The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-01
The Treaty with Mexicn.

The treaty with Mexico is the topic of dis.
eussion every where. 1t is talked about with
equal intensity, in high and low society-by the
rich and by the poor Some affirm positively
that no doubt exists of its success, and others
determined that there is no chance of
tresty-that we ere at all the peace with
Mexico we ever will be; and that we never
ought to leave that country but keep it, for good
or for evil
During the campaign on the Rio Grande, it is
very well known that General Taylor endesred
himself to his soldiers as much from his hu-
mainly and strict justice, as the simplicity of his
character; but above all, from the simplicity of
his costume. The soldiers, who have much
tact, and great deal of wit, In these matters had
dubbed him old Rough aud Ready in Florida,
and the soubriquet Was retained during the Next
campaign. General Scott, who, with all his
military genius, has some peculiar personal quail
fcations entirely different from those of General
Taylor, has received from the same quarter a
different soubriquet. He is known among the
soldiers old F ass and Feathers"
Now, whether all this noise about treaty
with Mexico will end in ''fuss and feathers"
time alone can tell. There is no doubt that the
basis of treaty has been agreed on by the
General Scott and Mr.. Trist on the other This
treaty was to be presented TO the Mexican Con-
gress at Queretaro, which was TO be held on the
hrst OF last month; but whether the Mexican
Congress, In the present state of public feeling
and affairs In that country, would concur in such
treaty, is the very point at issue, and may be
discussed on every species of probability. All
the future movements of our government depend
on the concurrence of the Mexican Congress in
that projef; and of their concurrence, or non
concurrence, we can only know by some Of the
next arrivals from Vera Cruz. In the meantime,
the chances and the probabilities of this concur
renee may be debated in every possible way but
no determination can be arrived at until the
fact is ascertained in the usual way.
1his is the present position OF our relations
with Mexico most singular, unaccountable,
and curious position, indeed The newspapers
and the public, talk great deal about peace
with Mexico, while the fact is, that we have
had peace with that republic ever since the can.
rure of its capital; and we may continue to have
peace for the next few centuries, on the same
terms. 1t has been mooted point among the
masses IN the United States, whether it would
not be better to finish the conquest of Mexico in
this war, and condense three Punic wars into
one, rather than attempt to patch up another
kind of peace with tina, distracted country,
which has not materials enough to form an or
ganlsed and permanent government, and which
never could comply with any conditions it might
enter into with the United States.
We are really o! opinion that the United
states and Mexico are at this moment in the
bonds Of peace that il requires no other treaty
Than that which the American army has extract
ed from them, and that the best policy for this
country TO pursue, under all the circumstances,
ls undoubtedly to hold that country, TO preserve
IT IN ITS present position and gradually TO absorb
1t WITHIN this vast republic. If the chance be
gwen up now, 1t may not occur again for a CEN
tury or two, or without wading through fresh
scenes Of blood, and frghttul expenditures of
money We have ia our possession. under
the control Of the American army, one the ,;cb.
est territories on this continent and the verv
specie vaults Of the commercial world wv.
ought, by no meaus, TO give up this chance: and
any treaty that might be patched up with the
Congress that was 10 meet at Qucretaro, would.
for future peace with Mexico, be hardly worth