Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-08-13
Frona the London Chronicle July Is
THE ENGLISH VIEW OF Mr.. TRIST'S
MISSION TO MEXICO

The last news from America is OF a greatly
more pacific tendency than any what we had
received for long time. In short, II we
could give implicit credence TO the accounts
which have reached us both from the States
and from the seat of war, we might regard 1t
as certain that peace will shortly be conclu-
ded. on terms on the whole more honorable 10
the States, and much less humiliating to Mex
leo. than, mder all the circumstances, she hao
any reason to expect We are too much re-
ioiced at the prospect of a cessation OF inns
most impolitic and unjustifable war; to De
disposed to examine too closely into the mo-
tves which have led the government OF the
States TO change their policy. 1t may De tnai
President Polk, growing more and more Jeai-
Gus of Generals Scott and Taylor, and beng
unable to set them by the ears, has resolved
to cut short their career of glory IN the only
effective way. Could he himself have reaped
in popularity, and renewal OF his term OF OF,
flee, the fruits of their toll and danger, 1t would
have been different matter. In that case eV-
cry furtherance would have been given to the
war, and no reasonable overtures of peace eth
er made or listened 10. Rough and Ready and
the Kentucky Savage might have worn out
their lives in their countrys's service, ana
quarreled or not quarelled, just as the hu.
NOR took them, had President Polk remained
that idol of the Yankee democracy which ne
was four years ago. 1t is not, however, so
hopeless with Mr. Polk as it seems. OF re-
election to the Presidency he has no chance.
But he is comparatively ayoung, man con-
sderably younger than either OF the new Gel
ebrities who have thrown him into the shade
Let peace be concluded now on what terms II
NAV, half dozen years will not elapse with
Of fho | of
Mr.. Polk devote the enforced leisure win
which he is threatened in a diligent study OF
tactics Then, when the next opportunity a.
rises, let him head new thousands OF volun-
teers, invading Mexico for the second time:
Let him sturdily earn his laurels, by craft and
courage. by hard work, and occasionally by
hard fighting. Let him return scared and care
worn, and baptised with some grotesque NICK
name, and the cup of his ambition may yet be
replenished. He may attain that enjoyment
for which he is said to languish, OF trettlng
through four years more of Presidential res,
ponsiblstes And thus the seeds or dlscord
which he is accused of having sown, may al
length produce for him the fruit which he cove
ted. 1t was some such plan as this that must
have been in Mr.. Benton's head when he
moved heaven and earth to get himself appoln-
ted virtuel Commander-in- Chief. And IN tact,
if war did become a regular system IN the
States, one of the inevitable results would be,
that all the leading politicians would be forced
to graduate in the field of battle before they
bid for popular honors; just as among the red
men, no aspiring youth dared ask maIdeEs
love, or claim mans prerogatlves, until he
had slain his enemy, and appended the reek-
ing scalp 10 his waist. There is some times
strange affinity in the predictions OF races
that succeed each other on the same soil. And
we doubt not but that, when the history OF
America is further developed, some future
Montesquieu may find strong corporation
for the theory that climate greatly influences,
If it does not make national character, IN the
essential resemblances that will be percept-
bic in the social and political habits of races
so different, and conditions of society so re-
mote, as the red man that once owned
the west, and the white men who own
it now. According to the Democratic Re-
u1eu, an organ of the Washington cabinet,
the territory of which Mexico is to be mulct-
ed at present, Will be confined to New Mex
leo and Upper California; pretty cantle
: of ground to transfer from one dominion to
another, yet not more than Mexico can very
we'll spare. And if her new northern frontier
could only be made permanent one, we ap-
prehend 1t would be more easily defended by
Mexico than the present. But this wilt partly
depend on where tie new boundary OF the
! States will be drawn, and what conditions Will
accompany the settlement This new acces-
sion to their territory the United States are not
l to exact as forfeit or accept as a concession
| Deeming purchase the best title, they prefer,
it is said, to pay for whatever they take from
Mexico. How much they are to pay, OF
| whether it is to be in hard cash, or merely by
a set-of against the expenses OF the war, we
do not clearly understand. But the terms
which MIR. Tr!st has been deputed by the gov
eminent at Washington to offer to the NleXl-
cans are asserted to Repayment tor all terri
5 tory transferred the States TO become respon-
sible for the debts due to their citizens by
Mexico; and no payment at all to be exactec
of the expenses of the war. OF this last item
we confess we are incredulous. Weare pref
ty sure that the settlement will be made by {
set-ofF of purchase money against expenses
t 900 Of francs, or II 900, 900 of dollars. Tht
d Mexican war has already cost the States fou
i times that sum and vet as bargains go, espe
n cially Brennus bargains, Jonathan will hav'
e no right to complain. Mexico will be fortu
n nate if the sword of the Yankee General is no
Q thrown into the scale when her ransom i
G. weighing, and some of her best ports transfer
red forever to the dominion of her trlumphan
: foe. That would certainly be far create
loss to Mexico than twice the quantity appro
priated of her inland wildernesses. But t
q grasp at California and the Gulf of Mexico a
n once would be too daring an aggression 10
v Jonathan 10 attempt in act the first of the Mex
J. lean tragedy Nor is it quite certain that tn
h European powers would behold unmoved sue
ri an approach on the part of the Russia of tn
ID West to the uncontrolled mastery of the Anne
rlcan Mediterranean. Pending the negotla
If tons for peace, Gen'l Scott is evincing i'm
h mense dexterity in the mode in which he sub
J. sists his army in the conquered country, with
BIT out drawing supplies OR ammunition from Yer
N Cruz Whatever he wants he helps himse
ID to, and-most wonderful to relate-pays fc
y. it. At Jalapa, at Puebla, and other places, h
,e draws bills upon the Government at Washing
Is ton; and as fast as he draws, somebody
re- Mexican or foreigner, is found to discour
v them on the spot. He thus loads his COFFEE
"a with hard silver as fast as he can fill stamps
m Strange fatality, crowning all the other wor
ders of this unparalleled war! In most otht
countries in the position of Mexico, this woul
n, be impossible for the abest General to effec
n, How often, for instance, have the troops {
o. Marlborough and of Louis XIV. starved
Flanders For it is not merely the sovenc
y, of the Government of the United States TIL
to makes this possible. Marlborough and Vel
of dome. when their soldiers had but half ration