Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-06-18
From the National hielHgencer.
THE TWO PRESIDENTS.

In the progress of the war with Mexico no E.
vent deserves to be more particularly noticed
than President Folks mysterious and voluntary
restoration of Ex-President Santa Anna TO his
country. This is singled out from all others,
from the peculiar crisis in the affairs OF Mexico
AT that time, and the consequences that followed,
and are likely TO follow, that fatal act of the
President.
At that time Mexico was distracted by factions,
civil and military, to an extent that had paralvz.
ed all her energies and rendered all her resour-
ces imperative in her resistance TO our arms
Her prominent and active men were not only
without concert in the administration of ther
Government and the prosecution the war, hut
they were cxhausling their means in civil dscorl
aud strife. There was no organized opposition
TO our army, and the field of war was opened to
our advance in all directions. Mexico was in
condition so hel pess and hopeless that she might
have taken counsel from her necessities and
have terminated the war.
At that dark and perilous hour Mr.. Polk took
Santa Anna from his exile and gave him to Mex
leo. His advent in the country was received
with acclamotions and reioicngs. He was hail
ed as their deliverer; he was looked to as the
masterspirt to quell all intestine feuds; he was
to subdue the rivalry of military aspirants; he was
TO speak peace 10 all the distracted elements; he
was to rouse the broken energies of her army,
and lead it 10 victory. All this he did accom-.
plish except so much as promised victory to hel
arms.
Shrewd, sagacious, and knowing thoroughly
the character of his people, Santa Anna seized
the moment and the feeling as auspicious for his
country and his fame, and he made Mexico
unit in sentiment and purpose. lie Instantly
called into requsiton all the resources Of his
couniry-or men, money, and the appliances of
war; He reorganized the Government by CIV
ing TO il order and efficiency and shaped it as
auxiliary TO his purpose. By such means, and
with his potential authority, he made Mexico
formidable 10 her utmost capacity. He iouSed
her to pitch Of revenge against our country,
and made her deaf TO every proposition for
peace. He innamcd every national prejudice
by adroit appeals TO their patriotism, and he made
The people his instruments by an infectious gas
conade, we'll adapted 10 the times and their
taste. With these appliances he made himself
a most popular leader, overshadowed all OPPOSE
tion, and achieved for his country what no 9th.
or citizen of the Republic could have approach
ed.
What man but Santa Anna could have con-
centrated such an army as he had at San Luis
Potosil Who could have held that army to.
ge,her under the circumstances but Santa Annal
Who could have brought it into action and given
it the efficiency that he did! Who could have
rallied il, after such runous defeats, and brought
il again and again into action at remote parts Of
the republic. Bootless as all this has been TO
him and to his country, no one but Santa Anna
could hove accomplished 1.-THE of what he has
done.
To that mans resources and power is Mexico
indebted for her ability 10 do us all the injury
and inhict all the sufferings that have belallen
us in the progress of this war, since he has been
Al the head of his Government and in command
of the army. Without his great and active in
Auence Mexico would have been left prey TO
her own internal dissensions without leader to
her army, and without any serious obstacle TO
our own movements.
Painful as this catalogue Of consequences is,
it is but part Of what has actually taken place.
1t would be well if we could limit our grievances
TO the past; but when we contemplate the conse-
quences that must grow out of the future, tney
are lraught with the gloomieSt lorebodings.
The lide of war sill rolls on without any rna-
sonable hope ora refux in the blessings Of peace
but come whenever it may, is disbanded army
OF oo or 100000 men, cast upon society with III
leehngs ana habits OF a soldiers life, not to BE-
feared lor It's effects upon the moral and soc,a.
relations OF our wide spread country! Wiulhey.
can they shake off the military spirit and its
concomIants, and quietly resume their orlinar,
pursuits, and abide the Obligations Of moral
and peaceful society," May not restless spirits