The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-17
From the New Orleans Picayune, jan
The War-Prospects.


In the announcement of Gen SCOTS order of the 18th
Decemberhe army is about to spread se over and to
occupy the republic of Mexico, until the latter shall for
peace in terms acceptabeto the of the United
States seen the commencement OF system OF opera.
tons which the events OF the past year have oreshadowed
asneytable 1t has been predicted time and again. by per-
sons whose familiarity with Mexican character entitled
their opinions to great weight that so long the govern
ment made merit OF sounding parley OF peace in the
intervals of battle, the Mexican authorities would never
come to terms From the lifting of the curtain at Pao
scene has been heraded the last act of the drama but
those who acquainted with the actors upon the bloody
stage knew better They have constantly declared that
the fobearng and generous policy pursued by gov
eminent, and pracsed by generals would fail to i'm
press the Mexican mind with the feelings of confidence
and respect for their adversary which civilized
less presumptuOus enemy would have acknowledged.
Whatever damage was done to the vanity of Mexico by
beating her armies tnkered up by prefer of peace,
which her generals construed in way to cover the de-
feas they had encountered The people could not
prehend the idea of vctos being suppcans for peace
and popular leaders were not interested in explaining the
phenomenon to them Every advance made by the army
accommodation; and in every captured city fresh modes
Of opening negotiations were devised Even before
the defehces OF the city of Mexico in view of the
spires OF her temples, and almost within the shadow
OF the "has OF the Montezumas" our bug sounded a
truce, and the tide of victory arrested The predc-
tons that were laughed at in the beginning have to
pass and the government have been compelled to with
draw our troops vigorously from the field, or charge
them with the duties and responsibilities of conquerors
Who can say what the Mexican government would
have done had our army, from the commencement of
the war, been instructed to do what Gen Scott is in the
act of doing now : Is it not probable that terms of
peace would have ere this been offered BY the van
pushed enemy? These are questions which 1T may be
idle to debate but the army, a mission of peace
has done nothing whilst in its proper calling has per-
formed wonders and this was foreold
1t is in spirit of queruousness that the mistakes of
the past cited in of the line of policy adopt
cd but in justification of change in the strategy of the
war, which is the beginning Of end that shrouded in
darkness Ihe army is about to spread itself over and to
occupy, the republic of Mexico" 1t is about to establish
civil government to certain extent-o levy and collect
tayesto lay and enforce imposts-to regulate
between the different Statesto reform the administration
of public affairs; and indeed do such other acts per-
tain to the powers of organized and established State
What this condition OF things will lead towha it ought
lead to, in the endwll depend more upon the
Mexico and Mexicans may pursue than upon any fixed
purpose IN this country to blot her out OF the list OF ma
lions.
The United States government can scarcely do less
than they doing, and the people of this country
will not be held accountable for the consequences of
forced upon them by the Oohardness of another
At any time, since the beginning of the it has been
in the power of Mexico TO her nationality by
king or listening to overtures of peace and now
terms which would leave her. sovereignty over larger
domain than she can rule intact would be embraced
with aacrity by the authorities of the United States
But what will become of her. if she pause till the army
stretch its arms to all places of her PRIDE and lay its
hands upon all the towers of her strength And what
yet if the infauaton of her chiefs detan the military
governments Of the United States in their midst till the
better order of Mexcans claim the protection of power
whose martial law is milder in enforcing order than tn,
governments they have been accustomed to in fail
ing to do sol The army is about to spread itself owe
and occupy Mexico till the Mexican republic " shall
sue for peace in terms acceptable to the United States
When will that be What indications are there tina
il will ever be Ii is the misfortune of Mexico, tina
those who would her do her HARM those qcho u
thus country they are amongst the greatest and bes
of the Lnd-,cho 1roud not take inch of her TERRITORY
'6M Keep the issue open. Whilst Congress is debating