New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-04-03
The Attack upon Gen. Taylor By the 'Union'
Retreat Of Santa Anna Probable conduct

Retreat OF santa Anna Probable conduct
ofthe War.
From our own Correspondent
wAsHrSGroy. April !, le4T
The Washington Union in an article this morn
ing, partly editorial and partly transferred from an
other paper, labors to prove that the Wings have
attributed the Of the present war with Next
co to the march Of our forces upon the Hio Grande
and that as Gen. Taylor approved that march. the
Wing party is estoPped by his appreciation there
Of from finding farther fault with the President TOR
the commencement of the War The whole argu-
ment is fallacious The premises are incorrect and
the inference inconclusive. The Wings have never
contended that the march Of the armies upon the
Rio Grande was the cause Of the war; such was
Mr. Calhouns position the Wings knew better
and have ever rightly ascribed the origin OF the war
to the Annexation OF Texas fact admitted the
last session of Congress by Col Benton, and the
leaders generally Of the Administration party
Such necessary consequence of Annexation was
predicted with absolute confidence by the most emf
nent Wings during the whole canvass of ls44
lras predicted among others BY Mr. Van Buren,
and Col Benton themselves. They agreed with
the Wings that the forcble appropriation OF Texas
to ourselves, far eren as the NHeces, against the
remonstrance of Mexico would inevitably involve
US in a war with that country The sole objection
to be preferred against the prediction consists in It's
tameness it was not sufficiently menacing for
much more fearful evil has fallen upon u.s. in con-
sequence Of the consummation of that measure,
than the most apprehensive and timid ever feared
The Wings have met the fate of Cassandra they
foretold the truth and were disbelieved, and
equally with the guilty, must suffer the insepera'
bic consequences Of crime.
Nor does the recommendation by Gen. Taylor OF
the march of the Army to the Rio Grande bind the
Wings to an endorsement Of that act Gen. Tay'
lor had been informed by authority OF the Presl'
dent that the whole OF Texas, to the Rio Grande.
belonged to the United States and to him was as
signed the duty of protecting the integrity OF our
territory A subordinate officer sworn to obey the
commands of his superior without questioning
their propriety legality, it became his duty to
devise the most feasible method for the execution
of his orders His deliberations instructed him to
believe that the display upon the frontier OF our
territory of proper force would produce good
moral effect upon the Mexcans. That frontier he
was ordered by the Department to consider the Rio
Grande, and, Of course in all his operations he so
respected it. To the President belongs the whole
opprobrium Of the march for by him, against the
convictions and express opinions OF the most dis
tnguished Of both parties, was the Rio Grande
declared the legitimate limit of our territory and
the precipitation of our forces upon the country
living between the Nueces and the Rio Grande
was il not the necessary, the natural consequence
of such Interpretation of our territorial rights
Major Gen Butler is OF opinion that Santa Anna
has fallen back upon Parras it is the only place
where he can feed his starving army. 1t is not sup
posed here that he will attempt another attack
upon General Taylor he has done enough TO Sc
cure himself favorable consideration at home, and
more he cannot expect. Though unquestionably
the best General of the Mexicans, he has not been
able. even with treble the number, to make SEN
sible impression upon the American forces, and he
never will have the equal opportunity tor another
attempt.
The war on the part Of the Mexicans, It is sup
posed. will assume more and more guerrilla char
acter to which both the pursuits and genius Of the
nation incline If So hostlties may last an indeh-
mite period, and wear the savage aspect of its war
with Spain, when quarter was neither given nor
expected on either side. War, in attachments or
in rowing bands, is no unaccustomed occupation to
the Mexicans. they have in truth been engaged in
such exercise the last twenty years they have
nothing to learn and little to fear from its contnu-
ance.
We may find it much worse than the war IN
Florida. where the whole military force OF the
Emitted States was exerted Intellectually for seven
wears against few hundred Seminoes