The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-15
WASHINGTON, March Z, lS47.

WASHINGTON, March I, 1S47
The Itosnty-Ninth Congress-Ihe Merican War.
In tracing to their first causes the various polt-
cal results that present themselves to notice in the
history Of the Twenty Ninth Congress, will find
it necessary to mention in connection with them
names deservedy high in the worlds esteem.
Need / say such mention will be made in all cour-
tesy? and because, to be silent regarding such men
as Mr.. Calhoun, Mr.. Benton, Mr. Cass, and
others, would be TO omit an important portion OF
the history of the period l treat of. I have no 20.
litical luminosity or partiality to crafty. My OBJ
ject is to speak the truth impartialy
| have said the Mexican war will be regarded
by posterity as the great event Of the Twenty
Ninth Congress. Men will be apt to enquire why
the recognition of the war was opposed-why the
President Of the United States was denounced as
having by his imprudence called it into exis,encel
who opposed and who sustained its prosecution7
and, moreover, why the measures necessary for
its vigorous prosecution were DELAYED from the
beginning TO The close of session OF three months
duration, when it was known that every DAVIS de-
lay was of material detriment to the public in
terestsl Let me endeavor to answer these cues
tons.
Mr.. Clay, Mr.. Van Buren,, and MIR. Wright.
when their opinion was asked on the annexation
of Texas, d. clared against that measure, predict
ing that 1t would involve us in a war with Mexico
Mr. Calhoun secuted this idea, and de- cIared it to
be his firm conviction that there could be no war
That the annexation OF Texas was the primary
cause OF the war, there is not shadow Of doubt
The moment the act was consummated here, the
Mexican minister, Almonte, demanded his pass
porte, declaring that his government would hold
the United states 10 account Tor what he designated
an outrageous act of aggression on the nights of
Mexico. From the time Mexico received official
intimatlon of the annexation TO the United States,
as far as the act OF this government had force OF
State to which she still! set mp Gan empty title,
she prepared ior war From that time state OF
war actually existed, although hostilities had not
yet commenced. Our government endeavored
by Cancellation and kindness 10 arrest the threat.
ened rupture As soon Mexico intimated her
Willingness TO treat, minister was sent. Ii was
only when our offers Of amity were contumeli-
ously reJected-when our minister was insulted
when TO have withheld our army longer from
the defence Of the boundary would have been
advance to the Rio Grande Even then we for.
bore until longer to forbear would have been cr.
minal number oil our soldiers were murdered
before we struck asblow.
But Mr.. Calhoun had predictcd ,b,, u,ar co,ld
not result from the annexation of Texas and he
doubtless believed so. HIS mind was prepared
then 10 REJECT every evidence lending TO falsiv
ms preoicuon, ana even when we received the
disastrous news OF the murder of Colonel Cross
and the cutting of of Thornton's dragons. he
still counseled against the recognition of war
But Congress, disregarding this ca unset did with
commendable alacrity and unanimity recognise
the war. Mr.. Calhoun has ever since been en-.
deavoring, with the aid of circumstantal evil
denoe, to vindicate his prediction, by proving
that the President Of the United States, and not
Mexico, had taken the initiative and brought
about the war. To the fact Exclusively that he
predicted that war could not result from the an.
nexation of Texas, many would ascribe his oppo-
sition to the recognition OF the war, and his desire
to nculpate the President in its origination | do
not. When once the mind of such man as Mr.. G.
receives certain bent, the smallest crcumstan-
ces will bias his judgment, "Tr1es light as all"
afford aliment TO his convictions. Every evil
dencc that tends to strengthen his opinion, is
sought after, and swallowed and diyested. AL