The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-21
THE UNION.
For the Union.


n ieW Jays past, whilst reading some Mexican docu-
Ihehis was Tor short time called off; and on returning
picked up paper and continued reading The article
commenced was violent and abusive and abounded in
ueenunclauons OF the President of the United States,
charging on hun the whole responsibility and actual
commencement of the war, &C. &c
ielt Indignant at the and substance of the
marks, and thought that they undignfed and
worthy even OF Mexican authorship How is il posi-
ble thought l. that Mexico call this the PRESIDENT
war;, and charge its commencement on him? To do So
she must alsfy all her own declarations sand acts and
now contemplate to deal In such gross mlsrepresena
ions and paltry abuse Happening at this time TO turn
over the paper found that had, by mistake taken up
The National lntelligencer
This little incident has led me TO conclude that this
Mexican war has two aspects-one between nation
and naon the other home view; and that it is deemed
perfectly legitimate in the discussion of the latter TO as
sign motives and alege facts which would be utterly
preposterous and absurd In the discussion of the former
AS between Mexico and the United States, the fact
10 when and by whom the war commenced ought to
be easily determined, whether we look at the professions
or acts OF the parties.
Any foreign statesman would say that the passage of
the Rio Grande by the Mexican army and capture of Capt
Ihornton the 26th of April 1885, was the commence.
ment of the war
On the oath of April General Arisa and staff might
nave visited General Taylors camp, and been received
with courtesy, and departed unmoesied Up this time
no American officer soldier would have felt authorized
to fire on Mexican and take his life Nay further
man IN the American army supposed that at
with Mexlco and the prevailing opinion was, that there
would be no hostltes; and they entirely ignorant
that there was Mexican army in their vicinity, beyond
From the time of the annexation of Texas TO the attack
on Capt. Thornton, Mexico was determined on To
be sure her declarations and threats lightly thought
OF IN the United States and considered bravado but
her positive acts remove all doubts to her intentions
She declared that the annexation of Texas would be
considered cause of war-her minister was withdrawn
she refused to listen to our proposasshe made prepare
tons, increased her army and finally made the attack
Whilst we spoke OF peace. Mexico spoke of war. Even
Swallowed forth. There is no evidence that Herrea's
administration for moment abandoned its warke de-
signs, There is no Mexican address which does not
speak OF war inevitable And the overthrow of Her.
rera and establishment OF Paroles early in December,
s45 and the subsequent orders to, and movements OF
the Mexican armies, conclusvely show that the
Of Mexico entirely Independent Of and uncontrolled by,
the location or action of the American army.
The actual commencement of hosties, and the perse
yerance OF Mexico in continuing the under the most
disastrous defeats, and the occupation of large portion
OF her territory, and her capital by armies,
show stubborn determination and tenacity of purpose,
which give weight and importance to the declarations
and threats made prior and subsequent to the annexa
ton of Texas We are forced to the conclusion, that
those declarations were too lightly estimated at the
time, and that Mexico would have consummaed her
infatuated policy by attacking Texas, if the American
army had never passed the Sabine or by attacking that
army, had remained at the mouth of the Nueces by
attacking if, she did, on the Rio Grande.
The amount and organization of the Mexican army at
the time of the attack Gen. Taylor is conclusive evil
dence to me that the war had long been determined on
by Mexico That country has militia the people are
disarmed excepting the banditti and few rancheros
the frontiers there is portion Of the population the
raise equip, and drill Mexican army The regular
forces under Cen Arsa in the valley of the Rio Grande,
on the Goth OF April 1916, exceeded 10000 men, and
rior. For months before that time, had repeated
information that Mexico was enlarging her army, and
that they were marching north. We little needed
the reports, but the result shows that they were
true Some OF the regiments under Arsta had to march
upwards of thousand miles. and others five six
hundreds and the whole must have been the way
IaVlOr
the mouth OF the Nueces and long before the Mexican
government could possibly be apprized of that move
ment
About the time that Mr. Slidell arrived in Mexico we
had information OF troops marching from that city for
what was to be the seat OF war; and before he received
his final answer movements were made from every quar-
ter; and finally orders of attack were issued by the
Mexican government, in December, 1915, more than
two months before General Taylor broke up his camp
at Corpus Christi. And further, hundreds of letters
addresses, and proclamations of Mexican Presidents
governors, generals, &c. &C., published, all de-
nouncing and Boosting of trumphs to be achieved
and none alleging any other cause OF complaint than the
annexation of Texas.
1t does not become Mexico to say that we commenced
the war and do not think she has said will say
This matter, however, as home question, and for
home consumption, has entirely different aspect,
| rather variety of aspects.
whom, war was commenced yet venture to say that it
is easier to line of the colors OF the rainbow determine
the longitude. or say who was the man with the white
hat" than to tell when the Mexican war began
The democrats for the most part, think that the
commenced when the fighting began; but this does not
suit large partisan class who not disposed to let
President off easy with them, public virtue consists
IN charging the worst motives and most vicious acts
their opponents There their craftsmanship begins, and
their patriotism ends What matters it, if the interests
and honor OF the country suffer- that the President be
roundy rated and sufficiently abused? Its Presi-
dent, and nobodys business" And 1t is certainly more
important to ferret and pry out materials for partisan
at home than to provide magazines and reinocements
to sustain army abroad.
But these do not agree amongst themselves to
when the began although they are very positive
that it was unnecessarily and unconstitutonay begun
by the President"
| propose in all kindness to examine some of the
various grounds assumed by those who advocate this
position; for | have great admiration of political
Taylor for the presidency who have voted that he
in the midst OF warwhen, poor old General he was kiss
ing his hands across the Rio Grande in the most conci
atoy manner and writing to the President that he
no way uneasy, and did not think there would be
breach of the peace.
1t vastly unkind in the President not to have in
formed Gen. Taylor, that he had commenced the
some weeks months before the attack Capt Thorn
ton Had he done so, the old hero would have had
Point Isabel better guarded Fort Brown better supplied
ard, suppose, he would have called for volunteers and
Austin.
But pardon this DEPRESSION | have no doubt General
Taylor fully appreciates the effect the of his friends
will have on his military fame, and knows how to rec
oncile his position with theirs.
To proceed The first class of politicians will notice,
those who contend that the annexation of Texas be-
gan the war Their position is, that Texas was at
with Mexico; and when she was embraced within the
Union, her with Mexico was assumed, &c. sc.
LIT L..x