The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-28

VIOV IEiTt
kindness for series OF years forgotten and disegarded
her solemn treaties OF amy and intercourse set at naught
her promises OF indemnity cluzens, for her out
rageous aggressons upon their persons and property vo
lated and our urgent and friendly offer OF negotiation
nsutngy and haughty rejected Is not passing strange
then that we md IN this country great Intelligent and
patriotic party almost unanimously opposing the prosecu-
on OF the war, sympahizlng with the enemy and heap
ing unmeasured abuse upon the administration! Is 1t not
strange that there is any division amongst us; that we
should not all be thoroughly united the policy and pro-
prey OF prosecuting the war, until our enemy shall be
orce 10 do US ample justice and conclude ateaty which
shall secure permanent peace for the uure But 1t is
even much 10 the Comfort OF Mexico, and TO the
qualification of the jealous thrones of Europe.
What are the grounds on which this opposition to the
war is based Ii is said that the war was provoked by
the unnecessary and unconstitutional order OF the Presi
dent, directing General Taylor 10 advance the army OF
occupation from Corpus Christi, suitable point
on or quite near the Rio Grande
lhls assertion involves those who make II IN most
unenvabe Inconsistency. Ii is well known that as early
the Adj of October, 1915, General Taylor in com
muncaion to the Secretary OF War, advised that move
ment, He said
les which may become OF delicate negotiation but
our government, ia settling the question OF boundary,
makes The line oil the Ri. Grande utimatun cannot
doubt that the settlement will be greatly facilitated ahu
fastened ny our taking possession AT once OF one or TWO
uilabe points quite that river Oar strength
and state of peparatln should be displayed IN manner
not TO be mistaken However faaary may be me effect
Produced pom the border people by here,
too far from the frontier 10 impress the gove nnent Of
Mexico with our readiness TO vndcate by force Of arms
necessary title the country far as the Rio GTande
The army OF occupation VIII in few days be concen-
ated at this point IN condition for vigorous ana eacent
service. Mexico having Jet made POSITIVE d9ct.ra-
ton Of war; committed any overt act OF hostittes, do
not lee az hbefy under my Instructions particularly t9ie
OF JulY the 9Th, make forward movement 10 the no
Grande without authority from the War Department"
Such the advice OF General Taylor to the War
Department tleo months and half before lie was ordered
TO advance This advice qualified by single
tingency; and that is "T government, IN settling
the question Of boundary, makes the RIO Grande Wti
nahum" Now, it not universally the determination
hnp ,f
well as the government, to INSIST upon the no Grande
as western boundary! Had not the President the
right TO infer this from the legislation OF Congress- by
wnch the jurisdiction OF the United States had been
tended TO that rver anu collection district established in
the territory beyond the Nueces And sir, what was
the object of the advice of General Iayor' Was it to
provoke hosties, 10 embroil the two governments III
war By no means; but 'to facilitate and hasten the
settlement" by the display of strength and prepa
ratlons IN manner MOTTO be mistaken"
II IS SAID, however, that General Taylor modified this
advice in subsequent despatch, dated November T.,
lsla. His language Is as follows:
''The intelligence from Mexico, however, tends modi
ation. The position occupied by the troops may,
perhaps be the best while negotiations are pending, Or
Mt any rate, until disposition shall be manifested by
Mexico TO protrac them unreasonably."
So far from this being modification, il is rather repe
tton OF his advice of the 4th of October AT all events,
modhes II so far only as TO express the opinion that
the position which he then occupied Corpus Chrlst)
was 'perhaps the best while negotiations pending or
al any rale until disposition shall be manifested by
Mexico TO protract them unreasonably" Is il not evil
dent from this language that he still adhered to the poll
cy of taking position on the Rio Grande, if Mexico
should refuse unreasonaby protract negotiation Sir,
the conduct of the President accorded strictly with the
spach of the 18th of November. He did not issue the
order TO advance to the Rio Grande, in the first instance,
in accordance with the suggestions OF the commanding
general because there every reason to believe that
the negotiation about then to be entered upon would be
successful Does this exhibit desire the part of the
Executive to plunge the country in war? Or does not
trament of arms But when negotiation rejected,
and all hope of amicabe adjustment al an end the
President then thought the contingency had arrived on
which General Taylor had suggested the policy of ad-
vancing to the Rio Grande He therefore gave the
der The opinion of General Taylor was doubtless given
in good faith with the design OF preventing war 1t is
equally certain that the President adopted that opinion in
good faith, and in SINH lar spirit But because has
unfortunately ensued General Taylor is lauded to the
skies, but the President is overwhelmed with dire
cralOns,
But ii at variance with the well known facts to
sert that the march 10 the Rio Grande caused the
Mexico had protested against annexation during the pen
contamination as an act of war Upon the passage of
the resolutions for that object, she dissolved diplomatic
intercourse with the United States In July thereafter,
Garcia Conde the Mexican Secretary of War, issued the
following circulars, requiring the officers of the army to
raise the requisite number OF troops to wage war against
the United States:
"orFrcE OF WAR AND MARINE,
Section of Operations.
"The United States have consummaed the peridy
against Mexico by sancopng the decree which declares
the annexation OF the department of Texas to that republic
The injustice of that usurpaton apparent and Mexico
tort TO prove the United States the possibility her ab
Ivy her rights to be respected With this object the
suprene government has resolved upon declaration of
~ Aust that power, seeing that orhearance, in
stead OF being received as proof al our friendly dispose
ton, has been interpreted into acknowledged mpossl
billy on our part carry Il successful
Such error the OF the United States. will be
pac liic attitude, twill Tomorrow communicate Congress
the declaration Ct war and excite the patriotism It's cit