The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-09

highly colored medium Of broad and general
blaze Of military glory.
We can now perceive this idea distinctly
foreshadowed in the inaugural address. The
world is aware that between peace and war in
the adjustment of our existing embarrassments
with Mexico, the antecedents, the prestige and
the spirit Of 1.-The unterrifed democracy" would
rally then as one man, to the call of
the trumpet. On our side, therefore, the
paramount obstacle to tedious and monotonous
negotiations will be the difficulty with the ad-
ministration of restraining its natural tenden-
cies to military glory, and the democratic poll
cy of annexation by the shortest route and upon
the grandest scale. With Mr. Fillmore in the
Executive chair there would be no necessity for
the slightest alarm to the most nervous old wo-
man in the country. Hostile as he is to the
modern idea of progressive territorial expan-
sion, we might feel assured of peace. The to-
tally different public attitude ofPresident Pierce
upon this general issue, however, gives to our
present critical relations with Mexico wholly
different complexion. We have changed the
sides of the medal. The benignant but femi-
nine image of peace is against the wall, and the
stalwart form Of Mars, full armed, confronts us.
The policy and the inclinations of Santa Anna
appear to be still more unfavorable to friendly
settlement He has returned to power flaming
with manifestoes and protestations against the
United States and the. fllibusteros Of his north
ern departments; he has sworn to preserve in
tact the Spanish race and the soil of Mexico; he
has been making overtures to Spain, and doubt
less also, to England and France, for their assist
ance in anticipation of a rupture with the ruth
less Yankee" These oyertures, it is
quite possible, may contemplate the open
ing Of certain European ports in the
West India Islands to such American prizes as
may be captured by privateers sailing under
the Mexican flag. With Spain, at least. he has
evidently been Juggling for an alliance. com
pretending the full acquisitions of war with
a common enemy. He has been exciting the
Mexican people with the delusive ideas of ven
geance for the disasters of 1867, and the ter
ritorial sacrifices of 1S49 The Mexican church
is with him, and against us; for its supremacy
and power in the State. and over the people,
depend upon the raising of Chinese wall
i
fuences are urging him to a war, and, to all
appearances, he has so far in1amed his weak
minded countrymen with the war fever that it
would be dangerous now to fall back upon a
pacific policy. His exhausted treasury, his ex-
hausted financial resources, the various revolu-
tionary elements scattered over the republic,
and the general depression among all classes of
the community, called for this extraordinary
stimulus Of a war cry, in the very outset, to
rouse the people and to unite all factions in
his support. Inscriptions as to means, and
reckless as to consequences to him and to
Mexico. there is danger that the internal neces-
stiles of his position may drive him into war.
And what will be the immediate conse-
quences of another rupture? General Garland
and his troops will march southwark. Cara
vajal and the fllibusteros of Matamoras and
Camargo will cross the Rio Grande in swarms,
on the road to Monterey; the Californians by
thousands will undertake prospecting" ex-
gulf (See the resolutions which we publish
to-day, introduced by Mr.. McMeans into the
California Legislature, and the intelligence
concerning Sonora.) In word, within three
months after the declaration of war, from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, an invading army would
be moving down for the re- occupation of Che
pultepec. More than this-nnder the cover of
the smoke and dust and the noise and confu-
sion" Of this broad invasion of Mexico, the order
of the Lone Star and the Cuban Junta would
slip into Cuba and sweep over the island like
hurricane. Yet, we repeat it, there are indi-
cations on both sides Of disposition rather to
fight than negotiate. and there is imminent dan
ger of war;
Mexico is weak. We are strong. We should
be and may be magnanimous; but the tempta-
tions to severity are all but irresistible. We
have little to fear from England little to appre-
bend from Louis Napoleon-he may shortly have
business enough to employ him on the continent
we have nothing to fear in the event Of an ALI
ance between Santa Anna and Spain 1t would
only facilitate the acquisition of Cuba. There
can be little danger to our commerce, for
Mexico, without commercial marine, and
without a navy, could send no privateers to
sea, and a declaration of piracy against vessels
of other nations privateering under her flag
would cut short that expedient of annoyance.
Here, then, the parties stand. Santa Anna
is in desperate position. Between retention
of his place and revolutionary abdcation. he
may be compelled to fight; and in the worst ex-
tremity he may rely on the interposition Of
some Of the nations Of Europe to preserve the
balance ofpower on this continent, and to save
Mexico from being wholly absorbed by the
American eagle The proclivities Of the demo-
cratic party, or the temptations to our admins
tration for another brush with the Mcxicans,
we have sufficiently depicted. And then there
are the warlike movements on both sides
towards the Messilla district. 1t is all howl
ing desert excepting little riband of alluvian,
irrigated by the Rio Grande, and not more than