The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-21

Sucy euNutu Icpuisc tue tuCiIiNS thc nun
bers stationed nj any one post, might still
be too small 10 pursue him. Ii the enemy
bo repulscd in one attempt he will have
nothing else to do but to retreat 10 his own
side Of the line, and, being in no fear of a
pursuing army, may reinforce himself a,
leisure for another attack on tho samc or
some other point. lie may, too cross q
line between our pos,s--make incursions
into the country We hold-mnrdcr the in.
habitanis thereof, md then return 10 the
interior, before sufficient force can be con.
centratcd to pursue him. Sach would
probably be the hnrrassing character OF u
mere defensive war on our part. II our
forces, " hen attacked or tire a,cneI, hc
permitted TO cross the line, drive back the
enemy md conquer him, this would be
again TO invade the country after having
lost all the advantages Of the conquest We
already made, by having voluntarily aban-
doned them. To hold such line success.
fully, nnd in security, j, is MS (ir from being
certain that il would not require as large
an army rs would be necessary TO hold all
the conquest we have already made, aud
10 continue the prosecution of the war in
the heart of the cnemy's country. !, is nj
so far from being certain that tho expenses
Of the war would lie diminished by such
policy.
| am persuaded that the best means Of
vindicalns the national honor and intcres,
aud bringing the war to mn honorable close
will be 10 prosecute il with increased energy
and power in the vital par, Of the cncms's
country. In my annual message 10. Con
grcss, declared that the war had not only
been waged with view to obtain an hon
orable peace, and thereby secure an ample
indemnity for the expenses Of the war, ns
10 our much injured citizens who hold large
pecuniary demands against Mexico. Such
in my judgment, continues TO be our true
policy--indced the only policy which will
probably secure permanent peace.
II has never been contemplated. by me
as an object Of the war, 10 make per,na-
nent conqnes, Of the Republic of Mexico,
or 10 annIhlate her separate existence ms III
independent nation; on the contrary, il has
ever been my desire TINT she should main
tain her nationality, nna under a good gov
crnment, adapted to her condition, lie i
prosperous and free country. The L. s..
were the first among the nations to rccog.
Eize her independence, aud have always dc.
sired 10 lie on terms OF ENTITY and good
ncighhorhood with her. This she would
not suffer. Ey her own conduct We have
been compelled In engage ii. The prcsen,
war-in,o lis prosecution, VIC seek MT her
overthrow us n ua;iun, but in sindica,inr
Gus national homer, we seek 10 obtain re
dress for the wrongs she has done rs, and
indemnity TOR our Just dcnand- ug inst her.
We demand On honorable peace, aud that
peace must bring with il indemnity inr the
past, and security for the iu,arc. lliiher-
10, Mexico has refused all accommodation
by which such peace could hc obtained.
Whilst our armies hasc advanced from
the commencement of the war, il has al
ways been with tho olive branch OF peace
in their hands, and i, has been in tho pow
er OF Mexico at every step 10 arrest hos,i!-
ties by accepting il.
One great objection 10 the obtainmen,
ofpcace, has undoubtedly arisen from the
fact, that Mexico has been SO long held in
the subsection b. cue faction. or mlIitar,
usurper, after another, aud such has been
the condition OF insecurity in which their
successive governments have been placed,
that each has been deferred from making
peace, lest tor this very cause, u rival fac.
tion might expo! ii from power.
Such was the fate oi President lIcrrera's
administration in lSiJ, for being disposed
even 10 listen to the oycrtnrcs OF the L. -,
TO prevent the war, us is fully confirmed b,
on official correspondence which tool. place
in the month Of Angus, last, between him
and his government, the copy OF which is
herewith communicated. For tais cause
nlonc, the revolution, which displaced him
from power, was sci On foot by Gen, Para
des. Such may be the condition ii nsecu.
riiy OF the present government.
There can he no doubt. that the peacea-
ble aud well disposed inh,l,,lsu,s oi McA.-
CD, arc convinced iiiat i, Is the true in,c-
rest OF their country Ia conclude an honor
able peace with the L. =. Lul the apprehen-
sion ot becoming the victims 81 sn,nc l.liiis.-
~ faction Or ursurper, nlas have pre-, cnted
them from inaGii.sllng their feelings b. a.
ny public net.
The removal Of any such apprehension
would probably cause them Ia speak their
sentiments, and To adopt the measures nee
essary Tor the restoration ot pence with q
people distracted ani divided by contend.
ing factions, and government subject 10
constant changes by successive revolutions.
Ths continued successes oil our arms may
fail TO secure a satisfactory peace. In such
event, it may become proper Tor our CON-
,nanding generals in the field TO give en-
enlargement and assurance Of protection
20 the friends of peace in Mexico, in the