Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-09-22

C. l.. sHoLEs, EDITOR.
Tuesday, September l9, IS4s.
That unjust and unconstitutional
War--Gen. Taylor its authOr--
The Documents.

The Documents.
From the first commencement of the Mexican
until its termination, the wing party were un-
ceasing in their denunciaton of it as unjust, uncon
stitutonal, wicked, murderous &c; and it is not
forgotten that that party, the moment they got con-
troll of the lower branch of the general government
passed solemn official act, declaring the war un-
just and unconstitutional. Well what say the
whig> was the immediate cause OF this unjust and
unconstitutional war. Search their declarations
through and you have but one answer: the unne-
cessary movement of the american army from Cor
pus Christi TO the disputed territory of the Rio
Grande. That, say they, is the cause of the war.
We think they were not far from right. For it is
clear If the American and Mexican armies had ne
yer come in contact there would have been no fight
ing, and that the Mexicans would have crossed the
wilderness of the Rio Grande to seek the Americans
at Corpus Christi, is not very probable. But let
the wings have their own way, and admit that the
war was occasloned by the march of the American
army on the Rio Grande, the documents then show
that ZACHARY TAYLOR was the main instru-
ment in originating that war. Let US see if such
is not the fact In the first place we quote from
letter of the Secretary oGWar addressed under date
of Oct 16 to Gen. Taylor at Corpus Christi, fol-
lows
OUGHT YOUR PRESENT POSITION TO
BE CHANGED! the forces which are, soon Will
be assembled under your command, be kept togeth-
or divided and, if divided, what positions are
to be taken, and how they TO be divided! These
are questions which must be In a measure lelt to
YOUR JUDGMENT, or, at least, the decision upon
them here if there be time, will be influenced in no
inconsiderable degree by the information and views
which YOU may furnish the department.
Now we do not claim that the quotation we shall
next make from the letter of Gen TAYLOR has any
connection with this quotation, for the dates forbid
anysuch conclusion. We make this TO show the ex-
tent to which the department at Washington relied
on the advice and opinions of Gen. Taylor in the
rontier movements and operations Observe the
first question, "Ought your present position to be
changed!' and again, ''the decision upon them here
if there be time, will be influenced in no nconsid-
cradle degree by the information and view. which
you may furnish" Thus, it will be SEEM that Gen
Taylor had the power pretty much in his own hands
to dictate his own movements. Whilst this letter
was on its way to Gen. Taylor one from him, an
der date of Corpus Christi, October 1, was on its
way to the Secretary of War. 1t contained the
germ of the Mexican war, as follows:
1t is with great Difference that make sugges'
tons on topics which may become matters OF deli
cate negotiatiqr bat -four government, in settling.
the question otfoundary, designs to make the Rio,
Grande an ultipatQm cannot doubt that the set
Element will be greatly facilitated and FASTENED by
taking possession at once OF one or two suitable
points ON or QUITE NEAR that river. Our
strength ard state OF preparation should be display
ed i'll manner not to be mistaken. However sal
utary the effect produced upon the border people by
our presence here we are TOO FAR from the from
tier to impress the government of Mexico with our
readiness to vindcate by force OF arms il necessary
our title to the country as far as the Rio Grandc.
! There you have the whole story of the move
ment of the American troops upon the Rio Grande.
The Government says, Gen. Taylor you are where
you can comprehend the necessary steps to be taken
and we shall have TO defer to you in this matter
Gen. Taylor says do not doubt that settlement
of our difficulties would be facilitated BY our taking
possession at once of one or two posts on the Rio
Grande, for by that means we shall strike terror
into the heart of the Mexican government and com
pei them to accede to our terms. Gen. Taylor
here recommended the fatal error OF endeavoring to
intmidate the Mexicans which error was the i'm.
mediate cause of ali subsequent difficulties 1t was
an experiment, and as the result proves, most ia
tai one Well the very next letter from the wal
department to Gen. Taylor, under date of January
49, contains the following
Sir am directed by the President to instruc
you to advance and occupy, with the troops unde
your command, positions ON or NEAR the cas-
bank of the Rio Grande'
Gen. Taylors letter o advice was written Oct
4, and the reply of the department, January 3
The department says when there is time, we shall
be influenced in our decisions by the information
and views which you may furnish. There seems
to have been time on this occasion, and the orders
OF the department corresponded with the advice o
Gen. Taylor We leave it to readers to draw the
inference. But further, in accordance with thes,
orders Gen. Taylor lost no time in moving dowr
upon the Rio Grande He arrived there and unde
date OF April &, whites to the department. Aftel
speaking Of the weakness of the Mexicans he says
g On our side battery for four S-pounders vii
be completed, and the guns placed in battery today
These guns bear directly upon the public square o
AIatamoras. and within good range for demolshIne
the town. Their OBJECT CANNOT BE MIS-
TAKEN BY the enemy, aud will, think, etleotu-
ally restrain him from any enterprises on our sid,
of the river"
This is your anti war party candidate for The
Presidency. lie thought by moving down to the
Rio Grande and making great display, We SHOULD
strike terror to the heart Of Mexico and Fighter
her to our terms That is what the four eighteen
Founders bearing upon the public square of Malta
moras and in convenient range for demolshing tht
town, were intended for But there was an unior
tuna,e misunderstanding in the premises. The
Mexicans not knowing that all this was intended
only TO frighten them rnstooA the object, and con
siderinE 1t earnest crossed the river 10 dislojst
this battery pointed at the heart of theiI town ans
convenient TO demolish it. Here then this wicked
unjust, and unconstitutional war commenced, anl
we have shown pretty cleaily who was the mali
author it. Bat Tom Corwin says, Gen Taylor l.
not to blame in the premises, for he was only too
OF the Administration President Polk commandet
u