The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-16

The House OF Representatives in Congress is discuss
ing the Presidents message on the subject OF collecting
duties Mexico to help pay the expenses OF the late
war. It will be remembered that plan for collecting
these duties presented by Mr. Walker, Secretary Of
the Treasury, by direction OF the Presien and being in
the nature OF military contributions an order TO that
effect issued by the War Department 1t worked to
charm, and large of money, which would other
wise have gone into the Mexican treasury to help them
say soldiers, thus transferred to Golfers
to pay our own soldiers and sailors. 1t had the happy
effect to bring our enemy to speedy terms OF peace and
thus to save the eusion of blood But the ultra wings.
who opposed supplies, have called the admnstra
ton TO account for resoring to this of warfare.
The operation OF this system was to collect duties at
less than had been imposed by the Mexican govern
ment from foreign nations OF satisfactory
to the foreign merchants, and the Mexican government,
being disarmed, had no right to complain But for this
slgacous plan, the might have continued to this day
II was most wise plan, originated by Mr.. Walker with
he sanction OF the President.
The message of The President is conclusive as to the
proprety OF the But the inquiry made for the
purpose OF casting olum the administration. If the
leading wings suppose that money was improperly ex-
acted from the Mexican government instead OF finding
fault with the administration, why do not they propose
bill, in due FORM frankly to refund the money thus
acted This would be frank mode Of proceeding. The
yeas and nays would then show who in favor OF the
Mexcans, and who are in favor of the Americans Let
them out latfooted and vote to refund, ii they
in earnest AS the Mexican of duties higher
than those exaced by the American army officers, there
was no hardship on private citizens, either Mexicans or
foreigners The only question is whether the money
went into the Mexican treasury or that OF the United
to the prejudice of the Mexican government and in favor
of our own and contributed much to the termination OF
the war, ought all TO rejoice that it carried out
thoroughly. 1t thus tended to the saving of life on both
Sides
The fact is, it has always been customary. in ancient
and modern times for conquerors to make military
tons, in various shapes, an enemy, Sometimes ii
has been done in of the war, and at Others in
shape of provisions by treaty; to pay the expenses of
war; when terminated. But the most honest plan is
take pay you go along This obviaes all afsrclaps,
and is the most satisfactory to both sides After the
ond fall OF Napoleon, the holy allies including nearly
all the rest OF Europe made France pay the expenses OF
war; aad had large foreign armies quarered in France
until the uunos, farthing was exacte1 We took
aong and this all the difference between the two
cases Bat, we have taken too much, let the wings
frame appropriation to refund the amount to Mexico
and see how many votes they will get, and where the
voters from. This will place the question
true merits, and the responsibility in the right place.
Such an issue would test who friends of Amer
ca, and who friends of Mexico Let it be tried in
due form by the American people.