The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-25

Of our hardy and enierprising people, had studded
the valleys OF Oregon with a teeming population
/ Looking back lar over the desert wastes through
which they had passed, and with hearts full OF atec
onate loyalty to the land OF their birth they called upon
ne government. 70 terminate .ne ia'a union, and give
aresponsve chord in the bosoms OF the Without
descending details, il sufficient TO say that all pre-.
vious negotiations between the two governments had
been based upon the principle OF compromise, and in that
spirit the parallel OF 40 had been twice rendered by
the British government and twice refused. This the
state of the question upon Mr. Folks advent to power
In Difference 10 the action OF his predecessors alone he
caused the offer to be again made, and il third
time refused The offer then Withdrawn, title to the
| off The message of Mr.. Polk comm unicatng these
facts to Congress- produced the most profound sensation
throughout the land II was his first annual message, and
the bold and manly tone it assumed struck upon the
ular heart War; immediate war, and with the great
power EARTH seemed inevitable The pride OF Great
Britain, it was said, would never permit her to yield
point upon which her honor staked But the result
proved far otherwise In short time negotiations
renewed, and Great Britain made the Identical offer
she had thrice refused, with the additional and unlock
editor concession OF strip OF territory lying north Of
the parallel, three times large the State of New
York. This bold stroke OF policy the part of Mr.
Polk resulted the full and ample concession of all our
demands; and his rmness extorted from England that
measure OF justice which had been long withheld and
thrice openly refused
duties and responsibilities President, which exhibited
in holder relief the prodgous energies OF his character or
displayed in more eminent degree his high admins
rative talent, than recent conflict with Mexico
The policy and propriety OF this have, know,
been questioned in high quarters, and its business
assailed with degree Of asperity rarely equalled
red the deepest and darkest passions OF the human
hearts yeti am bold TO say, with full OF the
sponsibty OF the declaration that the annals of history
may be searched in vain for example OF war more
just in its inception, vigorous in its prosecution, and glo
ous in its termination. Prejudice and pride of opinion
DO not always permit us to be just much less readily to
in VIZ ms 10
against our self.esteem but when the passions OF the
hour to which this conflict gave rise shall have died
away poserty, looking back to the events of our times
through the sobered aid melowed lights Of the past will
wonder at the deuson which dictated such anatca OPP
position From its commencement TO- its conclusion
from the first blast OF the buge at Palo Alto which
sounded the onset to afms-to the unurling starry
banner upon the halls OF the MoneZumas. false
step was made not reverse encountered Everywhere,
from the fertile valley of the Rio Grande the golden
shores OF the Pacific, from Vera Cruz to the capital our
invincibe banner doomed up in the fight, mot be-
dmmed in its azure field or single stripe obscured
When it is remembered, too, that the found wholly
unprepared that our army had to be raised equipped
and seat to distant field OF operations much OF the
terrell for its prosecution had yet to be created the long
lines OF communication TO be kept up and lastly,
varied and uninterrupted success in thirty pitched battles
over an enemy superior in numbers and position the re-
suit almost without parallel in the history of the
world
Had the war resulted merely in the punishment of
proud and puslannous neghbo for numberess insults
flag, then would its object have been accomplished
and the national honor amply vndcated But was at
tended with consequences far higher and happier than
these developed in an extraordinary degree mill
tay resources and the martial character and energies of
people II enlarged the bounds of the republic and
gave an empire equal in extent to the original thirteen
States. has impaired civilization to Mexico. Ii has
elevated the national character abroad and secured
against future aggressions upon our rights Nay
II awakened spirit OF inquiry among the down trod
masses OF other lands reused their dormant energies
action, and sent the ball OF revolution bounding
the plains OF Europe Her soveregns, startled BY the
sound, looked with strainng eyes Tar the wide At
lantc and beheld with rising jealousy the onward march
OF the model republic oil the north 10 honor and renown
they gazed in silent wonder upon the moral submity
presented by the brsng bayonets of sixty thousand vol
unteer feemcn, all animated by common impulse of
patriotism, marching mery to The fight and descending
like reapers to the harvest of death"
But u the war was glorious. how much oil the credit is
that perilous perodnoted with swelling pride our every
success and sent the message OF hope and consolation
me heart oil the dropping soldier in distant cline
Never, at the darkest hour OF the day, did he ale in
hls purpose OF accomplishing the object of the war
Never, when an Infatuated opposition assailed him al
every point when the halls OF Congress rang with i'm
FASHIONED defamation against the justice OF the war; and
when the proposition boldly and unblushngy made
70 withdraw our gallant army from the scenes OF its toll
and boodshed with arms reversed and banners trailing
~ the Dust never did his hrmness forsake him. His
great and patriotic heart turned with neable scorn from
suggestion base He boldly threw himself upon The
'eope, and the stout hearts and strong OF those
VINO sustain their countrys honor in the hour OF peril
gathered around its flag. and cheered him in his onward
;areer.
Inc chDIagn IN Mexco IN the brilliant and startling
nature Of It's results finds its parallel only in that OF the
ioung Napoleon IN Italy Nor the authors and chief
ieiors on the respective theatres altogether unlike Both
we're men OF bold and striking characteristics Both were
widowed with prodigious energy Of character, and un.
common personal sagacity. MIR Polk was IN the cab. :
net what Napoleon was in the campbold vet cautious
nod wary-laying his plans with the utmost GOODNESS
md composue, tracing ali the details to their remotes,
consequences, awaiting calmly the propitious period and
when II arrived striking home with such fearful and !
ernble energy as to disar his opponents by the very
u00pnOees M oad aln.o.f IN,
utiye knowledge OF Napoleon raised his officers
rom the ranks, and conferred upon them the narshas
alton when they bad won IL BY their skill and per-
onal prowess Mr. Polk selected his civil agents from
mong those who had won their way 10 prominence r
nj position by their force Of character talents and
loral worth; and u - small compliment 10 his :
agacity, that OF the two thousand officers whom he
ent TO Mexico during the period OF the war; one. hall
whom were the creatures of his appointment moi |
ne ever dshonored his countrys flag or proved re =
reant in the hour OF peril Both were The authors and
nlshers OF Their own fortune--both 6 a premature q
rave. But while the characteristics OF the two are in
lany respects SIMILAR others they are totally diss
ir Mr. Polk was entirely free from that interruptions
mbon, and that great codness and selfshness Of heart
1hich marked the career OF Bonapae All his purposes
'ere pure, PATRIOTIC and nobe-all the "ends ne aimed
were his "countrys, Gods, and truths" And more
" great heart embraced within its comprehensive be.
eyolence The interests OF universal humanity. N
But the events OF his great administration are ended
I'd he retres TO the bosom OF his beloved tennessee
he people rise up in TO do him homage he pass
!, and his homeward journey more like that oil the ~
onquero marching the pathway power, than that M
plain citizen OF the republic, dvesied OF the patron.
&c of ofce, retiring 10 the walks OF private life II was
e greatfu tribute paid BY the national heart to purity