The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-09-04

Is interesting TO conjecture what would
have been the result had 1t succeeded.
Benton possessed all the qualities of n
successful soldier, Of ~undaunted eour-
age, resourceful in ~expedients, prompt
and decisive in action, a born leader of
men, he would in all probability have
prosecuted the war to n successful con-
clusion. Already the acknowledged
head of his party, he wonld have been
the logical nominee for the presidency,
and with the laurels of a successful
general have surely been elected. Once
in that exalted position, his vigorous
loyalty and his iron hand would have
crushed the rising heads, both of seces-
sion and abolition, and turned back, for
a generation at least, the current of
events hat were already settling
towards civil a But this was not
to be. The bill failed to become a law.
Taylor snatched h laurels growing on
the red fields of Palo Alto, Resaca
DE La Palma, Buena Vista, and put the
presidency forever beyond the reach OF
the great MissourIan.
The annexation of Texas was the
occasion and direct cause of the war,
but there had been ever since the re-
volt of the Texans a growing feeling of
hostility between the two countries.
Mexico had encouraged Americans to
settle IN Texas, hoping to bnild up
with them a barrier against the hostile
tribes. The Texan army was largely
composed of these settlers, and Jack
son as president gave his moral sup
port in aid of his old friend, Sam
frH1 TT.skoI Ckot. -r.-
ment insisted they could not prevent
their citizens crossing the line TO join
the Texas armies. On the other band
the Mexicans had for years preyed
upon American commerce, aud IA court
of arbitration had awarded to American
merchants several millions of dollars
IN damages, the payment of which
Mexico continually eluded or delayed.
AS to the merit of these claims there
was a wide difference of opinion.It was
claimed by the peace party that they
were greatly exaggerated and were used
mainly as a preteXt for war. But
whatever be the truth as to that, il is
difficult at this time, when the thorn of
slavery has been forever removed from
the body polite, to understand the
hostility felt towards the annexation OF
Texas. She surely was entitled to the
sympathy of the United States. She
had been largely settled by our citizens
Her revolt against the attempt to over
throw the constitution of "a, and
establish a dictatorship wa in + II
accord with our national love of liberty.
Her manly conduct of her war for in
dependence had won the sympathy of
the world, while the MeXicans had won
its execration. Texan prisoners were
treated as slaves and suffered the great
est i%ndignities. Today, the whole coun-
try is protesting because the United
States does not with strong hand put a
sop to the outrages perpetrated upon
the Cubans. But they are no worse
than those perpetrated upon the
Texans. A Texan army surrendering
to Il superior force after "A hard conflict,
with written stipulations as to terms
and a Mexican generals written recog-
milton rs 10 their rights as prisoners Of
war, Is taken to a camp OF detention
and in a few days called out ostensibly
to perform some camp duties. Officers