Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1847-07-17
"oUR MEXICAN RELATIONS"

We have on a previous occasion (June 2G,)
published an article from the LondOn Times
the subject of "the Mexican War" as that paper
termed ii; and here follows another article from
the same paper The features Of our hostile re-
publican ncighbors, especially as contrasted with
their monarchic ancestors, are very graphically
drawn, that it places the victorious party con
spicuous it appears in the foreground, in rath-
er an humiliating position, when the reflection
occurs that it has had to contend with such foe.
The closing remarks ofthe Editor are not unwor
thy of serious attention; and the spirit in which
they were dictated toward our countrymen, ap-
pears to have been kind one.
The Merican Wharf.-The conquest Of Mexico
is a familiar story, even to our childhood. The
CITY of gold, of idols, and of human hecatomhs,
the reckless Cortes, the unfortunate Montezuma,
and rich and popuous empire overthrown by
handful of foreign adventurcrs, excite by turns
the wonder, the admiration, the sympathy, and
the ambition of our nature. II will sometimes
occur. Would that we had lived in those days!
How did the world receive the successive reports
of those incredible cvents!" We can scarcely eX-
pand our minds TO the breadth of expectation
which the discovery and the conquest of a new
world must have universally raised. Perhaps,
however many who have INDUCED in these re-
hectDns are entirely unaware that after three
centuries that history, to wonderful coincidence,
is acted over again. At this moment the very
path of Cures is trodden 10y men who, II they
present some strange contrasts, not less heroic
not less confident in the nalIbe fortune of their
cause, than tie famed COnQuestGdOr The fl g
of rcpubIcanism supplies the place OF the cross
whose reign the Spanish cavarlcs chose to believe
themselves divinrly commissioned to enlarge
The prevailing destiny of the Union is an article
of faith across the Atlantic. and one for which
many a citztn would rcoice TO be martyr
such is the spirit and such are the men who are
making their way with only a shadow of opposl-
ton from Vera Cruz TO Mexico. Such is the enter
prise of which every three or four days now bring
US fresh tidngs.
Hitherto the Mexicans have represented rather
the ancient natives of their country than the con-
querors fom whom they are really descended.
On their side it has been all defiance, obstnacy,
and rashness. The notes of preparation have
been loud, and the threats sanguinary At the
moment when these promises should be realised
the bubble seems TO burst. After the stand at
Monterey there has scarcely been anywhere re-
sstance worthy OF an independent nation. The
imprrenable ST. Juan d'Ulloa was no sooner
known 10 be invested than tidings of its capture
arrived. Even where courage was not wanting.
Mexico could not give it the means of resistance.
Since that, every fresh occasion has proved both
the incapacity OF the State and the degeneracy
of its chiefs. The battles of Buena Vista and
Cerro Gordo have proved, that whatever the num-
bers, there is not the strength nor the morale in
the Mexican Republic TO maintain an effectual
war of defence. City after city-Tampico, 1us-
pan, Matamoras, Monterey, Vera Cruz, and last
of all Jaapa-are in the quiet occupation OF the
enemy.
AS for the Mexicans, one Is almost tempted to
ask by what accident of birth or circumstances
they exhibit grotesque character in so serious
drama. Last year they were standing out for
empire and for honor. This year they fight for
nationality and independence. But how they
now meeting an occasion which usually brings
out all the powers and all the virtues of man!
Pomposty and weakness, turbulence and cowar-
Dice are the chief varieties of the scene. Armies
disappear with a suddenness and completeness
which make it doubtful whether they ever existed,
eycept in the bombast of manitestos.-Tbe Com
mander- in-Chlef is u man whose only power
seems to he that OF raising expectations which he
is the last fulfil. Himself deceiver, he Is de-
celved in return. The State which chose him for
lack of better does not really trust him. While
the war RACES in the frontiers and shores, and
penetrates into the Provinces over the outer circle
of those vast natural barriers that surround the
capital that city is divided. harrassed, and weak
ent d by civil s,rfe.-Battles and revolutions. the
presence Of an invading army, and the conflict of
domestic factions, are too much for any nation. |
Mexico bids fair TO exhibit one OF those tremend.
Gus catasrophes which stand out horribly distinct
in the annals of human calamity Santa Ana and
his colleagues not men to be deferred by any
consideration of social consequences. His pre-
sent object seems akin to that of the desperate
who blows up his stronghold as the assaiants
enter. He wishes to involve the conqueror and
the conquered In common ruin. The procla- |
nation of guerilla warfare, giving authority to |
every score OF rufans to concert their plans,
to make their own attacks, to compel the cooper.
alton of the unwilling, to murder oil the Ameri- !