It seems certain that Mexico must ultimately submit to such terms of
peace as the United States shall dictate. An heterogeneous population of
seven millions, with very limited resources and no credit; distracted by
internal dissensions, and by the ambition of its chiefs, a prey by turns
to anarchy and to military usurpers; occupying among the nations of the
civilized world, either physically or mentally, whether in political
education, social state, or any other respect, but an inferior position;
cannot contend successfully with an energetic, intelligent, enlightened
and united nation of twenty millions, possessed of unlimited resources
and credit, and enjoying all the benefits of a regular, strong, and free
government. All this was anticipated; but the extraordinary successes of
the Americans have exceeded the most sanguine expectations. All the
advanced posts of the enemy, New Mexico, California, the line of the
lower Rio Norte, and all the sea ports, which it was deemed necessary to
occupy, have been subdued. And a small force, apparently incompetent to
the object, has penetrated near three hundred miles into the interior,
and is now in quiet possession of the far-famed metropolis of the
Mexican dominions. The superior skill and talents of our distinguished
generals, and the unparalleled bravery of our troops, have surmounted
all obstacles. By whomsoever commanded on either side; however strong
the positions and fortifications of the Mexicans, and with a tremendous
numerical superiority, there has not been a single engagement, in which
they have not been completely defeated. The most remarkable and
unexpected feature of that warfare is, that volunteers, wholly
undisciplined in every sense of the word, have vied in devotedness and
bravery with the regular forces, and have proved themselves, in every
instance, superior in the open field to the best regular forces of
Mexico. These forces are now annihilated or dispersed; and the Mexicans
are reduced to a petty warfare of guerillas which, however annoying,
cannot be productive of any important results.
It is true, that these splendid successes have been purchased at a price
far exceeding their value. It is true that, neither the glory of these
military deeds, nor the ultimate utility of our conquests can
compensate the lamentable loss of the many thousand valuable lives
sacrificed in the field, of the still greater number who have met with
an obscure death, or been disabled by disease and fatigue. It is true
that their relatives, their parents, their wives and children find no
consolation, for the misery inflicted upon them, in the still greater
losses experienced by the Mexicans. But if, disregarding private
calamities and all the evils of a general nature, the necessary
consequences of this war, we revert solely to the relative position of
the two countries, the impotence of the Mexicans and their total
inability to continue the war, with any appearance of success, are still
manifest.
The question then occurs: What are the terms which the United States
have a right to impose on Mexico? All agree that it must be an
"honorable peace;" but the true meaning of this word must in the first
place be ascertained.
The notion, that anything can be truly honorable which is contrary to
justice, will, as an abstract proposition, be repudiated by every
citizen of the United States. Will any one dare to assert, that a peace
can be honorable, which does not conform with justice?
There is no difficulty in discovering the principles by which the
relations between civilized and Christian nations should be regulated,
and the reciprocal duties which they owe to each other. These
principles, these duties have long since been proclaimed; and the true
law of nations is nothing else than the conformity to the sublime
precepts of the Gospel morality, precepts equally applicable to the
relations between man and man, and to the intercourse between nation and
nation. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." "Love your enemies."
"As you would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
The sanctity of these commands is acknowledged, without a single
exception, by every denomination of Christians, or of men professing to
be such. The sceptical philosopher admits and admires the precept. To
this holy rule we should inflexibly adhere when dictating the terms of
peace. The United States, though they have the power, have no right to
impose terms inconsistent with justice. It would be a shameful
dereliction of principle, on the part of those who were averse to the
annexation of Texas, to countenance any attempt to claim an acquisition
of territory, or other advantage, on account of the success of our
arms.
But in judging the acts of our Government, it must be admitted that
statesmen think a conformity to these usages which constitute the law of
nations, not as it should be, but as it is practically, sufficient to
justify their conduct. And by that inferior standard, those acts and our
duties in relation to Mexico will be tested.