The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-05-12


employed our troops in other States of
the Mexican republic in our possession,
in repelling the attacks Of savages upon
the inhabitants who have maintained their
neutrality in the war. But, unfortunate
ly, we cannot at the present, without Sc
rious danger, Withdraw our forces from
other portions of the Mexican territory
now III our occupation, and send them to
Iucatan. All that can be. done, under
existing circumstances, is to employ our
naval forces in the Gulf, not required at
other points, to afford them relief. But
it is not to be expected that any adequate
projection can thus be afforded, as the op-
eralions of such naval force must, OF ne
cessi;y, be confined to coast.
have considered it proper to commu-
nicate the information contained in the
accompanying correspondence, and |
submit to the wisdom Of Congress to a
dopt such measures as, in their judg-
ment, may be expedient 10 prevent Yu.
catan from becoming colony of any
European power, which in no event could
be permitted by the United States; and
at the same time to rescue the white race
from determination or expulsion from
their country. JAMES X. POLK.
WAsHINGToN, April 80, lS4S.
We subjoin an article from the National Intel
iE"neer upon the subject. 1t pits Polk Us. Polk
-CitizcnPok.tw twenty years ago against President
Polk now. Ii shows what Inconsistencies mer
can be guilty of. 1t will be seen that Citizer
Polk, at that time, paid due Difference to the re
Communications of a man called George Washing
ton. Would TO God that that great mans opin
ions were now better studied and nctcd upon by
the present incumbent OF the Presidential Chair
and his supporters;
Says the lutellgenccr:-' Both Houses
of Congress were surprised by Mes
sage from the President of the United
States on Saturday, upon the subject of
Yucatan, one Of the provinces of Mexico
recommending nothing very distinctly on
the subject of the intestine war now ex-
isling in that Province, but, as the reader
will observe upon the reading of the
Message, referring the subject to Con.
gress with all invitation to that branch of
the Government to take some order in re-
iaiOn to it.
The course which the President has
thought fit to pursue on this subject is so
much more consonant to the spirit Of our
institutions, and 80 much more clearly
within the line of the Executive author,
ily and duty, than that taken by bringing
on the war with Observation-Disclosures,
or that taken by his immediate prodeces.
sor in involving the United States in the
annexation of Texas-both those acts
having been done Without the previous
knowledge or consent of Congressional
we have aright to congratulate Congress
aud, through Congress, the People, up.
on having their Constitutional rights in
the Government, in this respect at least,
restored to them. It's subject Tor just
congratulation that this aronement has
been made to our violated Constitution
without a revolution or even all impeach.
ment.
With regard to the views expressed
by the President as to the duty of this
Government concerning other Govern
ments on either continent of America, wo
should, perhaps, had the President con
fined himself to Humanity as the pro.
posed ground of action, have had moth
ing to say, though we do see difficulties in
the way Of any interference by the United
States which appear to be little less than
insuperable. But, when the President,
to induce Congress to employ the arms
Of tho United States on the side of Yuca.
tan, resorts to tho same arguments which
he has heretofore urged for the ruthless
invasion of Mexico, Uhe mother country
of this same Yucatan,) we feel ourselves
bound To protest against the assumption
of any such policy, as established" or
settled" in this Government, as that IL
is to DO the GRAND PRoTECToR of all the
Powers of this continent. On this point
we have heretofore so frequently and free
ly expressed our sentiments, and especi
ally on the 2Oth Of last June in an hislor-
ical and argumentative review Of Presi,
dent Monroe's alleged policy and Presi-
dent Folks prctensions,th we shall not
at this moment, when stirring events
crowd upon US in such quick succession,
reiterate the considerations which we
thenhud o3casion to address to ourreaders.
We shall content ourselves withrepeat.
ing here the quotation which we then
made of Mr.. Polks own views of the
policy of intervention in the affairs of our
neighbors, as expressed by him in the
prime of his life, in his place as nom.
ber of the House Of Representatives of
the United States, in the debate upon a
proposition by former Administration to
nunnint miuistars IN renrasent ih;s roun.