The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-05
The Frolsng.tioa OF Hos,ilities.

issued as soon as the news comes to hand.
The Proisngation or Hoslilities.
When we consider the immense resources of
the United States. and the proof we have given
the whole world of our capability of carrying
on war in an enemy's country, thousands of
miles distant from home---when we consider
too, the invariable success which has crowned
our arms in every part ofMexico, since the COM
mencement of hostiliiies with that country, from
the day when the memorable battle of Palo Alto
was fought, until that which witnessed the de-
feat of the Mexican hordes under the walls of
their capitol-we cannot but be amased at the
criminal faulty which urgesi the enemy to con-
tlnue contest so palpably unequal, and which
has placed in our control the whole of his coun-
try
We are acquainted with the stubborness
and obstinacy of the Mexican character
we are aware of their pride and haugh-
tincss, and their willingness to sacrifice
every thing rather than submit but making
all due allowances for these, we are still
surprised that that people continue to hold out as
they do. They have been defeated in general &C.
ton by numbers infinitely inferior to those they
brought against us-their impregnable tortresses
their favorite plan of guerilla warfare, even, has
failed them-their capital, even, is in our posses
sion-many of their principal officers are prl-
soners, and to crown all, they are without an or
gaAized army. In the presence OF the whole
world they are defeated, conquered, and render
ed, by irreparable losses, incapable of meet
ing our troops again in the field on terms that
promise them the remotest chance of success, or
even partial advantage.
There must be something on which they count
that we do not know of. There must be some
basis of hope which they rely upon for ulti-
mately worrying and wearying the United States
of the North into an arrangement by which they
imagine they will make better terms than they
can now. We are of opinion there must be
something of this kind in the back ground; and
if we look at home for it, we think we can find
it. 1t is within the knowledge of all, that our
Legislative halls last winter, presented a scene
which would disgrace any country Instead Of
our representatives uniting hand and heart in
promoting the honor and dignity of the
nation, in prosecuting the war which was
declared by solemn vote to exist between us
and Mexico, and which did exist by the overt
act of Mexico in splitting American blood on
American soil, great portion of them engaged
in throwing every impediment in the way of the
President they could, and for mere party purposes
invited the enemy to harrass us and prolong the
war. Instead ofpromptly furnishing the Execu
tive with men and means to follow up the advan-
tages we gained at the commencement of hos
tilites, and finishing the war by a coup de main,
they wifully and obstinately withheld doing so,
and preferred discussing the subject of slavery
whether it should exist in territory which the
United States did not at the time own, and which
she possibly may never own. What humiliating
spectacle we presented to the world, and what
better encouragement could we give the enemy
than the speeches which ere circulated over
hill and valley in Mexico, and used as argu-
ments adduced by ourselves to prove that the
war on our part was unjust and unrighteous!
These scenes and these doings could not but
have had tremendous moral influence on the
bulk Of the Mexican people, coming from the
source they did.
Again. the course which the whig papers
have followed since the adjournment of
Congress, has had similar influence. They
have maintained an unceasing warfare against
the war. All this political clap-trap, written
for the express purpose of weakening the do
home, and of furthering the chances of the next
wing or conservative candidate for the presi-
dency, have, we are confident, had a powerful
effect in continuing the war The articles we
speak of have been copied from time to time into
the Mexican papers, and circulated through the
country, with appropriate comments. And
why should they mott What more efficient aid
could the Mexicans receive than the assurance
they got in this way-that the war was COM
menced by the President; that it was unpopu-
lar, and that he would be called to a strict re-
spenslbility for commencing itl The authors of
those speeches and Of those articles, are as
morally guilty Of treason to their country as If
they had furnished the enemy with men and am
muniton to Sight against us.
We are certain that these causes hav.
tended materially to prolong the war and
as Congress will soon again assemble, we hope
and trust, provided peace be not in the meantime
concluded, that the anti-war wings and anti
war democrats will by that time have seen
the error of their ways, and will take diff
ferent course to what they adopted last winter.
The responsibility Of prolonging the warnow, is
on their beads. If they wish to atone as far as is
in their power, for the evil they have committed,
they can do SO; but if the Wilmot proviso, or
any other kindred chimera, be.introduced and
pushed to the same extent as il was last session,
the anti-war party will be the means Of giving
I" aid and comfort to the enemy.
When peace shall have been concluded, when
additional territory shall have been acquired,
when our armies have retired from the enemy's
country, they may introduce as many absurdi-
ties as they please, and talk themselves to death
over them, if they please; but, in the name of
patriotism, let them not do anything to procras-
innate hos.ilities, or to embarrass the chosen
executive Of the nation in prosecuting them, if
such course shall be necessary.
The magnetic telegraph line between New Orleans
and Mobile, viii probably be completed during the pre-
saufo mr.