Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-01-14
From the Petersburg Republican.
THE TAYLOR WINGS AND THE WAR

HE la LUX W HIN1O AMI 1HE w An.
The following article from the New York
Mirror, we'll known as an early and prom-
nent advoca,e of Gen. Taylor for the Preslden-
cy, probably indicates pretty correctly the
view taken of the war by the Taylor wing OF
the whig party 1t does not square we'll at
all with the Lexington Platform" Nor, IN
deed, is it easy to see how the Taylor wings
can censure, as the Mirror does, the march of
our troops to the Rio Grande cas- pFeclplta-
ting the war; when the official documents
show that the General himself first suggested
and aduiSed that movement as tending to ia
ciitate Negotiations, and then approved it an
the same ute,c after it had been determined up
on -
{" The Wings and the Har.-It is not just
to the whole wing party to charge it with the
improperly of such resolutions and such tone
of thought as characterized the meetings al
Lexington and the Tabernacle. The whole
party is not so swayed by mere abstract prin-
ciples as to be willing to place the country in
false position Mr.. Dudley Selden, in his
able speech, commented on the language of
Earl Chatham in relation to America Did
Mr.. Selden forget, or was he ignorant, that
America was as much part OF the British en-
pire as Scotland, and that the contest was be-
tween wronged subjects and an depressing
government The principles involved in that
struggle were as important to Eng gland as to
America. 1t was the principle of freedom "a
gainst the principle of despotsm
$50 in the late French wars, Mr.. Fox de-
monstrated their impolicy and their wicked
ness, because England undertook to support
the aristocracy of other countries against the
democracy; because England claimed the right
Is ;,,@ a., IF n
neighboring country. But this war, which
we at first considered unnecessary, and now
consider precipitaed by the march to the Rio
Grande, is different in character from war of
conquest, though it may result in war of
conquest. The popular feeling of Mexico
was in favor of a war with the United States.
National vanity suggested victories and re-
ven6e The whole spirit of Mexico was mar
| tial, her preparations were extensive, and the
orders of her executive contemplated speedy
conflict Was the first man killed Mexican
or an American Was the first man taken
American Was Taylor attacked, or did he
take the nitiative' AS for the proper boun-
Diary of Texas, we cannot find how the gene
raj government could fix it contrary to the act
of the legislature of Texas And how has
this war been conducted on our part: AS no
war has ever vet been conducted. Prisoners
released by thousands-oficers patroIed by
hundreds found fighting against us--our woun'
ded. too feeble even to raise an arm, were mas
sacred most brutally-their wounded treated
with every care.
"To give one instance: An officer in oul
army, severely wounded at Churubusco, was
actually obliged TO pay four dollars day a
an hotel in the city of Mexico, because we
were so rdcuously generous as not TO billie
ourselves on the inhabitants. There is bu
one way TO bring Mexico to her senses; tina
is, to visit her with actual war-a war il
which she will suffer as well by the exhaus
ton of her resources as by the destruction O
her armies To retire from Mexico withou
indemnity and security, would be an effort o
folly TO which all history shows no parallel