Tri-weekly journal., 1847-10-16


Slidell, then in Mexico. At this time came
forth rumors that Santa Anna was more favor
able to peace, that is, more willing to accomo-
date on the annexation difficulty, than Paredes;
and on that very day in January, message
was sent to Commodore Conner of the Gulf
Squadron, saying that if Santa Anna came that
way to let him into Mexico-hcw came it 10
be supposed that he was likely to come that
way?
About the same time Alexander Slidell, bro
ther to the Minister to Mexico, was sent to Gu
ba by the Government. At this time also
person named Brown was an agent for the u
nited States there. 1t was matter of general
conversation in Cuba that Santa Anna had
been invited TO return toMexico by the United
States authorities. The President said Pare
des was the obstacle in the way of settling our
difficulties. The inference is plain, strong.
Onsthe llth day of May war actually COM
menced. On the 1st of June proclamation,
prepared at Washington, was sent to General
Taylor, to be distributed broadcast throughout
Mexico, as fast as he progressed into the coun-
try. This purported to give the causes of the
war to the Mexicans. 1t set forth that we are
friends of Mexico; that the war was waged on
account of the debts and the rejection of Mr..
Slidell by the then existing government, and
supposed declaration of Paredes, of which
never heard or could ever learn any other au-
thority. The fact is not stated, intimated or
alluded to, that was in the act of war. 1t was
said that we came as friends and that we de-
sired to keep the Mexican government from
falling into the hands of European prince, a
proposition to which effect, it was thrown out,
was on foot.
Some time in the past month, June, Santa
Anna went to Vera Cruz, passed into the in
terror, issued his proclamation or pronuncia-
mento. This, too, said he came as friend,
to put down tyrants and avert the impending
monarchy. The idea and language are strik-
ingly like those set forth through General Tay-
lor. Whether Santa Anna borrowed from Mr..
Polk or Mr.. Polk borrowed from Santa Anna.
or whether it was an extraordinary coincidence
of thought on the part of two great geniuses,
will not attempt to say. Sufficient that they
are remarkably similar in language as well as
character. Gen. Salas, under Santa Annals
pronunciamento, overthrow Paredes, and he in
turn was banished. Santa Anna became the
head of the nation. The sequel all know
War, more direful and bloody than ever, ragged
and is now only terminated by an armistice,
how long to continue no one knows.
!, With equal modification and regret did
read, in the last message of the President, the
admission that his object in assisting Santa
{ Anna to return to Mexico was to overthrow
the existing government and raise another more
favorable to our purposes. He hoped to gel
: out of the difficulty growing out of the annex
alton by fomenting revolution in Mexico!-
How undignifed does this appear in such a ma
tion as ours-a nation of twenty millions o.
people-professing TO be governed by the no
: blest and purest motives-settlLg ourselves UP
as models for the world.
M a,,J ,I,o
+ l have stated. Santa Anna put himselfat the
head of the armies, but instead of moving to-
ward peace, moved towards war. The Presi
dent can have the satisfaction of knowing thai
in many severe and bloody battles in Mexico
he has had the choosing of the commanders or
( both sides.
: The precise object of the war, then was tC
: establish government in Mexico by the re
4 storation ofSanta Ann, which should Weld t.
US the annexation of Texas. How far this ha.
been accomplished is too well known. unfortu
: nately. That was the precise object and ori
r gin OF the war, and all the rest are pretexts.
5 l recall the words of Mr. Calhoun-Withou
: annexation there would not have been war
5 concur with your own well and forcibly ex
V pressed sentiments on the floor of the Repre-
e sentative Chamber (here the speaker turned Il
: Mr.. Ashmun, the presiding officer) last win
e ter, and agree with you in saying that the di
II rect consequence of this act of iniquity (annex
t ation) is the war we are now engaged in. Mr.
Calhoun was right; can any one suppose tina
o we would have gone to war for the debts, o
! because Mr.. Slidell was rejected as Ministe
o Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary? l
i was war in which Mexico has the grievance
and we strike the first blow. She has tbe prom
It inent complaint, and we commence hostilities
!, In this unhappy and unfortunate course ofac
IS tion and its sad results, have the satisfaction
of knowing that from the first intimation of tn
l. proposition for the annexation of Texas | hav
e opposed it. Ten years since, at a politica
n meeting in New York, / spoke upon the sub
n ject, and spoke against it, though strongly ad
e vised not to commit myself upon the question
it | did commit myself My vote was against
n in every stage. Mr.. Webster then made thi
is declaration
never have, IHeUer shall, NEVER WILL uot
Dr. for any further annerdtion to this countr
ty luith a sLaUe representation upon it or in it.
m Much has been said of late concerning tn
n "Wilmot Proviso." The sentiment it embra
lie ces is just one; but it is not a sentiment t
as form new party upon. There is not a ma
" in this assembage, who does not hold to it
a its purity, as strongly as any other man here
le No Massachusetts Whig can claim preferenc
10 over another Massachusetts, Whig in regard I
er it. The sentimentof this proviso are not new
E. Iapprove of them and have long done So
j. Did not commit myself in its favor in 1885
nd hax-a / do,oarfad from III I M