The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-06-18

HEiDQUARrtus or ruE ARMr,
JaldI a, May II. !
LL Col. Ill. Volunteers, CON

tH S'He> ~ Il HtTicH 70 tHt M L'cHH Ndf0H.
Mexicans ! The recent events of the
war, and the measures adopted in con'e.
quence by your government, make it my
duty 10 address you-to show you truths
Of which you are ignorant, because they
have been crlmlnallv conceded from you.
| do not ask you to Irus my words, Ohio
he who has never falsiied them, has
right to confdence,) but to Judge of these
truths BY facts within the view and la ~
edge Of you all.
Whatever may have been the origin Of
this war, which my country saw itself
forced to undertake by irremediable caus.
es, which learn ATE unknown TO the
greater part of the Mexican nation, we re-
gard ii as a necessity; such is it always
To both beIigercnls, and reason and JUS
tire, If not forgotten on both sides, are in
dispute each believing them lis own
You have proof If this truth as well as
ourselves, for In Mexico. as in the United
States. there have existed and do exist
two opposite parties, desiTing-lhe one
peace, the other war.
Blu! governments have sacred duties,
from which they cannot depart and of.
ten these duties impose. for national rea-
sons. a silence and reserve some ines dis
pleasing to the majority Of those who,
from views purely personal or individual.
make opposition. To this government
canno! pay any regard, expecting the na.
ZION TO place 1t in The confidence merIied
by The magisUacy of their own election
Here follows a brief recapi,ualion Of
the attempts to negotiate, previous to the
war
We were deceived, as perhaps you,
Mexicans, were also deceived, in Judging
the true Intentions of Gen. Snnia Anna,
whom you recalled, and whom our gov.
eramenl permitted To return. From thi,
condition Of this The Mexican nation has
seen what has been the resuIIs--resuls
lamented by all, and BY US sincerely, for
we appreciate as is due the valor and no.
bic determination Of the un(orlunates who
90 to battle iil-led, worse governed and
almost invariably outraged by deceit or
perlidy. We have seen-and we can.
not be taxed with partaIIly for lamen,ing
with asIonlshment that the heroic de-
pertinent Of the garrison of Vera Cruz,
in lis defence, was aspersed by The gen.
eral who hal just been defeated and put
to shameful flight by force Gar inferior
10 that which he commanded at Buena
Vista that this general, rewarding the
insurgents and promoters of civil war in
Mexico, heaped outrage on those who
had sipgularly distinguished themselves
! by resistance beyond wha, could be en-
pected, and of admirable decision.
Finally, the bloody event Of Cerro
Gordo has shown the Mexican nation
what 1t may reasonably expect if ii longer
continues blind to the true situation in
which it has been placed by some gener.
ais, whom i, has most distinguished and
in whom ii has most conideG.
fhe hardcs, hear, would be moved tC
grief in contemplating the bate.he il
Mexico a moment after the last struggle
These generals whom the nation has
without service rendered, paid for so ma
ny years, with some honorable excep
ions. have in the day of need belraye,
il by their bad example or unskillulness
On that field, among the dead and DIS ing
are seen no proofs of military honor, io
they are red ICED to the sad fate Of til,
s,ldier-lhe same on every occasion, from
Pslo Alto TO Csrro Gordo--the dead /,
remain unburIed and the wounded aban
doned TO the clemency and charity of tn
conqueror. Soldiers who go 10 fight, ex
pecling such a recompense, deserve to b.
classed among the hest in the world
since they are stimulated by no hope o
ephemerdl glory. Of regret, Of remem
brance, or even Of a grave.
Again, Meyicans Of honorable pride
contemplate the lot Of peaceful and labo
rious citizens in all classes Of your socie
ly. The possessions Of The Church me
naced and held out as an Increment I
, revolution and anarchy the fortune Q
the rich proprle,ors pointed out for plum
der to the ill.dlsposed I; the merchan, an
L 0 artisan, the laborer aud the manufaC
turer, brrdened with contributions, eX
cises, monopolies, taxes upon consumr
. ton, surrounded with restrictions an
, charged with odous internal customs
p the man of letters and the statesman, til
. man OF liberal knowledge, who dares I
speak, prosecuted without trial by SON
, faction or by the tulers who abdse the
power; criminals unpunlshed and Sc,
(. liberty, as were those of Perole--is thi'
p then, Mexicans, The liberty which 20
p. enjoy,
4 will no, believe that the Meyicans
/. the presen, day are wanting in coural
h TO confess errors which do not dishon'
u them and TO adopta y',em Of trno lhe
2 " ol peacs and union with their btclhrt
. and neghbors OF The north neither vi
= | believe tina, they are ignorant OF II
d. ! rt-.... = A.. ~.l..o 20 ac tbo nVasa II