The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-03-31
Editorial Correspon ence.
WASHINGTON, March %.

sPEcK or WAR.
The news from Vera Cruz creates q great
stir among politicians, and will be received
with interest throughout the country.
hope Republicans, before they commit them
selves in opposition to the acts Of our naval
authorities there, will consider what they
would be doing, and not Lot the readiness TO
rebuke the Administration lead them into
condemnation OF those acts, unless it be-
comes very plainly evident that We have done
wrong, aud should apologize. OF the mo-
tires of the Administration in connection
with Mexican affairs, whether in diplomacy
or arms, have no exalted opinion. But the
public, positive acts OF our naval officers,
acting under specific orders or at discretion,
must not be condemned unless they were
wrong and uniustifable. And in this case
am not inclined to think they were. The
cantnred YeAsals did not answer hail and ax-
bibit their caiors, to show whether they were
honest craft or not, and what they were. In
The condition Of things, as it was optional in
and character or not, and as the liability of
our shipping to suffer from privateers per-
haps rendered it their duty to make the de-
mand, it cannot be said that they did wrong
in haiIing them. The American interests in
Vera Cruz (which they were there to protect.
might have justified the capture il they had
known all about the vessels Immediately on
their appearance. They attacked our ves-
sells first, and so the blow was returned in
the most eaectual way possible, of course
And finally. II the vessels had been known
Immediately on appearing, they would have
probably been considered, under the law
of nations, lawful prizes of any body
who could take them, in consequence Of
their denuneiation as pirates by the eonsti-
tutional Mexican government, of the manner
Of their fitting out, and Of their conduct 10
the harbor where they were taken. 1t may
or may not have been necessary to take the
steps in consequence Of which the conflict
was brought on. BUTT would be hazardous
TO say that il was not necessary, or at least
proper, and If so, the rest cannot be con-
demned. But whether right or wro ng, the
Administration and the Slavery power
would be very glad indeed to be able to show
the country that the Republicans were iusti-
Tying the crooked ways Of corrupt revolu
tionary combination 10 Mexico, to the con.
demnation of our own country; to identify
Us among the public enemies and therefor,
decent prudence, as we'll as honest patriot
ism, would require us not to censure th,
acts in question unless we are certain tina
justice and the public good demand il.
The very common impression that war i
tolerabls certain to follow this act, -tha
war il actually begun,--i must think erro
neous. do not think it certain, or eve
liable to follow, If for no other reason thar
this ii Mramon ID defeated at Vera Cruz
as 10 all probability he has been, his rule ma,
be considered at al end IT seems to me tina
be is on his last legs, any how; and in tina
case, We are at war with no body, for Juare,
would undoubtedly be willing to re.imburs
as for all the powder and shot we expended
on The occasion, and acknowledge the act a,
apnbhc service 10 Mexico. intead OF being
casas beiii. think, therefore, ii 10 perfect
ly safe 10 let our middies strut over their 70
mantle moonlight cannonade, and brag a
much as they please about what they woul,