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

1
beaten enemy. With what reason then, can II be
apprehended that wing congress will endeavor TO
coerce the present executive Into such course We
nave no fears of it, because do not believe the
wing party Is so stolid as to be a suicide.
But Mexico is now conquered people As an in
dependent nation, 1t may in truth be said that she
holds her existence only OF mercy Yet the war
continues and Its expenses and the question of great
interest 10 is how these last to be reduced
In our judgment, only by exacting great amount
of them as possible from the enemy
| Many distinguished names have been in favor Of
the plan of Withdrawing troops the line
to claim then to fortify and bold that line. We
slider this visionary and weak project. Would il be
peace Does any expect that the enemy which
will not Weld up that line will permit quietly to
hold it Free from all fears elsewhere, the enemy
would bestow his whole attention to that line, and
would make it a scene Of unceasing inquletUde and
bloodshed Could such state of things be allowed
to exist If the enemy approaches that line, must
not his forces be met 7 If routed must he not be
pursued And then invasion beyond the line again
occurs, and active will follow Moreover, pro-
Perly to defend any given line posts m advance are
necessary These posts must then be occupied, or
line can be assumed and held 1t seems absurd
to suppose than enemy who will not yield line of
boundary, will permit that line 10 be quietly held or
hat any consequences would follow such plan than
those OF being obliged again, vast sacrifices of blood
and treasure, to recover the advantages which had
been voluntarily abandoned The enemy now refuses
to give up that line With the sword suspended over
his head, he yet refuses it. What hope then, that
he would submit to its being quietly held, if that
sword were removed! The line of boundary must be
a line of peace. Peace must, therefore, precede
accompany any line.
| Would II lessen expenses Let any one CONVEX
SAINT with these subjects calculate the forces and forts
which such line would require with the of fur
nishing it with requisite supplies and the question
no flrnlf
matter to prove that the would exceed the present
expenses OF the war; and consequence, from varl-
Gus causes, would soon be an active renewal of the
war
| We want boundary we must have boundary
| but 1t must be peace and boundary. Less than
these can never be acceded to. boundary without
peace, is too idle vision for national object 1t
cannot be entertained for a moment but on the sup
position that the enemy would quietly submit. Then
IT would be boundary and peace. boundary and
peace while yet war existed What a singular
superstition
An acceptable boundary and peace are iokat de-
SIRE. These may then be considered The objects Of
the war. as the boundary will doubt be such as 10
cover all claims for indemnity. The boundary which
our government desires is (as well we can under
stand the documents which have been publlshed) the
two CALIFORNIA;. the province of New Mexico, aud
thence the Rio GTande to It's mouth This would
make our southern boundary Of the Gulf Of Cali
fornla, according to existing maps, somewhat north
OF the sd parallel far New Mexico, and about
the 32d the southern boundary of that province
and thence down the Rio Grande to It's source. For
this boundary, 1t appears that willing yield
all claims OF indemnity for the war, all claims for in
ures and indemnities previous the war; and in add-
ton, to pay round sum of several millions of dollars
Now, If any will examine into the history Of
Mexico, he will find that tile country yielded by this
boundary has been of little value Mexico and that
her policy and means not adapted to make il of
much value to her. She is called upon, therefore 10
make but small sacrifice in reference any fiscal
or political advantages which she can derive from the
country 10 be ceded-advanageS far inferior to the
amount of money she would obtain for the cession.
She would PROFESSIONALLY be great gamer by the
arrangement merely reference to moneyed val
ne of the considerations yielded side, but in
reference to the aimpOrtant consideration of nation
al independence, which peace would restore to her.
But she refuses this boundary the war must then
continue until either Mexico the United States
shall yield As to the United States we hope they
will never yield and if the stubborn folly of Mex-
should resolve the question at issue into the exier-
mination of one the other power we hope the Uni
ted States will meet the issue it should be met
Fl As to Mexico, she is already almost a conquered
nation The line to Saltillo controls the north The
people of that quarter quiet and happy under the
existing war; pursuing their various occupations with
out moestation and reapng the advantages Of self
government to degree unknown TO them before.
These people already feel the great benefits Of our
rule in security person and property and in an ex
emptIon from II national demands for either men or
money. All that will be necessary in this quarter,
will be 10 maintain the line and places already con-
quered, by adequate number of disciplined troops,
who will preserve order and quiet, who will protect
the commercial intercourse already established and
who, being "content with their pay" viii abstain
from all irregular marauding.
The line from Vera Cruz to Mexico must exercise
powerful control over all South Mexico. This line,
properly maintained by intermediate posts and pa
trolls with advanced post on the Orzaba and Cor
dova road must effectuay control all South Mexico
In addition to the post and patrol troops the Mon
terey line, effective movable force OF about 5000
; men would probably be required. And, in addition
the post and patrol troops and the line from Vera
Cruz to Mexico. movable force of about 10 900 men
would probably be wanted. These movable bodies
would be ready to any threatened point, OPP
pose any approaching force. to upon any hos
tile district town, put down any resistance and
place either under contribution These lines we al
ready have and in addition, hold every seaport of
notorety the Gulf and Pacific. Therefore, as we
have previously said, Mexico is at this time almost
conquered nation
With these advantages then, we should dictate
terms of peace. and yield single inch of ground
until those terms be complied with in the meantime
requiring the people of Mexico, by every exacion or
sequesraton of revenue, which the laws of nations
and the usages of war will justify, meet our expen-
ses of the
:, But suppose it shall be said, that Mexico will
yet hold out-that she will come TO no terms of peace
: but will continue unceasing war thea we have
only 10 say that must fulfil our destnies If no.
thing short Of reducing the whole of that country to
province of the United States will satisfy that nfat
ated people, they will have TO be satisfied We must
extend our conquests, If ii be for no other pur-