The national whig., 1847-06-14
NATIONAL WHlG.
SKETCHES FOR THE PUBLIC.
WAsHISGros. June IA, l847.
No. /.

prove TO be of some interest to the readers OF
the same.
The Wing parry and us great ca'dina
principles will be fearlessly maintained when
ever defence is deemed necessary But ih'
principal aim in these sketches will BE- 10 show
up and show off, in clear and truthful light
the principles and conduct Of The present Ad
feIeut pats Of The country.
The war with Mexico is Mr.. Folks war;
He willed it--he ordered it--he brought II on.
by directing our army 10 march 10 the RIO
Grande, opposite Malamoros This he did
without deigning 10 consult Congress Che only
war-making power under the Constitution, and
then in SESSION. in the matter Justly charge
able to him, then. ere all the horrors and all
the expenses of the war
What did he bring on this war for2 What
else, but 10 make the people rally around his
Administration, and by force Of circumstances
compel his nomination against his declara-
Mons and his will, Of course for retleclion
Madison, in time OF war, was re elected, and
why might not MI FOLK De
The war itself would NOT be very great
affair! A fash Of the bugle along the valley
OF the Mississippi would call forth few thou
sand brave fellows, who would quickly and
gladly. march straight 10 the " Halls Of The
Moniezumas," conquerlng all before them
Ii is currently reported that Judge Shields, be
fore he was appointed Brigadier General. de
clsred in the Presidents House that with FIVE
hundred good men he could march through
Mexico with impuni,y! Ia severe experience
he has found his mistake.
Mr.. Polk has found that he, too, has been
most sadly deceived. The war, which was so
soon to be gone through with, was nj only 10
make him popular and secure his reelection,
ia spite Of his disinterested proclamations and
ASPIRATIONS in fapOr Of the repose Of pripte life,
but was 10 add California and New Mexico 10
The United States Hence the sending Of Com
modores Sloat and Stockton and Gen. Kearny
out 10 those regions, with their proclamation>
annexng California and New Mexico and
their inhabitants 10 the United States And
be received by The Mexican Government as a
full minister Every thing was TO be done as
Mr.. Polk wished!
But the war commenced in consequence OF
The march of our troops TO the left bank Of tht
Rio Grande! Il was soon perceived that the
war would be a matter Of no ehiid's play, bu'
long, bloody, and an expensive war. Wha
then did MI. Polk do? Aye, wha,2 though
struck him, or was put into h . head by Mr.
John Slidel, that by an intrigue with lhe mis-
creant Santa Anna, Then in hanshulent witt
his snite Of Generals at Havana, witt, brib,
of two millions of dollars, he could gel the ban
ished ex-President Of Mexico. with his suite
of Generals, back into his native country, and
through him obtain peace and the coveted
California and New Mexico! He asked Con.
qress for the two millions, without informing
that body exactly what he designed doing with
so much money. Congress refused 10 let him
have the two millions. Nevertheless, john
Slidelps brother, Captain Shdell .Mackenzie,
was posted of TO Havana, where il is said b.
dressed himself in full uniform, and paid di
plomatlc visit 10 Santa Ana, after which he
sailed for Mexico, and paid visit 10 Commo
dore Conner and General Tay lor. At all events
pass was granted 10 Santa Ana and suite 10
go through our blockade into Vera Cruz, that
they might soon be al the head of the Mexican
army, reinforced and invigorated by this pow
erful acquisition to give battle TO Gen. Taylo
command at Buena Vista, and 10 Gen. Scotl's
command at Sierra Gordo, as well as at other
points We, 10 be learned And now how stands
The war2 What has been its cost TO us OF III,
United States In blood and in treasure Who
IS not sick or ashamed Of il? Who can Tel
when and how il is to end, and what will be
its ultimate cost?
The advocates Of Mr.. Pok's conduct wish
10 make il appear that General Taylor recom>
mended The marching Of the army 10 The Rio
Grande, and therefore is as much as Mr. Polk.
The cause Of the war But in proving this BY
citing General Taylor's letter, they convicl
themselves Of an untru,h. General Taylor is
well known 10 have been opposed TO our claim
Of the Rio Grande for a boundary. But he
was acting under the orders OF the Admins
,ralion, and he wrote to the War Department
that If the Government intended TO make iht
line Of the Rio Grande lis alt,matnIa then he
thought the best step would be TO march lhe
army TO the left bank Of that river How dif-
ferent is this from recommendation, without
qualification, thai The army be marched to tha,