The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-12

so' Tins advance may have preclpaied events; but
who doubts if Gen Taylor had remained at Corpus
Christi, the results would have followed ? The
commander OF the Mexican forces was ordered to attack
our army, and he would have sought II wherever 1t was
10 be iound, else he would have failed IN his ODE
dience soldier
Much stress has been laid upon the resolutions OF an
nexailon because they contained clause sublecung 10
he adjustment OF tins government OF all queslons OF
boundary that may arise with other governments ms
PROVISION furnishes my Judgment the strongest EVIL
dence OF the disposition OF government to deal CON
sideraely and kindly with Mexico, and treat her with
degree OF ceremony that would relieve all senslby as
TO the annexation of Texas, by leaving the boundary
open to negotiation and by aordng her the opportunity
OF voluntary acquescence in the recognition OF The ko
The country knows how Indignantly and insulngly she
repealed this friendly consderahonhow she scorned the
overture, and assailed our motives
1t needed no question of boundary, or admission OF
Texas to have produced state OF war with Mexico, II
such dese had been entertained. From the first dawn
OF her independence down to recent PERIOD she had re-,
ceved nothing but favor and friendship from the United
States Ourpeople almost in violation of neutrality rushed
TO her standard when she shook oft Spanish yoke and
our government the first TO Introduce her INTO the
family of nations For all this we have received perdy
and lngrattude. Our sympathy and support have been
requted with outrage and oppression upon our citizens
in violation of treaty stpul atons, providing Tor their
protection and perfect security"
1t would require avolunlnous catalogue to enumerale
the grievances and injuries suffered from that government
without resentment, and hardly with complaint 80 agrant
did these aggessons become last that the opinion OF
President Jackson they could TO longer be endured In
February, 1887 he presented them to Congress- ana de-
cared, "the length OF time since some OF these injuries
have been committed the repeated and unavang appca
tons for redress the wanton character OF some OF The
ouages upon the property and persons OF our cizens
upon the officers and flag of the United States, indepen
dent OF recent insults to this government and people by
the late extraordinary Mexican minister, would justify,
IN the eyes OF all nations, immediate war"
But, guided by forbearance, he recommended repsas
as maer mode OF redress Congress concluded 10
Van Buren, again brought the subject to the attention OF
Congress, when negotiation ensued, which, alter
years delay, ended in the convention OF 1889 need
not say what occurred under that convention Inc I'M
satisfied claims and violated rights OF many citizens OF
the United States supply the explanation.
Such is meagre outline of the events by which tins
war was brought about No man who investigates I'M
partially fail to be convinced that It was made by the
deliberate design of Mexico, manifested In the with
drawal OF her minister, her military preparations the
march of her army to the Rio del Nore, and the shed
ding of the blood of our soldiers
But take the very worst view that partisan hostility
can suggest is it less duty to support the war; now
that it has become ''naona' to use the language of
Mr. Clay 10 not the integrity OF the nation, and the
honor OF every citizen, concerned IN bringing II 70
termination that will reflect ustre upon our arms' Can
this great object be achieved by Withdrawing our troops
without treaty of peace, assuming line that would
subject us to incessan hosites, to the maintenance OF
standing army, and to incursons OF dangerous and
formidable character. think not. Peace IS the pur
pose OF the government, and the wish of the country
and there is but wayhard though it be-of attain
ing 1t and that is. to push the war until treaty is ra
of which we have the beginning and generations
unborn might never see The end n l..
duty to strengthen the of the Executive by voting
all the supplies of and money he has required, be-
cause believe il to be the true mode OF sustaining my
country in this hour of necessity We have had fearful
warnings of the danger of extending domnions and
of acquiring territory from Mexico. Rome and the an
Gent republics have been cited examples for our ad
monton, because they fell from the superncumbence
of their weight The illustration is unfortunate. What
principle in common there between the institutions
of Rome and those of this republic Was there writ
ten constitution? Had they limitations of power? Was
each department of the government check upon the
oher Were her people the descendants of those who
achieved liberty by their blood, rather were they not
the oscourngs of the EARTH who sought refuge in Rome,
and afterwards carried conquest abroad for selfish aggran
dzement' This apprehension of extending our laws
and institutions over new country has been the scare
Of one party for half century. There was to be
an incurabe crisis when Louisiana purchased-noth
ing short of ruin when Florida was ceded-and immediate
dissolution when Texas was annexed. Thank Col we
have survived all these Shocks and this glorious Union
of ours with its brilliant armament of thirty stars, for
Iowa and Wisconsin may be called sisters in coRfedera-
cy) is this day more compact and cemened than sixty
years ago, when it numbered but the " old Thirteen"
am believer in that destiny which contemplats the
spread and of free the face of
this continent There sympathy magnetic charm
in republican institutions which, kndled spreads
with the stride of electricity Our revolution, more than
any other cause, contributed to the events OF 9S IN
France and onward march and miraculous achieve
ments in the arts and Sciences manufactures and in
all that makes people happy and prosperous have at
raced to us the eyes of the civilized world and made to
rembe thrones that have stood the test OF Mex-
co. in making the election of this war; has fastened the
work. which inevitable destiny would have some day
accomplished 1t may be well for her-it cannot injure
u.s. Her ndistinct idea of freedom may become en-
ghened under the wholesome restraints OF our system,
and may enable us to carry the great work. until
standard shall wave in peaceful triumph over free and
happy people, with equal laws and equal rights.
Veryrespectfully,,
W. B. MACLAY.
To. VIM. S CoNELY, esq, and committee.