The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-03
A RErROsPEcT.

RETROsPEcT.
1t is no longer disputed thar, when the United
States admitted Texas into their Union, Texas and
Mexico were al war with each other The absence
of actual hostities between the begerents did not
change their relations. As a necessary consequence
of this state of things the United States, by the act
admitting Texas into their conlederacy stepped into
her shoes, and were at war with Mexico from the
very hour when the act OF admission was consum-
mated.
Nor the United Suites left in ignorance by
Mexico of the consequences OF admitting Texas into
their confederacy for she distinctly warned them
through her minister that she should consider the
act of admission assumption by them Of the
existing between her and her rebellious province
and that it would be followed by the withdrawal of
her minister from the United States.
In the face of this declaration the people of the
United States passed upon the question of admission
with their eyes fully open to the consequences, and
placed in power the men who were pledged before
hand to execute this policy The new Administra-
ton therefore, in admitting Texas did nothing
more than redeem their pledges to the sovereign
stuency
The Mexican minister withdrew from the United
States.
1t now remained for Mexico to decide whether
she would renew against the United States the hos
tililies which she had chosen of her own free will
to abandon against Texas for some years.
Pending this state of things the United States en-
deavored by all the means in their power, to nego-
tiate with Mexico for the establishment of h new
boundary line thus admitting, by the very terms of
the proposition that the relations between the par
ties had become interrupted in consequence of the
Texas business. Mexico refused for time to listen
to the proposition of the United States but at last
Yielded and agreed to receive commissioner TO ne
gotate for the establishment of boundary line,
us preliminary TO the restoration OF the peaceful
relations between the two countries, which Mexico
continued to assert, had been broken by the act ad-
hitting Texas into the Union. In an unfortunate
moment, the United States refused to acknowledge
that they occupied this poson-that of being al
ready at war with Mexico, and insisted that Mexico
should receive regular minister.
We have ever believed, that, had the United States
stood up boldly on this occasion, and acknowledged
their true position in regard to Mexico, and sent out
commissioner according to previous agreement,
the cause of quarrel would have been speedily re-
moved and peaceful relations between the two Re
publics have been restored upon permanent basis.
But different counsels prevailed and the United
States played the part Of the wolf They were evil
IDENTIFY determined to force Mexico to take up arms,
and it was not long before she gratifed them. She
regarded the whole of Texas rebellious province
the sovereignty over which she had never formally
surrendered. She had right, therefore, to assert her
power over the whole of 1t over any part of It, if
she saw proper to do so but she did attempt to
disturb the new posscssor Of Texas proper at ALL and
il is possible if the United States had never crossed
the Nueces, there would not have been any actual
hostilities However this may be, the United States
did cross the Nueces and marched into the State of
old Tainaulpas whereupon the first blow was struck
h,,N ~, Net har md H1nr I'LL
lum existed The Congress ofthe United States hur
red to recognise the open hostilities thus begun be-
tween the two nations whose peaceful relations had
been previously broken by the act admitting Texas.
Now if we examine the act Of Congress recognise
ing open hostilities between the two nations we
shall find object set forth in that law TO be achicy
ed by prosecuting the Ii does not say that the
restoration of peace is the object OF the war; does
il say that that the establishment Of boundary line
is its purpose nor is there any thing said about the
necessity of making Mexico pay for spolations Of
our citizens. What then, are the United States wa
ging this war fort
The war-making power has authorized war
to be waged against Mexico by the whole power
of the United States. What is war? 1t is to
injure your neighbor by all the means in your
power. So that the United States have in fact, no
other object in view in waging this than to hurt
Mexico by all the ways that can be devised.
1t is true the Administration Of the Executive has
defined the objects of the They every thing,
any thing and nothing long. 1t has gone out Of the
act authorisng it, in search of its purposes. One day
It's TO conquer peace" Tomorrow, it is to get
naturalization for past wrongs to our citizens The
next day, 1t Is to be paid the expenses of the war
and on ad ilinitum. But whatever be its objects,
the purpose of its conduct is longer n secret. 1t
has been waged by the Administration with the ex-
press view of making it an element in domestic poll
ties in the hope that its influence upon the public
mind would induce the constituency to continue in
power the present dynasty.
An attentive consideration of the popular feeling
upon the subject however, at the present moment,
establishes beyond doubt that 1t is in favor of its
being speedily brought to close The methods of
of men is for taking defensive line in the enemy's
country. Another set is for abandoning all
quests and bringing home troops Another is for
the occupation of the whole Of Mexico by force of
arms And still another is for cutting down and STAY
ing the enemy until they extirpated. While ano-
Their is for the civil occupation Of all Mexico by the
United States. Amid these conflicting elements and
opinions it will be for Congress select that plan
which will best effect the object in viewthc closing
ofthe war. The United States have done the Mex-
cans injury enough, and 1t is time that Congress
should put end to the as il Is now wagcd and
to adopt some for the pacifcation of the
envy.
LIFE OF GEN. TAvLon.-We are indebted TO the
publishers of the Illustrated Life of Gen. Taylor for
~ II. 4. - T.. T.