The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-16
For the Uniol,
The Question Of indie mnlty.

The Question Of ndennity.
The President of the United States, in his last annual
message, declared that the with Mexico had not
been waged with view to conquest" II might be dif-
cut for him prove the truth of this declaration to the
satisfaction of those who interested in denying 1t,
and the more because it clearly forcseen when
the war commenced, that matter with what view or
Intention il might be waged part, conquest, tenn
poray permanent would be the necessary result OF It,
"A meudced political opponent would be exceedingly un-
willing to be convinced that the necessary result of the
war; if desirable in ITSELF and calculated to reflect credit
on the administration was not the motiue of it.
The only mode in which the administration could
PROVE to the satisfaction OF its opponents that the Mex
isan has not been waged with. view to conquest,
would be to proclaim its intention not to hold permanent
any portion of the territory which victory has placed
possession. To proclaim this intention would be
10 proclaim in the same breath, that it did not intend
any indemnity for the expenses OF the war; for
every one knows that Mexico indemnify us in no
on the other way than by cession of territory.
Such disclaimer would no doubt be very satisfacto-
ry to those who would delight in bringing odium upon
the administration even the sacrifice OF the interests
and honor of the country for it would be equivalent
confession that the motives and objects of the
such that the President and his advisers have not the
moral courage insist indemnity for the expenses Of
it, those expenses said to be. II would
be confession before the world that government
been guilty oil Inc ana OlunueT OF engaging III
war SO unjust and aggressive, that of shame de-
tered from exachng indemnity for the loss of blood and
treasure to which the nation had been subjected
though the means of indemnity in its power
Such result OF republican government, waste of the
blood and money of the people, and lasting disgrace TO
their national character would doubtless be highly graft
fyng to the opponents of free government both home
and abroad
The dilemma in which the opponents of the admins
taton would place it is this II it insists indemnify
which can be obtained only in the shape of territory, it
to be accused of having waged the with view
conquest if it does not insist on it, why, then, while
charged with having brought upon the country all the
evils Of war, in as great degree, almost, if sd
versary the most powerful and gallant nation of
Europe must accept sue for peace upon such
terms the whole world justly consrue admission
Of defeat, and confession of wrong doing
The opponents OF the Mexican estimate that the
expenses of il will amount in any event near hun
| bred millions of dollars.
To suppose that the people of the United States will
lamey submit to the total loss of this amount of money
and TO the disgrace OF treaty which would entail such
loss upon them is absurd On the other hand il is hardly
less absurd to suppose that Mexico would be either will
ing able to grant indemnity TO this amount in
money. But few months ago, the Mexican govern
ment issued Decree Circular, calling upon their peo
pie send in exact estimates of all the damage done to
public private property by the troops Of the United
States and declaring that the day not distant when
they should exact full indemnity from government for
all the expenditures and losses TO which they were sub
eeed BY the war 10 recede iron such PreIensons as