Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-02-18

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE PEACE I'VE ask
why, now sthat we have almost annihilaled
Mexico--conquered large portion OF her ter
possession of her principal sea-
ports and cities-whipped her onevery battle
field-why, we ask, does she still refuse to
make peace on any honorable terms , The
only answer, the only possible solution, we
can give to this question is to be found in the
course of the Federal party in this country.
The Mexicans think that if they can only
hold on till the termination of the coming Pres
idential campaign, then their friends, the Fed
eralists, will be in power, and they can make
peace on their own terms. Surely they have
reason to calculate thus, from the course OF
that party during the past fifteen months
They are foolishly led to believe that the Fed
eral party will be in power after the 4th OF
March, 1849-that the war is extremely un-
popular in the United States, and that once
their friends, the Wings, are in power, the
American troops will be Withdrawn, and they
can settle up accounts upon their OWE terms.
Indeed, we think this is very natural reason
ing, from the facts before them, on the part of
the Mexcans. For have they not been told
by that party during the past IL or 8 months,
in every way in which they could be told,
that they, the Federalists, are opposed to the
war-that they regard it as unjust, Ubiquitous.
and unchrstan, on the part OF the United
States. Has the whole Federal press not said
so, from Maine to Texas Has not the most
eminent men in that party-its acknowledged
eaders-not said so, in their public speeches
and their public writings? Has not the Wig
House of Representatives pronounced, IN the
most solemn manner, its unconsttutionality !?
And with all these facts before them, we a.
gain ask if the Mexicans have not just cause
to reason if they only can hold on for twelve
months longer, and this party gets III power,
they will have glorious times. Is this not We
ry fair reasoning upon the part of the Mexl-
cans? Now just suppose the case was rever-
sed, and we here in this country had learned au-
chemically that in Mexico there was great,
powerful party, who were in favor Of ma
| king an immediate, and for us favorable, peace,
so soon as they would getin power; and sup
pose further that we were led to believe that
that (our) party would, in the course of few
months, get the reins in their own hands,
would it not be natural for us to say-Well,
let us hold on till our friends get in power,
and then we can get favorable arrangement
"a treaty on our own terms We wonder If
the Wing leaders ever think of this But the
poor Mexicans we fear, unfortunately for
themselves, are luxuriating in dream which
will 11ever be realized The Federal party
cannot get the power in this country. Indeed
we think the chances for that party's getting
the ascendant, are more remote now Than
they have been for years back So that we
think the Wing party are not only acting most
alphabetically, so far as their own country if
concerned, but they are also pursuing course
which will, in the long run, be vastly injuri
Gus 10 the very people for whom they profes:
so much sympathy. For surely there is nc
man of ordinary sagacity who does not see
that the longer the contest is carried on-the
more life and treasure the United States ex
pend in the prosecution of the Wharf.-The heav
Ter the bill of costs will be which Mexico will
have to foot, when the matter is finally adjust
ed. But the Wing party, in its infurated op
position TO the administration, seem blind Il
all the dictates not only of patriotism, but o
common sense. So convinced are we of this
, that we venture to predict that the presen
generation will not pass away Gre those whc
are now figuring conspicuousIy as the oppo
nents of the present war, will be as anxious
to bury in oblivion that opposition as are thu
, Federalists who opposed the war of 1912.