The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-24
COMMUNICATION.
Opinions of Senator Breesc, Of Illinois.

citizen, equally interested as any other IN feeling and
bound duty 10 examine into and TO discover the
truth in all that relates present attitude towards
that country, have reflected much upon the OF
events or several years past, and have examined the
views taken by some OF our prominent satesmen-among
which have discovered none more sound worthy OF
attention than those of Senator Beese, of Illinoiswho
has treated thus subject with dspassonate consdera
lion, free from party bias in which, II appears, he has
faithfully represented the universal spirit and Judgment
oil the people of the gallant and patriotic State OF ILLINOIS,
which he, in part ably represents in the Senate rre
lmnary to examination of his views. however peg
permission to present lew general remarks ior cosue
alton.
In the of this subject il not intended TO en-
ter into details that already iamiliary known ahu
understood but to refer to general propositions ny he
OF common sense, distinguished from aosuacuohS
and metaphysical retnements; hopng, Dy such COURSE
sufficiently to indicate, candid and unbiased minds,
justa impartial conclusion ~
Before entering upon the subjects Of difference II IS
essentially necessary present, In luXaposion the
characters OF Inc two contendng parties, IN orer to form
proper estimate OF Their respective acts. The uniform
policy of the government OF the United States, IN IFS IN
iercourse with foreign nations, has ever been honorable
and concaiory; all of which characteristics (supeiadd
ing thereto the virtue OF patence have been abundan
manifested in It's transactions with the government OF
Mexico may be the correspondence oil our pub
lie ministers, the treaties with that republic and IN the
observance, the part OF our government OF the
provisions and stpulaons of those treaties, until the at
tack made upon the little army OF the United States I'M
der General Taylor, by overwhelming Mexican force
Towards Mexico well as all the other American gov
ernmens has manifesty been the true policy wela
the general interest, of the United States to cultivate rea
tons of friendships and all considerations have combined
to render hostile attitude towards Mexico extremely
irksome and painful on part and prove that nothing
short of dire necessity would have induced the govern
Inen of the United States to assume such an attitude
On the other hand, the government OF the Mexican
States the violation subversion of its own
stituon, has been uncertain and vacatng, depending
for its policy its measures, ITS relations with foreign gov
ernmens and even for the most part for ITS very exist
ence upon the caprice OF military mounebanks and the
rabbe Its appears to have been system OF OPP
pressiye exacions towards Individuals and spirit OF
adinUb ,mb
wards other governments when seeking remuneration or
redress for injuries done their citizens or insults Offered
to their flags which, occasion at least previous to
the present war, caused powerful nation TO intct
summary and merited chastsement for gratutous nso
castle OF San Juan de Uloa, without exciting either SYM
pathy commseraton from the extra humane citizens
OF the Untel States The tendencies of this cabaisca
government of Mexico, Its more recent intercourse
with the United States have been arrogant and vndc
tive believing doubt from the long exercise OF for
bearance the part OF the United States that they could
play off their menacng bombast and gain mpunity from
that magnanimty and generosity which would cause
powerful nation TO bear with the injustice, and even
with the nsoence OF weaker natlon rather than incur
any imputation of distressing such weaker power.
A comparison having been thus instituted between the
governments will proper to consider the feelings
and conduct OF the respective people
1t will be questioned that the people of the United
States have sympathzed with those of all the republics OF
this hemisphere, from the first dawn OF republican ten
denotes, through their struggles Tor liberty and were the
first to hail their victorious achievements and to recognise
their national independence They the first TO form
friendly and commercial relations with them, and have
ceased to feel and to show lively interest in their
prosperity and welfare. A stronger evidence of the
strength and fidelity OF this sympathy the part of the
citizens of the United States could not be required than
the fact OF the extensive feeling of conmiseraon which
pervaes every part OF this republic, whenever 1t Is
tod That the horrors of have reached portion OF
The unohending and helpless Mexican people.
On the other hand to present just view OF the impul
sve and vndicve character OF the Mexican people, who
lave from time 10 time assumed and welded the power OF
1atgoyernment and with whose acts we have to deal,
AZ Oniy
sanguinary euds, and the unprncpled revolutions and
counterrevoutons that have succeeded the first viola
ton of the integrity of her republican constitution, in
which they have appeared the willing instruments in the
hands Of iactious usupers and military alvenurers for
works of disorder, oppression and blood while the pres
ent unfortunate collision with them has fully developed
their general and individual hatred 10 the citizens of the
United States, manestng itself on every convenient OF
covert OCCASION by the use OF the reacherous lasso the
cut throat knife, the aocous lance. The unsuspec
ing civilian, the inoiensiye minister OF religion, and the
wounded and vanquished soldier the field of battle
have been alike the victims OF their cowardy Infamous
aud nhlman butchery, unknown to civilized and honor
able warfare, and calling aloud Tor vengeance from the
Immediate comrades OF those unfortunate victims.
These exhibitions Of atrocity however, only the
development OF those latent halfconceaed feelings
that have been ranking in the breasts of the Mexica
against our citizens, because OF our affinity or relation
ship to the inhabitants of Texas for whose acts or
causes of difference with Mexico the people of the
United States ought not to have been held respon
sible; but, so far as Mexican feelings could affect
the safety OF NE or properly, or so lar as either
came within the power of the Mexicans, it had be-
come misfortune 10 bsd cd-en OF the United States
and many of citizens, in the customary intercourse
with that country for purposes OF commerce, trade
travel for several years past have felt severely the
truth OF this remark in the ndgntes injustice, robberies
and murder perpetrated BY them in violation of the laws
OF hospitality and humanity acknowledged by all civil
ized nations. To such height OF anlinosty had this
feeling attained that Mexican ministers who
pected OF entertaining Just views towards the United
States were denounced and was with great difficulty
that our ministers and negoators obtained partial
cognon OF the claims OF czens upon that govern
ment for indemnity Tor the spolation and sequestron
of their property. The settlement of controversies be-
tween honorable nations, by diplomatic arrangements
concluded by treaty. have ordinarily been carried out in
good faith by the appropriate officers commissioners oil
the high contracting parties But not in the
ferred 10 with Mexico The termination of diplomatic
controversy in this but the beginning OF pitt
full strife the part OF Mexico. through her commission
ers appointed conjunction with commissioners OF the
Unea States to llqudae the claims OF American citizens
The disingenuous and lItigious, If not fraudulent be-
havio OF their commissioners, which they have been
sustained by that has recently been fully ex
posed By the candid and able statements of eminent pro-
essonal men, whose testimony cannot be suspected OF
receiving any bias from political party considerations
The pary preensons of Mexico to Justice and honora
bic dealing, resting upon the sembaaee of FORMS thus |
evaporaed; and many of citizens have thus been de-
frauded OF their rights to indemnity by the acts of the
Mexican government and their delegated authorities and
that portion of them whose claims were adjusted have |
not been paid the sums found due to them Thus it ap
pears that after the injuries and suerings inflicted upon
the citizens OF the United States BY the Mexican govern
ment and IT'S citizens and after the procrasnaton, bonn
has deceit, aud insoence of the favores of the mtar,
aoble OF Mexico, whom chance or anarchy had placed
IN possession OF their government and pc for the time
Deiig justice and indemnity have been denied TO our
cluzehs lbe patient, respectful and reasonable aTu