The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-28

who has no personal interest IN the question, and who
seems to have weighed il with great care and in regard
10 the true facts and principles Of the case, is entitled
some attention;
MONTREAL, Feb. Is. 1s4s.
To the Editor Of the Union;
Sir: The people OF Canada cannot lsok with ndiffer.
ence on any great national movement OF the United
States They feel great interest in all matters connect
ed with the prosperity OF your country, independent
Of the similar origin Of its people It's language laws and
institutions feel that The general business and pros
petty OF this province materially influenced by the
condition OF things in the United States.
The Mexican war, therefore, has attracted much So
cude and attention, from its origin to the present time
We see in its protracted continuance the danger OF It's
producing money crisis, which must reach this coun-
Try, and embarrass IFS general business AS an nhabant
OF Canada, and interested in the matter 10 the extent
above set forth, will take the liberty of making few
remarks upon this amportant subject and if you think
they deserving of consideration, you at liberty to
publish them. As party remote from the scene of con-
en,ion between those the United States who approve
and those who condemn the war, will endeavor to give
my views unnhuenced by any local or party prejudice,
batn manner consistent with what believe the real
opinions OF ALL or large majority of those who live out
OF the United States, and who understand the subject
either in America or Europe. have read with great
care all OF the principal speeches made by distin.
guished Americans in and out of Congress- and have
read many of the noticeable articles on the subject
published in The leading newspapers both sides of
the question:. From these, am impressed with de-
as
twelve month. at least may be attributed to the course
pursued by the party in the United States opposed to it.
That the Mexicans would long since have made peace.
had the people of the United States been united in the
prosecution of the is to almost self evident This
being my opinion shall proceed to discuss the Justice of
the war, and the chief reasons urged against it
Sincerely as depecate war, yet there may be reasons
which leave nation no alternative Such think was
the with the United States at the commencement of
the with Mexico. will not discuss the unsatisfed
claims of American citizens on Mexico for indemnity,
nor the malreatment OF others by the Mexicans, but
come to the immediate alleged cause Of the war
namely, the annexation of Texas
Texas had achieved her independence from Mexico.
and this was acknowledged BY the United States, Eng
the latter was of Spain. Mexico had, therefore, NO
shadow of right to dictate what she should do in her
policy with the United States nor had she any right to
sps ac my their
people on the face of the EARTH had any right 10 interfere
SO long done peaceaby, and by mutual consent
Mexico, however, did complain. and declared the an
relations with the United States Indignantly rejected all
oyertures made by the United States for resumption of
friendly relations openly avowed her determination to
rescue Texas by military force; assembled her army at
Matamoras with the declared intention of invading Texas,
Or more properly speaking, the United States so soon as
that army should be placed in condition to make the at
tempt In my opinion, this was war in fact-open, I'M
yaon rendered the duty OF the United States to crush
the war In ITS infancy before the enemy had assumed
formidable aspect General Taylor was ordered to the
o Grande not to attack the Mexicans but TO prevent
nroad The Mexicans attacked him, and the first Amer
can blood was shed BY the aggression of Mexico
OF war had previously exised but this the first
ua conflict OF arms The President of the United States
would have been guilty OF most henous want of duty
had nc not at least sent an army of observation the
Mo Grande to watch the hostile movements of the Mex-
cans; and, In my view, the march OF General Taylor's
army was only with this intent But go further, and
say that the President would have been usfabe in
deHng General to the river and dispense the
army OF Arsa and to have followed up that act with all
movements which it might have rendered necessary.
VIII not follow up the investig alton of the origin of
the war, az think have shown Mexico commenced if,
but will now discuss the merits of the objections made to
II by SO many eminent Americans and approach this
point OF my subject with great dfdence as find myself
opposition to some of the greatest on the po-
lltlcal arena in the United Statesmen for whose former
pubic services, and whose reputation for patriotism
have fet great reverence.
The war is denounced as unjust unnecessary expen-
sve, unchrstan-the Presidents war; and war made
ior the extension OF slavery. think have shown that
wss not unus. or nm on the part Of the Uni
OF Mexico against the United States. That it is expen-
slve cannot be denied and much more by the gene
Tous conduct OF Americans in Mexico This, however,
DO not find Is objected to, favorable to Mexico
That It was made-or rather that the army ordered
70 the Rlo Grandeor the purpose of extending slavery
cannot believe There is nothing to sustain extra
ordinary conclusion. have shown that the conduct
Of the President was justfabe and if war flowed from
~ the great sin rests upon the Mexcans But pre-
viousy existed, and that surely the fault of Mexico
Judge Mclean, in his letter of the It'll January, says
lnat the war was unnecessarily and unconstutonaly
commenced by marching the army into the disputed ter
miory think have shown that this not the
ne mode he recommends for bringing about peace may
De constitutional; but of this will not undertake to
Judge nor Is 1t within the scope of my present intention.
But, while on the subject cannot forbear making some
remarks on the TO me) extraordinary conduct OF some of
your leading men.
MI Clay denounces the war; and. as far my reading
goes, IL In favor OF the Mexicans. Mexico is right the
united States is wrong in all things One would think
ms sympathies were all with Mexico, and against his
own country. How soon has he forgotten that his own
beloved son was, with many other wounded and de-
enceiess Americans, brually murdered by the MeXcans
Al buena Vista How can he think moment on that
fearful and arocous MURDER and lend his synpathes to
ne oase and cowardly foe Santa Anna reported to his
nave been the fate of all Tayors gallant army, had they
oeen conquered and yet this man and these people find
an apooglst IN Mr.. Clay! Gen. Waddy Thompson, also
~ leuer published some time since, taking the
similar ground with Mr.. Clay, speaks highly OF Santa
Anna. He asks, "Who ever knew Santa Anna refuse a
favor to an American" and comments his whole nature
ana ms gentle manners have read of his taking four
hundred men OF Colonel Fannins army in Texas, mostly
Ahefcans on the pledge of treating them prisoners OF
war and lew days afterward marching these four hun
ea men 10 convenient spot, unarmed and pinioned,
ior ne purpose OF putting them to death 1t took two
hours TO finish the work of shooting, mangng, and
khng these unfortunate men, But one escaped to tell
ae saa tale But he at one time did graceful act,
anu ms eiaces the memory OF this most horrd act of
ouicnery IN the mind of Gen Thompson. He gives the
ouer 70 XIII all at Buena Vista, in tho confident ex-
pectauon mat he would overwhelm General Taylor's
amy "Ail the prisoners Dead" says Santa Anna
nc noble minded man, who never refused favor to
an A. american" says General Thompson! And General
aS,onPson and Mr. Clay responded TO by great
Ponucai party IN the United States do not UNI
n hp can