Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-01-13

delphia, Ktterey and Pensacola will be made the
ject OF special Report.
From the NeO Orleans Picayune IndeOendent Wing.
The Real Cause of the War.
1t seems US that Mr. Clay has not made out ms
case IN denOuncng the unjust, by proving that
the primary cause of il was the annexation of Texas
He must further prove that annexation was wanton
wrong done 10 Mexico. This, we think, is difficult
to show Texas was free, independent State-ac-
knowedged such by the civilized world, and Next
VIGOROUSLY incapable of reducing her to her
former allegiance. Mexico had not for years before
annexation attempted such reduction and the question
of independence merely kept open by her polti-
clans as topic of party contention and pretex for
levying military contributions upon her own people.
In this view Of the case, the people of the United
States and Texas had right 10 dispose OF their ma
tional domains they thought fit, and If they chose
TO JOIN their destlneS they cannot be SAID TO nave be-
gun unjustly because another nation took um-
bragg what ii could help and at what they had
u right to do.
Mr. Clay may be right in saying that "the lmmedl-
ate occasion of hosities out of the order of
the President of the United States for the removal OF
the army o. Gen. TAYLOR from Its position at Corpus
Christi to n point opposite Matamoras the east
bank of the RIO Grande - yet, granting this much. it
does not make out the charge of injustice. The ques-
tion is, had the government right to move the army
across the NueceS! And this must be tested by con-
current facts Mr. Clay, In his speech, asserts that
in the purchase of Florida. the United States paid
five millions of dollars and the right TO insist upon
the Rio Grande as the western boundary of Louisiana
which was, as Mr. Clay thinks, the true boundary
of the French purchase. Now, this same question of
boundary arose in the formation of the Republic of
Texas, and Mr.. Clay justly remarks that when Mr..
Slidel was despatched to Mexico to treat of bounda
ries, the territory between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande was disputed territory. Taking this to be
H.. So al tod had
much right to have armed force on this neutral
ground as Mexico had Now, 1t is notorious fact
that Mexican armed bodies had crossed the Rio Gande
before Gen. Taylor ordered TO cross the Nueces.
1t is also a notorious fact that Gen. Taylor met
at the Arroyo Colorado by organized body OF Mex
leans and that he threatened with battle IN case
he crossed that stream. These facts are part OF the
history of those times and if entering the neutral
territory with armed troops an unjust commence
ment of the war, Mexico first committed the wrong.
Moreover, not only had Carvaja, Canales and Roma
no Falcon crossed the Rio Grande before Gen. Taylor
left Corpus Christi but American citizens travelling
Oh lawful business through the disputed territory
men. women, and children-had been murdered by
the followers OF these Mexican officers in such bru-
tai manner, that what right III respect to the pre-
vlOus acts of the enemy became duty on the part OF
the government a protection to our own people.
Whatever motive may be ascribed to the Executive,
the act of crossing the Nueces at the most, not mere
~ rctallatOrV ana at 10 lle vi
citizens aud proper lest the exclusive military
ION of the country be construed weaken title In
the negotiations for boundary. 1t was our duty,
public journalists to keep ourselves advised of what
was passing in the neutral ground the time, and
speak with knowledge on this subject.
This view of the causes OF the leaves out of
question the insults and injuries winch the govern
men and people Of this country had borne with pa
thence from Mexico. The national magnanimity
passed over Sights and wrongs which might justly
have provoked war; but to abandon the disputed ter
ritory to the exclusively military occupation of the
emy and citizens 10 the murderous practices OF
Mexican armed bodies, would have carried that viz
the point of sacrificing the lives OF people
and the property Of claims of the nation to fan
tasy which toe enemy to this day cannot compre
hend
In respect to the terms upon which peace is to be
bought do not hold that the United States are bound
down to the object involved IN the commencement Of
hostiIities. The fxaton of the boundary of Texas
may nave been the only object Of the war rst-ur
the conquest of peace if you wl-but in the prose-
cuiion of the war, the United States have acquired
certain billigereni rgs-rghis of conquest and mill
tary occupation, which, under the laws of nations,
may hold or abandon we see fit Questions of this
nature the exclusive concern OF our own people,
and if as we think the war was Just in its ncipency,
all the rights growing out of its prosecution egtI
mate property of the Union. Mr.. Clay is for giving
up the whole of but this, and other modes of bring
ing peace, questions too large to be discussed in
the conclusion of an article. Whilst we agree with
Mr.. Clay that it would not be dshonorable treat
beaten enemy with liberality-nay it would not be
dishonorable to give them than they had before
because may do II of our own free motive; yet we
think it would be foolish take anything into consid
Grafton, in making peace, except what may be DEEM
ed needful, prolific convenient to this Republic.
The olive branch has been thrust into the faces of the
Mexicans till all the leaves are shaken Off Nothing
more can be asked of us in this behalf, and now
think the conquered territory should be disposed of to
suit ourseves-and of this hereafter.