New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-02-04
~eraror johnson OF Maryland.

Il Is no. inconsistent with personal regard nor
with confidence unbounded in his patriotism, 10 say
that We think this gentleman IS egregously mista-
ken in material facts rs to the origin and purposes
of the war with Mexico, and that his erroneous
judgment is pernicious in proportion to hrs upright
ness aud force Of character: but without stopping
nov to discuss these points. it may be allowed US
to put to him one or two plain questions. IN reier
ence 10 declarations contained in his speech. aud
in connection with the proposition to place in the
hands Of the Executive 10000 additional soldiers
at an expense 20 this nation his constituents among
the rest, Of some additional $4,000 600 year
He is for prosecuting the war because 1t will
bring Mexico to consent to terms of peace but
does he not kno'r that the Presdent-hss not the
latter even said-thst he will not consent 10 make
peace-on the terms that Mr.. Johnson says would
be honorable and ought to be accepted, viz on the
line Of the Rio Grande, without any farther, or as
Mr. Johnson would say. without any accession OF
territory Does he not know that it rests exciu-
sively with the President and the myrmidons
around him. to say what IS honorable peace
and that they go N for territory, and will not sign
a peace without il ? Why then vote an army OF
10000 men and hundreds Of millions of money,
when he knows they will be used for purposes, far
beyond what he himself says we oughtto demand
Suppose these men, bred in the corruption OF the
motto Of the political freebooter that TO the vicors
belong the spells" suppose they were to demand
5O,o 600 more regular troops would he grant these
also Is there to be no limit to submission 10
Executive demands Why before he grants
more men and money, does he not ask the Ex-
ecutve where, at what point, he will be satisfied
in his demands on Mexico But why ask He
already knows that the President, with whom alone
it rests to suspend the operations OF the war Will
demand terms as a sane Qsd non OF peace, winch he
Mr. JOHNSON himself says, if granted and acceded
&c, would endanger the existence Of the Union.
Again: Before he consents to plunge his State and
the Union deeper in debt, ought ne not to require
provision to be made for the payment Of what is
due or at least for the payment OF what is yet to
be Contracted Is it fair or honest to be heaping
up an enormous debt upon posterity As TO the
design Of the Executive to seize on Mexico and
hold IT, his incredulity on that point does more
credit to his magnanimity than bis discernment.
Has he ever known the progress Of conquest and
absorption to be rapid and unequivocsl in the
history Of the world Look at the unsurpassed
opinion Of the Army-yes, the officers Of the Army
forsoo,h AS coming to Us through the Government
organ. Look already. at the resolutions submitted
in both Houses Of Congress. Doubtless, with the
Army we shall have in Mexico, all the capitals and
State Governments in Mexico may be captured and
suppressed: and having extinguisned their Gov
ernments, and the spirit Of their people, and sll
means Of concert nth t-kon are re 70 make peace
And what will be lief. US bat to hold Oh upon the
Province l-especialy when, and it. as Mr.
JOHNSON contends it may be had without dollar
Of cost to our people With an army in Mexico o.
10000 disciplined troops be hasresd human nature
to little purpose who. believes they can be with
drawn and the country relinquished. Blind must
he be, who does not see that we are in a fair way
to earn for country that character for rapacity
which our fathers taught TO hold in detestation,
and to regard as the iorerunner Of our own ruin.