The North-Carolina standard., 1848-02-02
THE wAR-pRosPEcTs.

In the announcement of Gen. Scotts order of the
18th Decembef-" the army is about to spread itself
and to occupy the republic of Mexico, until the
latter shall sue for peace in acceptable to the
government of the United States 'is seen the COM
mencement of system of operations which the
events of the past year have foreshadowed ineya
ble 1t has been predicted, time and again. by per-
whose familiarity with Mexican character
tied their opinions to great weight, that so long as
the government made merit of sounding parley of
peace in the intervals of battle the Mexican authori
ties would never come to terms From the lifting of
the curtain at Palo Alto, to the grand finale before
the city of Mexico, every scene has been heraIded
as the last act of the drama but those who are ac-
ualnted with the actors upon the bloody stage knew
better. They have constantly declared that the for
bearing and generous policy pursued by govern
ment, and practised by generals, would fail to
impress the Mexican mind with the feelings of conf
dence and respect for their adversary which more
| civilized or less presumptuous enemy would have
| acknowledged. Whatever damage was done to the
vanity of Mexico by beating her armies, tink-
cred up by profer of peace, which her generals
construed In way to the defeats they had
| countered.> The people could not comprehend the
idea of vlctors being suppicants for peace and pop
ular leaders not interested in explaining the
phenomenon to them. Every advance made by the.
army was point gained, from which to make new
| overtures of accommodation; and in every captured
city fresh modes of opening negotiations devils
ed. Even before the defences of the city Mexico in
view OF the spires of her temples and almost within
the shadow of the ss halls of the Montezumas,' -
buges sounded truce, and the tide of victory
arrested. The predietionsSthat Were laughed at in
ment nave been compelled to withdraw our troops
inglorousy from the field, ,.or charge them with the
duties and responsibilities of conquerors.
| Who can say what the Mexican government would
have done had army, from the commencement of
the war, been instructed to do what Gen. Scott is
the act OF doing now Is it not probable that terms
of peace would have, this been offered by the
vanquished enemy? These are questions which it
| AaI H. I
sion of peace has done nothing, whilst in its proper
calling it has performed wonders and this was fore
| told.
1t is in spirit of querulousness that the mistakes
of the past cited, in view of the line of po-
cy adopted; but in justification of change in the
strategy of the war, which is the beginning of an
| end that is shrouded in darkness. " The army is
about to spread itself over and to occupy the repub
lie OF Mexico. 1t is about to establish civil gov
eminent to certain extent-to levy and collect
taxes-to lay and enforce imposts-to regulate COM
merce between the different States-to reform the ad-
mlnlstratlon of public affairs; and, indeed do such
other acts pertain to the powers of organized
and established State What this condition of things
will lead to-what it ought to lead to, in the end
will depend more upon the course Mexico and Mexi-
cans may pursue, than upons any fixed purpose in
this country to blot her out of the list of nations
| The United States government can scarcely do less
than they are now doing, and the people of this
country will not be held accountable for the
quenees of career forced upon them by the fool
hardness of another. AT any time since the begin
ming of the war; it has been in the power of Mexico
to secure her nationality by making or listening
ovcrtures of peace and even now, terms which
would leave her IN sovereignty over larger domain
than she rule intact would be embraced with aac-
rlty by the authorities of the United States. But
what will become of her, if she pause till the army
stretch its all the places of her prde and lay
hands upon all the towers of her strength And what
yet if the intatuation of her chiefs detan the militia
ry governments of the United States in their midst
till the better order of Mexicans claim the protection
of power whose martial law is milder in enforcing
order than the governments they have been accustom
ed to were in failing to do so? The army is about
spread itself and occupy Mexico till the Mex-
republic shall for peace in terms acceptable
to the United States.'' When will that bea What
indications there that it will ever be- 1t is the
misfortune of Mexico, that those who would serve
her do her harm those 1UhO in this counfry-and they
are amongst the greatest and best Of the Ann6-,Cho
aOouH not take inch Of her territory, but keep the
issue open. Whilst Congress is debating, and states
men building up theories, and politicians lingering
the public pulse, the Esarmy spreading itself overs
and whilst the agitation of topics connected with the
war is kept up, it is &c occupying the republic of
Mexico."+ The energies, enterprise, and wilfuness
ESQ to speak of bolder and superior are per-
meang the hills and valleys of the overrun republic.
Nor is it prophetic of the long dominion of hybrid
people, to have their flowers scented by army of
j on origin. We may condemn, may argue against
the tendencies of of men of higher organiza-
ton, bolder hearts, enterprisng minds, of
perlor thews and muscles, and stouter wills, to sup
plant weak and emasculated tribes; good authority
can be evoked to show how wrong all this is homi-
lies to this day written against the pilgrim faith
ers for eeetng the savages from the primeva forests
OF the north; butt until the eoquence of ethics can
melt human nature and mould it anew, apprehend
| the world will wag much after the old fashion.
n scrap of philosophy, moral essay, politi-
cal disquiston, countervail the dangerous odor
OF fields in perennial blossom to army of Anglo
Saxons. Neto Orleans Picayune.
3 ~.