The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-25

AFFAIRS WlSHINGf0N.

WASHINGTON, Jan. %, 1913.
Congress-7 The Mcrican Quesfion-7he froo Par
ties-TAe Nicely Balanced Scaies-7Ae Settle
ment of Merico, etc.
A days respite from an attendance at the capl-
toll, enables us to submit few reflections
Seven weeks have elapsed since the first day
Of the session, and yet the Presidents message
has not been referred to the several standing
committees! There seems to be no particular
hurry to give it this direction. The wings are
not. in parliamentary phrase, "ready for the
question"
The bill to raise ten additional regiments of
regulars, is still the subject of debate in the
Senate, where it will probably remain for two
weeks more, or until the pent-up war gas is all
expended. The wings will not vote for it, if we
except Reverdy Johnson, and he cannot be alto
geiher depended upon And what will be the
They doubt the declaration of the President, that
the war is prosecuted for the purpose Of conquest
and that it is not his intention to denational-
ize Mexico, and annex the whole of it to the
Union Here they and the Executive are at is
sue. The arguments, facts, and figures of the
well-posted chairman of the committee on mill
tary affairs, have failed to convince them that an
additional force, of thirty thousand men, is
positively required to keep Mexico in subsection
until out of chaos can be produced government
with which we can negotiate a peace. They say
VI
CO; that this number of American soldiers is as
good as ten hundred thousand of Mexican ; that
our army is in no danger whatever, and that Its
strength is amply sufficient. They take ground,
too, that the President is bent on conquest and
permanent sublugatlon.
We do not censure those who have honestly
assumed this position; if they snuff danger afar
of. IT IS their duty to sound the alarm.
The democrats, on the contrary, take opposite
ground, give to the administration their support
without hesltating to make nice inquiries and
with him adopt, in lieu of the old song, 60 con-
quer a peace" the more fashionable catch, in
demnity for the past and security for the future"
Now, here we have the two parties proper.
As democratic gentleman said, the other day
individual, he says, "you have given me an ele-
plant )" meaning something which can be put
to no useful purpose. And so, he remarked, cir
had gyen to the party an
Suppose that the ten regiment bill should pass
the Senate; 1t will be referred to the military
committee in the House, majority Of whom
are wings, with MIR: Bolts at the head" They
will report unfavordbly, doubt, and then it will
be for the members generally to acquiesce or not
in their recommendation. Now, here the small
seeing the scales In equilibrio, may kick the beam
in accordance with the views Of their great
leader.
We can come to no other conclusion, from
present appearance, but that the bills TO increase
the pe,sonnei of the army will not pass. How
ever, If democrat shall be elected from the late
Mr.. Hornbeck's district, and MIR. Brown, of
Mississippi, arrive, and Mr.. Jackson is not
ousted from his seat, there may be more hope.
But whether additional men shall be voted or
not, the President will not withdraw our troops
from Mexico, until Congress shall starve them
out. If, however, our forces remain there year
longer, the "republic of Mexico will cease to
exist. 1t is said that at least twenty five thou
sand immigrants from " the States have already
sqnatted there, in the rich Valleys and still they
60. Officers Of our army have thrown up their
commissions and intermarried with the Senori-
tas, which will have the effect to Yankeeise
them and produce Yankee, population in time
TO come: Railroads and telegraphs are talked
OF, not lightly. And even Mr.. Trist, the unsuc.
cessful commissioner, is going into business in
Mexico. Many others Will follow him to that
country, which has been represented as richer
than our own. Under the protection afforded by
our army, the soil is being dotted with Ameri-
can settlements and it will be to the interest of
our government to facilitate and introduce trade,
CONNECTED with which are people,) in order to
derive good revenues at the ports and in the in
rior, for the support of the war. We should not
be surprised to see, before the close of Congress-
proposition to establish mail routes throughout
that country; but trust that Cave Johnson will
not have the direction of them for, instead
OF taking advantage of the proposed railroad be-
tween Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico, he WILL
on account of cheapness, hire steamboats, to take
the mails from New Orleans up the Rio Grande,
and thence overland to San LUIS and to the great
city. We must commence right at once; and
hence the suggestion. FELIX.