The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-12
The War Meeting In New York.

The War Meeting Ia New York.
For the last ten days have been anxious to
find or make space in our columns for the publication
of the following series of letters from the several disn
guished gentlemen in reply to their invitations to tax
part IN the recent great demonstration of the democracy
OF the Empire City favor of sustaining the war and the
policy OF the administration. publish them now with
the more pleasure because of the soundness and the i'm
porance OF the patriotic sentiments which they all ex-
press, and because of the argumenatve ability and force
with which the more elaborate of them discuss the
ton OF the war This circumstance will fully justify
to our readers in giving up these letters this evening
no small portion of our columns.
From Hon. George NJ Dallas.
WASHINGTON, January 25, 1913.
GENTLEMEN: am honored by your invitation to be
present at the meeting of democratic electors of the
city OF New York, held Saturday evening next "for
the purpose OF approving and sustaining the patriotic
course OF the administration of the general government in
conducting the war with Mexico;" and | regret that
my public engagements necessarily preclude its accept
ance.
The war merits, at this moment the almost exclusive
attention OF the American people 1t is their present
CHIEF concern and cannot too promptly, too empha
cay be made to receive fresh impulse from their will
Heretofore embraced by them with enthusiasm
say to their union honor and interests it has been
characterized, at every stage OF its progress by their
mingled traits OF energy, courage, perseverance, and
patriotism. Our armies rapidly emerged from our mass
es and have been true TO their representative mission
They have sought the enemy at every of his posts
they have pursued him through wastes and deserts, in
rocky goges, and marshy dehles, mountains and
rivers, within numberless forts, batteries castles and
citades and they have achieved a triumph wherever
they found him They have finally planted our meteor
flag on the highest turret of the Mexican capital, and
standing round that symbol OF national strength, in the
centre of millions of foes they are prepared prof
fer sereney and sincerely honorable peace total sub
Ijugatlon.
Is there any other alternative reconcileabe to the hui
mainly, power, sell. respect conscious integrity and
Renor institutions Of the people Of the United States
can have but one wise, natural and legitimate end-peace
or subugaion
Nor yet at liberty to consider peace-a firm du-
rable and cementng peace-atogether unattanable
hus tar we have sought in vain to elicit Just from
the central government of the Mexican conederacy
long welded by hearlless military usurpers But THAT is
not the only government to which overtures OF concia
ton can be addressed Our armies, indeed, in carrying
out enlarged principles of benefcent reform, might be
directed to overthrow and extnguish what has been
profgaely perverted and then, approaching step
to the rghtul soveregns, the people themselves
we could treat separately with the respective States
he dissolution of the central authority, destroying moth
ing but means of combined action, would at once give
to each member OF the conederacy the independent right
Of self preservation, with the powers of peace and war
Nor should feel to many treaties of amity
as there Mexican States rather than be driven to the
other branch OF the subjugation. Such
course OF proceeding we have some reason TO believe
II must rekinde and nvgorate the intercourse OF trade
inspire the unknown of security to person and
property dfuse correct sentiments OF social liberty and
Order and quietly well speedily prepare their several
communities for the happy destiny of Incorporation into
our Union.
If, however, moody obstinacy is everywhere to be
substituted for political wisdom, and the forbearance OF
the American people, so strongly tempted by wonderful
successes still to be outraged by gasconade and
tempt, do hope that, whenever and wherever multi
tudes of my countrymen shall assemble, they will mani
fest their usual and unabated spirit, their mistaken
lance upon the justice of their and their manly
faith in the capacity of their institutions to meet with
safety all the emergencies and obligations OF national
progress, which cannot be stayed without national dis
grace. Let not shrink from subjugatng implacable
enemies, when we know that by so doing we shall adj
vance the great objects of cvilization-when we know
that TO teach them the only true ways to lib
ery, elf.government, prosperity and happiness. OPP
posed am to receive permanently into the family OF
American freemen those who unwilling to enter it,
yet discover in noble institution of government
nothing not perfectly equal to the vast task which may
be assigned to it by the resisess force OF eventshe
guardianship of a crowded and conederated continent
Thanking you for your obligng remembrance of me.
remain, very respectfully your friend and fellow citizen,
G. M. DALLAS.
To VIM S. CoNELY, esq, and Committee.