Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-06


4 figure, yet never was mortal man
the object of fortunes infatua-
ton Famous statesmen and great soldiers
were kicked aside that he might rise; whether
in war politics, his deficiencies and in
efficiences we're transformed into shining vir-
tues and mistakes that would have ruined
another became his stepping stones to glory.
The Mexican War, that lifted "Old Rough
and Ready" from the shadows was in itself
awhirlgig of crazy circumstances, an Alice-in-
cumberland adventure from start to finish. For
nine years Texas had been sovereign republic,
her navy the high seas, her Ministers at
foreign courts, admittedly the arbiter of her
own deStinies, yet when she asked and re-
ceived admission to the Union in 1845, Mexico
emitted furious screams and declared annexa-
ton act of war.
James K. Polk, just entering office, viewed
this bellicose front with amazement and down.
right alarm. It not only that the United
States lacked an Army and Navy; war with
England over Oregon seemed Imminent, and
France was suspected of moving slyly toward
the acquisition of California.
THROWING pride to one side, therefore, the
haraSSed President, working through con-
ffdential channels, gained Mexico's consent to
receive a Minister charged with the restoration
of peace and good will, and John Slidell was
hurried off on this errand of amity.
Slidell's instructions were explicit-the right
Of the United States to annex Texas could not
be deemed a subject of discussion and the Rio
Grande must be accepted as a boundary-but
he was empowered to pay Mexico $5,00OOOO as
o Salve for her wounded feelings, and to offer
$25yO00000 for California, if the province was
up for sale. Owing to the outcry Of Mexican
politicians, however, President Herrera was
forced to repudiate SlidelI, yield to the war
party and send Gen. Paroles to the Rio
GnRnde with 5000 men.
The worthy Paroles, instead Of marching
used the troops to depoSe Herrera, charging
that he sought Ito avoid q necessary and glori-
GUS war;" whereupon Polk ordered Slidell to beg
negotiations with the new government.
BY now the whole of Mexico was mad for
war. England and France would undoubtedly
furnish money and materials; the assistance
of Latin America could surely be counted upon
to defeat 1.-The ever monstrous greed Of the
Colossus of the North; European military
experts ridiculed the Americans as undis-
ciplined and unframed; eft only for Indian
lighting" and Mexico was impregnable by
land and sea; a Mexican army of invasion
could rely upon the support of 1000 900 slaves,
and it would only be a matter of weeks before
the Mexican flag foated above "the ancient
palace of George Washington"
Drunk with vanity, Parades sent Slidell out
of the country on March 81 1886, and hurried
Gen. Arista to the Rio Grande with these in
structions: 1T is indispensable that hoStilities
begin, yourself taking the initiative"
Folks defensive step was to send Gen. Zach
airy Taylor into Texas with orders to "repel
INVASION but at the same time to avoid any
acts Of aggression" This grizZled old warrior,
81 years of age, happened to be in command
Of the Department of the Southwest, and with
. sigh he left his shady porch, numbering to
Corpus Christi at the head Of some 500 men.
IN March, 1916, with Slidelrs rejection a GER
tainty, and Mexican troops massing at the
border, Taylor marched to the Rio Grande
pitching Fort Brown opposite Matamoros, and
establishing a supply depot at Point Isabel 80
miles away on the Gulf
Here he emphasized his essentially pacific
purposes" and tried hard to work out q truce ,
until the two governments settled matters but
Gen. Mejia spat insults; Gen. Ampudia, who
Mejia was famous for having fried
. captives head, and had his reputation to live
lp to. and Gen. Arista arriving on April "a
to- supersede Ampudia, was under explicit
ders to start the war at once. Crossing the
Rio Grande with 1900 cavalry, the Obliging
Arista captured Capt. Thornton and q scouting