Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-11-18

of Mexico makes her Judge badly of our peo-
pIe and the folly of many of people has given
that bad judgment force and perseverance.
Let examine dispassionatev the course Of the
administration in reference to this point We do not
mean its military operatons-some may suppose
them to be obnoxious to criticism-but in reference
to the and its progress.
1t seems to US impossible for any sound reasOner,
who will examine the circumstances attending the
voluton of Texas its contamination, the many years
her independence had lasted the acknowledgment of
that independence by so many foreign powers, the
long inactivity of Mexico in any attempt to recover
the country the daily increasing strength of Texas,
to resist the conclusion that Mexico hac ceased to
terrain the hope Of recovering that country that
she did not consider Texas much lost to her she
was herself lost to Old Spain. Annexation diminished
no rational hope, and occasoned loss-these were
gone before, and gone forever. Annexation, then,
did no wrong to Mexico, and, ergo, adequate
cause OF war.
Mexico mistook the motive of legislative oppos-
ton to annexation, and led into serious error the
fatal consequences of which she is experiencing
With some this opposition was sentiment about sla
very with some fears of the effects of extending our
territory and with some because it was the plan of
party they opposed. But, with none this oppo-
sition tinctured with the least anxiety for Mexican
extension, or Mexican rule, Mexican prosperity.
There was no Mexican party in the measure or Mex
mistake. She cannot appreciate the reasoning or
motives of action with our people.
Annexation was consumnated. This being done,
the propriety of taking possession will not, we
presume, be questioned. Doubts existed with
some, as to the western boundary of Texas. We
were willing to negotiate and to pay for the doubt
Our willingness in these respects treated with
contumey; yet forbear, we do not intrude upon
the debaable ground. Texas claimed to the Rio
Grande. Her laws of years standing claimed that
boundary. Peace and that boundary were the condi-
tons OF Santa Annals Liberation. He signed treaty
TO that effect. Texas had become annexed to the
United States. and annexation gave to us the claimed
boundary. The deed of metes and bounds specified
the Rio Grande the western line, and we had
right to those mees and bounds until dspossessed or
elected by better title The opposing claimant re-
fuses to negotiate, and threatens appeal TO arms
We yet forbear and wait. Then, having a prma
acia title in our deed take possession of the metes
and bounds according to our deed; yet we declare
ourselves ready to negotiate. The opposite claimant
rejecting all offers TO negotiate, also enters upon
these metes and bounds and endeavors eject us by
force of arms. In this Mexico fails, and Is herself
elected by force-the means of trying the title 10
which she had appealed. Circumstances now under
60 serious change War exists between the par
ties, yet willing to negotiate but the enemy
will not listen to such a measure. We now exercise
a right of war; We invade the enemy's country; we
take Monterey, Saltlo, all of North Mexico the Cali
fornias, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo Jalapa Perote Pu-
ebla, and finally the city Of Mexico and nearly every
port of notorety on the Gulf and on the Pacifc-al-
ways ready to negotiate-always willing for peace
always offering the olive branch with one hand
while the other really oppressed with its vic
tories and successes Peace be made by
ty. If the enemy will hold out the must continue
The theatre of the may be changed, its plan OF
operations; but peace only be consequence OF
agreement between the contendng parties. 1t is moi
difficult 10 show, under such circumstances. upon
whose shoulders the fault of this protracted should
be cast.
But the folly of our adversary has placed us in the
| attitude Of a conquering nation Could not pro-
gress have been arrested by negotiations for peace be-
fore leaving Corpus Christi Immediately after the
battles the Rio Grande Immediately after the
sormng of Monterey Immediately after the battle
of Buena Vista Immediately after the taking Of
Vera Cruz, and before hostile foot had penetrated
from the coast IN that direction! Immediately after
the battle Of Cerro Gordo OF Churubusco! Or Of
any of those battles the city, and which led its
downfall Has the enemy at any time shown dispo
stion for peace On the contrary has he not continual
ly rejected-ofen in the most Insulting manner-oul
efforts to stop hostties by negotiation Who, then
has occasloned this to be proracted and who has
coerced assume the attitude of a conquerine
people! Not only have efforts to negotiate beer
rejected, but badly informed if British offers tC
Mexico to mediate have not also been twice rejected
There be no doubt that government is anxious
for peace and has most earnestly endeavored to bring
it about. But if the enemy prefers to peace, We
have other alternative than TO let him have h
choice. If nothing short of his humiliation, al
Independent power will satisfy him, then, say, le
him be satisfied We hope at least that no furthe
ovcrtures for peace will be made on our part. If the
enemy desires peace, let him ask for it; and then
without further negotiation. let dictate the terms
upon which alone 1t should be granted.
But in the mean time the war continues. and it:
expenses also continue. Now as the folly of the
envy occasions these expenses, it is but just that he
should be required 10 meet them All his accustomed
revenues of external and internal trade should be
questered for such purposes and also for the purpose
of diminishing his resources. All ornaments ant
military supplies should be seized and destroyed Sc
cured As army and fleet have &c be maintained
by u.s. will deny the proprieiy of keeping then
as actively employed as possible. The persevering
repugnance of the enemy TO peace arise, to on
view of the matter, either from confidence in his
resources-conhdence that he will obtain assisanc,
| from other quarters-or confidence that we shall be
come tired of the war, and allow it TO anguish. Fl
Their view makes it incumbent upon us to seize as ra
pdly as possible upon all commanding positions, AM
to bend the resources of the conquered country 4
/ meet our expenses. These positions must b
held till peace be made, and many of them after tn
peace, guaranty that the peace will be re
spected But if the enemy continues to refuse all OF
fers to negotiate, it to that must continu
u vigorous prosecution of The war, and extend our con
quests over his territory. Self-preservaton, in GU
Judgment requires that Mexico should sue for peace
for we can only her destruction a nation in
prolonged prosecution of the war. No matter wha
party shall come into power, our people would nc
endure disgraceful peace. Peace would be disgrace
ful without full indemnity Mexico can indemnif
only by territory; therefore, any party must exac
, territory from Mexico making peace.