The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-04-18
THE GALAXY.
MIDDLEBURY.VT.
Tuesday, april Is, 1913.
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.

"
As we intimated, "a week or two since, we believe
that those:who are now exhibiting so great a
delight at the result of gthe deliberations of our
Senate,i respect to theTreaty with Mexico,are
little premature in their manifestations of
Joy. Could we be assured, indeed, that this
unnatural and unnecessary contest with a
feeble and disorganized Republic on our bor-
ders, was now forever at an end, we cannot
conceive Of any event more worthy to be hail
ed with universal graduation and thanksgiy-
ing. We do not in the least wonder at the
manifest feeling of relief and consolation, with
which the Loco Foco press everywhere seize
upon even the most questionable indications of
a permanent cessation of hostilities. The par
tizans of the Administration know but too well
that the inception of this war is indefensible,
that its prosecution has been unpopular, that
its results will be, for years to come, most dis
astrous to our country. We doubt not that
the author and mover of this aggression is him
self heartily tired of his unrighteous measures
that he looks back upon the three years OF
his term already past, with more than mo-
mentary regret for the fruitlessness Of his eff
forts to secure even selfish ends,-for the deep
and appalling responsibilities which he can
never shake off, for the wretchedness, and
anguish which he has ncedlessly caused, and
bo oop Dova,-
When Mr. Polk entered on the Admins
tration, he made great professions Of patriot
ism and integrity: he promised, though elect
ed by party, to be the President of the peo-
pie. His plausible language, his tone of mod
Grafton and candor, did much, in many minds
that had before looked with contempt upon his
qualifications, to excite sympathy in his be-
half-a hope that, at least in so far as his ca
pacities would allow, he would devote himself
to a conscientious discharge of the duties con-
stitutionally devolved upon him, and to a full
flment of the desires of the more prudent and
considerate portion of his party. In this, how
ever, we were doomed to speedy disappoint-
ment. Conscious of his inferior talents, the
new President dreaded nothing so much as a
quiet and inglorious administration. He long
ed, more than all things, for something that
would make his reign memorable-and chose,
rather than to be:forgotten, to make himself
notorious.
Finding England too formidable an enemy
to cope with-as he seems at first to have de-
termined-he cast about him, with charac-
teristic littleness of mind, for some feebler foe
with whom ultimate triumph could not admit
of doubt, and over whom, without hazard, he
might be assured of victory. From all his first
proceedings with regard to Mexico, it is evil
dent that he had formed very contemplate
opinion of the military strength and resources
of that Republic, and calculated thatshe would
become an easy victim to his schemes. Ac
cordingly, he set about provoking that power,
IN all conceivable WAYS, to commit some act of
violence, which should serve as pretext to
cover his purpose of invasion. He ordered an
army to the Rio Grande, within territory
which the more candid of his own party have
avowed to belong to Mexico, and which even
his most strenuous defenders will admit to have
been left for future negotiation-and ofwhich,
therefore, we had no right to possession An
other force, too, was sent to take possession Of
California-without even the shadow of a pre-
text.
The result is known. Mr.. Polk found the
occasion he had sought. The invasion of Mex
leo was at first ostensibly begun, for the pur-
pose of bringing Mexico speedily and effect
ually to account, for the slaughter of our citi-
zens onwhat was now first absolutely assumed to
be American soil. Again, it was said to be
for the purpose of compelling Mexico to pay
the three or four millions of dollars due our
citizens. Once more, it was to avenge the in
suit offered TO our government in the person
of its minister. Indeed, to attempt to follow
out all the reasons that have been assigned for
the invasion would be an endless task. The
hollowness and heartlessness of all these pre-
texts is so sensibly felt by the Administration &
its friends, that no one of them,-no, nor all
will satisfy even their own accom-
modating consciences.
If the War is waged to secure an assent to
the annexation of Texas, why was not our
government satisfied 20 make peace when Mex
leo was willing to accept such terms? If pay
ment OF the debts ofour citizens was the main
object, why continue the contest when that
could be secured? fla severe chastisement
was thought necessary for the slaughter of our
men on this side the Rio Grande, why would
not the battles of Monterey, and Buena Vista,
Of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo, amply suf-
fee?
But no, Our government aspired after
more territory, and more territory it would
have Other and bloodier battles had to be
foueht-other and Of possible) drawer men