The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-25

together, and established newgoV eminent 10 winch sne
required the other States conform Texas declared her
Independence and resisted he efforts of Santa Anna TO
ooerce her into submission. Her triumph was complete
AT the memorable battle OF San Jacnto she routed her
invaders captured their Chief and established her tue 10
independence. Having Sustained that independence iof
many years, 1t had been Acknowledged by The most pow
erfu nations Sovereign and Free she asked to be a,l-
mied into Union In anticipation OF The result nn
Mexico threatened war against the United STATES puI
the American people recognised no Just CLAIM on hef par
to control the action OF the government oil lexas or oil
the United States upon this important measure. Texas
was admitted into Union by the almost unanimous
consent of her people As soon as the na achon OF Con
gress was known, Mexico, emboldened, as she no
| doubt then was, BY the expected rupture between
! Great Britain and the United States on the sub
ject of Oregon, determined TO execute her threat
The Mexican minister at Washington demanded ms pass
ports and the American minister who had been dsputed
10 Mexico settle all differences between the TWO
countries was contumeiously rejected Instead OF lis
tening TO overtures for accommodation Mexico prepared
to enforce her claim TO Texasno 10 the Nueces only,
but to the whole territory. She claimed the Sabine as
| her boundary. Her armies were ordered to the Rio
crande and before intelligence could have reached the
Mexican government OF the advance OF our army from
Corpus Christi where they had been on the west side OF
the Nueces since August 1913, orders issued to
the Mexican forces on the Rio Grande to attack the
American troops Texas wherever they could be found
Was the President charged with the defence OF the entire
country passiyely 10 allow Texas, then integral part
of the Union TO be overturned and devastated by ruth
less foe Had he permitted II, he never would have
been false 10 the constitution alse TO Texas, false 10
every OF honor and duty lie would have desery-
ed and would have received, the execraions OF his
counymen. Instead OF conduct so pusllanimous he or
dered the troops al his disposal to epel invasion The
gallant execution of the order resulted IN the splen
did victories of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.
But the order TO General Taylor to advance from
Corpus Christi was Issued on ihe ish 81 ianaars'
ceved at Washington that minister would be rejected
that there hope OF negotiation, and that every
thing indicated an approaching collision OF arms Under
this state of things government would have been JUS
tifed if we had no other causes for hostlites against
Mexico TO have ordered our troops to seek and attack
her armies But the spirit of moderation which has ever
characterized the American governmental her intercourse
with Mexico dictated more iorbearlng course. Our
commanding general ordered TO act the defensive,
and TO proceed only the Rio Grande That river the
southwestern boundary of Texas Ii had been the south
western limit of Louisiana at all tunes until Texas was
coded to Spain 1t has since continued the south
boundary of Texas, and been recognised as such
by all the acts records and proceedings OF that republic
and even by the proclamation OF the Mexican General,
Vol, in June, 1914 But whether IT be the true boun-
dairy not, Texas has into the Union claiming II
as such. Mexico has preferred war to negotiation, and
compelled to maintain by arms Never until attacked
on Texan soil, did the forces of the United States be;
come the assaants The result honorable to the skill
and valor OF troops, is fresh IN the memory, and
grateful to the pride OF every Ame5lcan patriot The
war was forced upon the United mt states and the
gress did not deem it necessary to make decla-
ration of war. They declared by an Overwhelming vote,
that war existed by the act Of erco. Its vigorous pros
ecuon is called for by the people 1t is demanded by
every consideration which address itself to the honor,
the patriotism and wisdom of the nation. 1t will prove
If properly sustained, the present administration will be
able to bring the war TO speedy and honorable ermna
ton Unfortunately, however much has been done since
the commencement OF hostitles to give hope and conf
dence TO the enemy, and 10 parayze the of gov
eminent The spirit OF faction has been at work The
has been denounced unjust and aggressive on the
part of the United States and effort has been spared
to render ii unpopular. But the of the revolution
denounced in the manner, and its heroes and
patriots were brandedas rebels The war OF 1872 was
denounced and denonaed by the factonsts of that day
'Mr. Nladsons war" 1t was declared TO be unrigh-
and unhoy that it did not become righteous and
holy people to rejoice at our victories The present war
with Mexico is called "Mr Folks wars pronounced
TO be unprovoked injurious, and designed Tor conquest
The millions il is to cost the loss of life and health with
which it IS to be attended, and all the inevitable evils OF
war; displayed in bold relief and made fruitful themes
of reproach and lamentaion In spite, however, of
all these eremiads and of all assaults upon the admins
taton more Inspiring Mexico by far than the proc
lamaons OF Santa Anna, trust and believe that the
will terminate gloriousy But to insure this we
must sustain those who will support its prosecution with
vigor which will Mexico into terms that fair
and honorable We desire not to degrade sister repub
l;c Acting the defensive in the commencement,
quest was no object Them nor is now, with the Amer-
government But indemnity for the wrongs have
received and security for the future of peace
should be demanded and obtained
We cannot close address without brief notice of
the proceeding of the Senate of the United States in rela
excitement created by the defeat of the army bill, and
the delay of Congress in providing for the prosecution of
the war; communication, the signature of "Vndi
"Union." The writer denounced the course of those
who he charged had defended with ability and zeal 'the
cause of Mexico the floor of Congress He adverted,
in indignant terms to the proceedings OF the legislatures
of Massachusetts, and North Carolina in whose halls of
legislation, he asserted, "the Mexican had tri-
umphed." He commented with severity on the course
of the Senate in regard to the army bill, and pro-
nounced the defeat of that important "anoth
| or Mexican victory" The language, though OBJ
viousy fguratve, highly offensive to the Sc
nate They deemed it necessary to descend from
their elevated position awgvers for mighty nation
to vndcae their character patriots They pronounced
the anonymous publication 'public libel the char
acte of the Senate, and expelled the editor OF the Union
from the privileged seats in their chamber for permit
ting through the medium of his press the free expression
of individual opinion their public conduct They
sought vndcate the character and dignity OF their body
by degrading the editor, and by holding him up in all
time to come memorable example for the inmida-
situated Yet the people told that this is no infringe
ment OF the freedom of the press because the editor OF
the "Union is as free ever to publish whatever
he pleases. But, would the editor of the Unon, if al
lowed similar privilege, consider the liberty OF the press
to be untrammellel while expulsion from the Senate
ment of the liberty of the offender, because he may
peat the offence, if willing to incur its penalties The
sedton law itself equally defensibe on such
grounds Unlike the resolution of expulsion, which was
post dcto in its effect, for underlined offence and al
forded the accused opportunity for defence, the
penalty and secured trial TO the accused. Would the
defenders of the vote of expulsion contend that the sed
ton law abridgement of the freedom OF the press
because the vioators OF that law had the option to obey
it to incur its penalties 1t has always been under
stood that penalties inflicted not so much for ven
the object of the Senate, it could have other ef
than the liberty of the III