The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-08-30

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After the signal discontinue of the enemies Of the last
administration on the questions growing out OF the Pro-
toco drawn up al Quereiaro. did not expect to be
forced into another discussion relative to that paper
Mr. Folks vndcaiion of the course which he pursued
in thai behalf was 30 triumphant that Mr. Stephens OF
Georgia, who first brought the matter to the attention of
Congress- was openly rdicued by members Of his own
party and the country. with great unanimy. pronounced
that the treaty with Mexico remained valid in all its parts.
and that il had been assailed even without plausible
excuse and for unpato,ic and mischevous purposes.
We were surprised. therefore. in the National In
sslgsnesr Of the 18th Of August long and elaborate
article devoted to the Protocol. which argues with mock
gravity questions that have long since been decided.
The style Of that article and the editorial remarks which
accompany it. leave no doubt upon minds that il is
from the pen Of the present Secretary Of State Il may
be thought unbecomng in one who occupies that high
post to devote his time to raising and discussing,
contributor to the columns Of newspaper, questions
lane to our foreign affairs. But the remark made by
1he editors Of the National Insgeer, that the article
hich we refer has been maturey considered, and is
understood to be approved by those to whose information
and Judgment such questions. they willing TO de-
fer cannot be construed otherwise than into ntima
zion that Ae paper has been sanctioned by the admins
aiion, while the paper itself indicates most clearly that
ME Clayton had an active agency in its preparation.
Itrequires extraordinary degree OF penetration to
perceive the motives which prompted the long and la
bored article in the National Tnteaigsneer subject
that had already been disposed Of by the public mind
Those motives plain and apparent to any who is
al al acquainted with the who compose the present
cabinet the feelings which acuate them and the pot
cal necessities which surround them. The leading mo-
ives were to injure Mr. Clifford, late able and
complained minister to Mexico, in order to justify the
administration in driving him from the public service,
and to carry out the general desire. than once
manifested by the in power, to bring dscredt
on the acts Of their predecessors General Tayos cab
met 10 forget that the surest mode of gaining
the appreciation Of the country is 10 merit such re-
ward BY an honest upright, and able administration
Of the government. and not by assaults upon the
manner which Mr.. Polk conducted our public
2ealET Had the cabinet been mindful of this truth,
il would have been spared the Notifying position into
which it, eager haste Qeondemn the views of the late
administration relative TO the British navigation laws
placed it, and it would have avoided the stern rebuke
which its unauthorized conduct in stopping the steamer
United States called forth in all quarters OF the country
The success OF the democratic policy plain, that the
party in power is restrained by The fear of popular
demnation, from openly comprising its overthrow; while
the incongruous elements which united TO elect General
Tavor. urevent his administration from bringing for
ward any definite political system. II is not therefore
subject Of surprise that the cabinet should be eager to de-
mand the popular gratitude by boas,ug of its labors in
the public service and by magnfyng trivial occurrences
into matters Of great moment by means OF executive
uocamatious The men in power underrate the inelli
renee of the people and thew will end that they have
done 40 when they claim their reward for terminating
yexaious negotiation with the Mexican republic, which
never would have occurred but for the newspaper arti
ces which they have published or caused to be pub
lished The whir party and the present cabinet have
done all they could do TO create dissatisfaction in Mex.
leo and to induce the Mexican minister at Washington
10 complain Of the conduct Of our government with ref
erence TO the treaty Of Guadalupe We know not what
success may attend these praiseworhy Efforts but If
needless negotiation should be provoked we are sure
that the people will not consider themselves under very
weighty obligations for the diplomatic elegance with
which Il may be conducted
In reviewing the article in the National Integencer
wa cannot notice in detail its many measurements and
material omissions for as we do not intend TO refer to
the subject again. we are forced to conne ourselves to
the leading ideas which il advances 1t is known to all
that the treaty Of peace between the United States and
Mexico signed at Guadalupe Hdalgo on the I'd Of Feb
ruary is4s was amended by the Senate in several i'm
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