The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-09

minated by a treaty Of pence; that Mexico
still Claimed Texas as q revolted province,
aud that, il we received Texas in our I'm
ion, VIC took along with her the wnr exist
ing between her and Mexico. And the
Minister OF Mexico formally announced to
The Government ut Washington, that his
nation would consider the annexation Of
Texas to the United States MS producing a
state Of war. Bat all this was denied bv
the partzans Of annexation. They insist
cd we should have no war, and even impu-
ted to those who fore.old il sinister motives
for their groundless prediction.
But, notwithstanding a state Of virtual
war necessarily resulted from the fact Of
annexation Of one Of the belligercnts to the
United States, actual hostili,ies might have
been probably avertcd by prudence, mode
raiion, mud wise craftsmanship. lfGcner-
al Taylor had been permitted to remain,
where his own good sense prompted him Ia
believe he ought to remnin, at the point of
Corpus Christi; and, it negotiation had
been opened with Mexico ia true spirit
Of amity and Cancellation, war possibly
might have been prevented. But, instead
OF this pacific and moderate course, whilst
Mr.. SIdcIl WINS bending his way to Mexico
with his diplomatic credentials, Gen. Tay-
lor was ordered to transport, bis cannon, and
70 plant them in war-likc attitude, oppo-
site to Matamoros, on the east bank Of the
Rio Bravo, within the very disputed terri
tory, the adjustment Of which was 10 be the
object Of Mr.. Slidel's mission. What else
could have transpircd but conflict Of
arms?
Thus the war commenced. and the Pros
ident, niaer having produced il, appealed to
Congress. A bill was proposed to raise
$4,000 volunteers, and in order to commit
NIL who should vote for il, preamble was
inserted falsely attributing the commence
ment of the war to tho act Of Mexico. !
hnve no doubt Of the patriotic motives Of
those who, after struggling to divest the
bill Of that fragrant error, found themselves
constrained 10 vote for il. But must shy
that no earthly consideration would have
ever tempted or provoked mo to vote for
bill with q palpnblc falschood stamped on
its face. Almost idolizing truth, rs do,
never, never, could have voted for that hill.
The cxccptionnbIc conduct Of the Fcde-
raj party, during the last British war, has
excited an influence in the prosecution OF
the present war, and prevented just dis
elimination between the two wars. That
was wnr Of National defence, required
for the vindication Of tho National rights
and honor, and demanded by the indignant
voice Of the people. President Madison
himself, know, nj first reluctantly and
with great doubt and hesitation, brought
himself to the conviction that it ought to
be declared. A leading, and perhaps the
most influential member Of his Cabinet,
(Mr. Gallatin,) wns, up to the time Of its
declaration, opposed 10 il. But nothing
could withstand the irresistible force Of
public sentiment. Il was u just war, and
its great object, as announced Mt the time,
was ''Frce Trade end Sailors Rights" a.
gainst tho intolcrnblc aud oppressive acts
Of British power en- tho ocean. The JUS
ticc OF tho war, far from being denied or
controvcrlcd, was admitted by the Federal
party, which only questioned It on consid-
crnlions Of policy. Being deliberately and
constitu.ionaliy declared, il was. think,
their duty to have given TO it their hearty
cooperation. But tho mass Of them did
not They continued to oppose and ihwar,
il, to discourage loans and cnlistments, 10
deny the power Of tho General Govern
ment to march tho militia beyond our lin.
it's, and TO hold Hartford Convention,
which, whatever were its real objects, bore
the aspect Of seeking dissolution Of the
Union ITSELF They lost and Justly lost the
public confidence. But has not M npprc.
hension of n similar fate, in state of case
widely different, reprcssed fearless cx
preston Of their real sentiment in some o.
our public men?
How totally variant is the present war
This is no war Of defence, but one unne
cessary and Of offensive aggiession. Il j.
Mexico that is defending her liresides. hcI
castles and her altars, not VIC. And how
different also is the conduct Of the Whia
party Of tho present day from that Of The
majority Of the Federal party during the
war Of 1912! Far from interpreting an,
obstacles to the prosecution Of the war, i
the Wings in Office IRE reproachablc Mt all
! il 10 Cor having lent too ready faciIi,y t.
il, without careful examination into the
objects Of the war. And, out Of Office, who
have rushed to the prosecution Of tho wal
with moro ardor and alacrity than the
Whigsi Whose hearts have blcd more
freely than those Of the Wings? Who have
moro occasion to mourn the loss Of sons
husbands. brothers, fathers, than Wing par.
ents, Wing wives, and Wing brothers, in
this deadly and Improbable strifci
! But the havoc Of war 10 in progress and
no less deplorable havoc Of nm inhospitable
and pestilential climate. Without indul.