Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-05-11

which received from my own the sword
which voluntarily reIinquished.
The arbitrary order depriving Inc Of
military command, which was fnlmina-
ted against me, was most solemn
guarantee for the enemy, that he could,
! from that moment, remain in quiet pos
!, session of the places which he had be-.
fore watered with his blood thanks to
my efforts. w
1t would appear that, in the natural
order of things, after my separation
from all command, my retreat ought to
have been respected. Plots of every
kind were put in operation to put an
end to my days, and lift had not been
that Providence had watched over my
safety, Mexicans, unworthy OF the pro-
lection of the invaders, would have sa-
cri6ced me. Time will reveal these
lntdtiIOuS tIdtIShCtlOHS. '.5l
The ministerial press has charged
against me that alone desired the
war, and that | sustained it merely
from personal motives. These asser-
lions involve the vile charge that | am
capable Of the criminal and ignoble
passion of postponing the national for
my private interests. In few words
will explain the necessity and utility
of the war.
When once the nation had commenc-
ed the contest, four months before l
returned to its bosom, in consequence
of the aggressions ofthe United States,
it became indispensable that the whole
Republic should cooperate in the use
Of its natural defences to conquer the
invader. The interests and rights
which they defended were not only
those Of the present generation, but
there was also at stake the future well
fare of the Republic and its nationality
To suffer the loss of the greater part of
its territory involved not only its dis
honor but the ruin of its political exis-
tence. Those who can look into futu-
rity know that those fears which have
haunted my mind will be realized, for
when the limits of The neighboring Re-
publics are once extended to the heart
Of our dominion, we lose forever the
equilibrium; and through an error in
political calculation the war has been
terminated, and with it all hopes for
our children. Without the necessity
for profound Investigations. and with.
out appeal to the secrets of foreign pol
icy, the man of reflection sees with
dread that this unfortunate people is
prescribed from the catalogue of ma
tons, and that the generation which
saw the Struggle of its independence
vii! assist at its funeral. have there
fore desired and sustained the war as
the only means Of existence. More
has already been granted than the enc
my demanded, and our children can
from this moment say that they have
no future and no country. May it
please heaven that | may be mistaken
in my predictions!
The lovers ofhumanity and ofjus,ice
have raised their voice, even in the
American Capitol, to warn us of the
immense danger we run. Fatality and
the rancor Of party egotism and treach-
cry, have prevented our listening to
those echoes of truth, and an extempo-
raneous treaty has deprived US of the
advantages which we could derive by
suffering little longer the evils of the
war, and by showing more 6rmness to
meet emergencies. ....r
All who know the history of my
public life-who know the unlimited
power, the glory and honors which I
have enjoyed in the midst of this gen.
erous nationwide have seen marble
and bronze pay tribute to my memory,
and who have known that have had
an independent fortune for years past
all these, say, will be convinced of
the enormous injustice which is con-
tanned in the superstition that it is not
for these causes have mentioned, but
from personal motives, that | have
fought, exposing my life for the good
OF my country. Partisans are cruel in
all times and all countries, but ours, in
this instance, have passed all limits, and
in my person have violated all laws ,hu-
man and divine.
The state at which matters have ar
rived, renders my person no longer any
use to my country. A peaceto be for
ever execrated has been granted, and
two-thirds Of the national territory
have been sold for dish Of lentils. A
.h,u of,,l and ahcnrd arnaiSfico hae haon