place. This force is large enough en-
sure perfect safety to the exploring party, for
the enemy We're he disposed cannot offer any Sc
rious resistance in the section Of country pro-
posed 10 be explored, owing to the want OF
men, and there is no apprehension Of any
great trouble from the population itself as il is
very sparse and composed chiefly of Indians.
The question Of calling an Extra Session has
been debated with a good deal of acerbily by
the President and his Cabinet, and is not yet
decided. Things may take such turn in the
further progress Of the war as 10 make il abso-
lutely necessary to issue the proclamation for
an Extra Session. Il is the apprehension of
such state Of things that prompts the Presi-
dent and one or two Of his Cabinet to take time
by the forelock. but there is difference of opn-
ion among the rest Of his council. The Presi-
den, sees very clearly tha, the next Congress
will be against him, if the elections take place at
their appointed time, and hence he is disposed
to pfecipitate the elections with hope Of car
rying the House. But apart from this consid
Grafton there is another which weighs like an
incubus upon the Administration, and, that is,
the impossibility Of making peace with the
enemy. The whole Administration is convinced
Of this fact, but while The President would
seek to make the next Congress the scape-goa,
Of the further prosecution Of the war, and
would call Congress together for that principal
purpose, the Cabinet think that il will be time
enough 10 carry into effect this policy next
December, and hence oppose an Extra SEES
sion.
Orders have been sent TO General Scott and
to General Taylor 10 change the whole charac-
ter OF the war, if the Mexicans shall persist 10
refusing to make peace. They are 10 seques-
trate the Church properly Of Mexico and TO
wage the war upon oil classes without disiinc-
ton. They are to destroy all public property,
which. by being recap,ured or abandoned, may
be used against US again. In fine, the war is
to be one of conquest Of territory, not Of peace.
The considerations which have led TO the adop.
ton Of this policy by the Administration arise
out Of the condition Of things. Il has been
forced upon the Administration by the obstina-
Icy Of the enemy. Il is argued, and with no
small degree Of plausibility, that the war must
be made popular at home, which can only be
done by making it war Of conquest Of terrific
ry and the treasures Of the enemy. Peace is
denied by the Mexicans on any conditions 10
which we can submit, and it follows as mat
ter of course that we must conquer, occupy,
and make the enemy pay the cost by seizing
upon all private and corporate property, in
GLIDING the property Of the Church, which is
valued at l5O, 900 900 Of dollars.
But independently Of the action of the enc
my in forcing US to change the character Of the
war, there are political considerations al home
in favor Of keeping up the war until after the
next Presidential contest. The party in power
do not intend TO surrender the administration OF
the Government without a terrible struggle. il
is now the disbursement Of fifty millions
year, which makes the administration so de-
sirable to politicians. As prominent MEM
Der Of the administration said day or two
ago--if the party in power are turned out, il
will not be for the want Of trying to keep in.
Hence, il is desired to keep up the war till al
ter 1913, SO as to seize upon every turn in
public opinion which may benefit the Admins
is,ration. Besides, war itself is powerful
disturbing force, and the Administration hopes
u avail ItSeH Vi ~ dS al SleulcHi VI SuCCeSS III
its own aspirations. AT all events, the dis
bursement of a war budget is mighty engine
of corruption, and the party in power desire
to have the advantage of it in the ensuing con-
test. In addition to these considerations, the
appearance of General Taylor in the Presiden-
tial field, called thither against his will by a
grateful and admiring People, has created a
terror in the ranks Of the Administration which
| almost drives them TO madness To do some.