Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-09-15

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question whether the war with Mexico is,
on our part, an offensive or defensive war.
To prove our war defensive war. the
Courier argues and ayers az follows.
Our answer to these questions differs
essentially from that given by the Tribune.
The annexation Of Texas was, beyond all
controversy, the causa causans, Of the ex-
isling war. Mexico had determined in the
most solemn and explicit language which
one nation can use towards another, that
annexation would Je considered equivalent
to declaration of war. We had then,
and we have now, no right 10 suppose
that in that assertion Merico meant ony
thing more or less than she said. The
Tribune at that time, like ali the waig
and many Of the loco(oco papers believed
her declaration, and opposed annexalion as
certain TO involve US in war. Annexation,
nevertheless, was affected and the most
eminent statesmen of this country haze de-
monstratcd the rightfutlness Of This act, so
far as tie couateruaiLing claim of Msrica is
concerned. The argument Of Mr.. Webster
upon that point, in reply to The Mexican
Secretary, NJ. lie Becamesra, seems to US
perfectly unansperable /; certainly, thus Tar
it stands unanswered. Mexico, therefore
chose 10 consider an act Of tie United
States, which they had perfect right to
perform, equivalent 10 declaration OF war;
and upon the performance Of that act, The
Mexican generals were instructed by their
government, as is now known, To prosecute
The war which they assumed the United
Sales, by the act Of annexation, had de-
cared. They accordingly crossed the
Rio Grande, loI las the Tribune intima,es)
in the simple exercise of their ordinary
service, but far The special duty Of Gttack-
ing and dsstrgymg The american army.
They were then met and repulsed by our
troops; and tlie war, thus commenced, was
prosecuted by either parry, 10 the utmost
of its ability, in spite, moreover, Of TO-
newed and earnest pru0crs Of peace upon
our side.
'.WiHtin these limits in our Judgment,
lies the aohoie case. The march 10 lhe
Rio Graude-lhe occupation Of the dispu.
ted terrtory-these aud many similar
questions usually discussed in this connex-
ion, do not touch, in our view, the actual.
cause aud essential character Of the war;,
but only the wisdom aud prudence OF Mr..
Polk aud his advisers
We subjJin, also, from lhe same article,
the following pungent and stinging sarcasm
upon the hasrant self.contradiclion of
those leaders oflhe wbis party who took
good care to preface their Wholesales de-
nonnciations Of the war. by fres..sAeee -. it
| be glad to see some of The whis journals
volunteer an answer 10 this part OF the:
case as put by the Courier: /:
I'VE have set forth these opinions TO q
show that we do not urge or desire the
wings to vole supplies TO prosecute an un-
Just and wicked war. Ifthe great body
Of The ,ohigs in Congress betieus the acar to
be uyust and ,cantonly ,Dicked, they should
huue acted in accordance ,oith this belief at
the outset. They should never haue gir:n
the President the means 9f prosecuting It.
Our troops should at once have been re-
called, aud not allowed first to penetrate to
the heart Of Mexico. The fact thai they
did not act ihus, prores that they dit mol
think thus /: and they did not Mink thus
then, aOhy should they eiuter hink or act SO
now Congress certainly has the po,Uer,
as The Tribune contends, 10 refuse supplies
and thus compel our armies ln do, what all
the power of Mexico cannot force them TO
do-namely 10 evacuale the Mexican ter
rilory. But such action as this would
disgrace us in the eyes oflhe world,which
is a much more serious matter than the
Tribune deems il. while it is not demanded
either by justice, by right, or by the Divine
command. 1t is very likely that The war
may involve additional expense ; but we
mistake greatly the character of the wings
il they seek economy, at the cost repnta.
ton and honor. Merico can restore peace
at any naon,snt she pLeases. From the fall
of Monterey TO the present time, she has
had the election between peace or continued
,gar. She has chosen war; and as lnng as
this remains her choice, she must erpect to
indemnify us for the erpense 10 ,ohich she
subjects US, The war will undoubtedly
result in The acquisition Of additional ter
ri,ory, achich aUiU remain the property Of
the American people Of 1860 or 1850" as
O. fthe present day. Why, then, should
the latter refuse TO bear their proportion Of
whatever may have been its cost ?"
Trade of the Tennessee Riusr.-A cor.
respondent Of the Macon Messenger, wri-
ting from Dalton, urges warmly he prompt
completion Of the Road to the Tennessee
River. He gives number Of facts as 10
the trade Of that region, which there is no
doubt would be largely increased so soon
as an outlet 10 the Atlantic is afforded 10
il. Respecting its influence upon the
revenue Of the road, he says:
ut is estimated that the income of the
) Road the present year will be something
like S75 900, and gentleman who is ia
miiar with The trade Of the Pennesse g
river, informs me that he can prove that
this income will reuch S250,00O the first
year after The Road is completed 10 the
. River, whether al Chattanooga nr any
other point. He has recently been on a
tour through Middle Tennessee, anl has
conversed extensively with the capitalists
there and assnres Ice lhefe will ne no