The Daily Union

COMMUNICATIONS: To the Editor of the Union.

New York, January 26, 1847.

The present Congress are incurring a vast responsibility, by their course, in regard to the Mexican war. The country are looking on with anxious solicitude, and they will hold their representatives to strict account for their conduct. Patriotism is stronger than party—love of country greater than attachment to men; and be they democrats, or whigs, the American people will not, in a question involving the rights, interests, and honor of the country, hesitate which to sacrifice. It is painful to witness a wavering vacillating policy, in an emergency like the present. The stars and stripes have been unfurled, and they are now waving over our marshalled and heroic army -it is flaunting too in the face of the enemy, and it is no time for debate, no time for angry discussion, no time for doubt or hesitancy. The honest patriotic men of the country of all parties, demand unity in counsel, energy of action, and vigor in the cabinet and the field. A few there are, as a few there have always been, who are opposed to the country, whose feelings and hearts are foreign, but they are insignificant in numbers, although full of sound and fury. The great mass, the bone and sinew of the land, are with the administration, heart and soul in this war; the great majority think it just, and demand that it be conducted with spirit; they will insist that Congress stand by the country first of all, and not distract or weaken the nation by angry strife, and encourage the enemy by showing divisions and dissensions in our midst. I would not, for a single moment, interfere with the liberty of speech or of the press. I would sternly stand by both; but in a controversy with a foreign nation-a controversy in which my own home and fireside was concerned-in which my own race was interested-I would hush all internal discord, calm all angry feeling, and unite the whole land: to go out to the enemy, and the whole world, with all the power and moral force of a united people, and thus go forth conquering and to conquer. The time for discussion has passed, or has not yet arrived; when it shall come, let it be full, free, and frank. But let not that council gather-that deliberation be had-until the country is provided for-until her armies are clothed, and fed, and paid-until her honor is vindicated, her safety secured, and all done that can be done to secure success. This, it seems to me, is the dictate of patriotism, and such as will commend itself to honesty and good sense on all sides. I repeat, that Congress are gathering for themselves a fearful responsibility. I would not charge upon them a want of patriotism, but it does seem to me, and so it appears, I doubt not to the country, that all agitating questions-all subjects for excited feeling, and all harsh and passionate debate should be avoided-and the country unite as one man, and present to the world the sublime spectacle of a people, who feel the full force of that noble sentiment, " our country first, and our country always." The wisdom and policy of such a course must strike every mind it is the surest road to peace; it will carry with it a moral influence at once elevated and powerful; it will impress the enemy with the hopelessness of the contest on his part, and soon bring him to fair and honorable terms. There is a duty of a high and binding character, involved in this matter, and statesmen will find they are trifling with a strong and fixed feeling, alive and active at the present moment in the hearts of the American people, when they seek to turn away from a patriotic and decided prosecution of the war, to wrangle about slavery, or any other question not involved in the strife. The legislature of our own State have pursued a course of conduct most contemptible; on a question of appropriating $10,000 to aid the volunteers--a subject which should have passed unanimously and without debate—the federalists have seen fit to introduce a long preamble, false in itself, and designed to kill the measure; and upon this has arisen a long discussion. How disgraceful for the Empire State thus to present herself. Patriotism is not made of such stuff as will tolerate such proceedings for a moment. How insignificant the paltry sum, and for how worthy a cause asked! I feel ashamed for my native State, that it was not voted at once, and by acclamation. The whole responsibility of its delay and ultimate defeat is, and will remain, with the federalists. Democrats will never, by their votes, sanction a deliberate falsehood-never falsely, and without the shadow of a reason, cast reproach upon the President. The country will sustain the President in his conduct, from beginning to end, in the Mexican war. The candid, as they survey the whole question, can but discover, on his part, a patriotic and wise forecast in his proceedings before the Mexicans begun actual hostilities; and since then nobody can, nor do any but the most reckless, dare to call in question the wisdom and energy of the Executive. The country are looking to Congress for prompt and efficient action; for ample supplies of men and money for a vigorous prosecution of the war. This course, I repeat, is alike the dictate of patriotism and sound policy it will best advance the honor and interests of the country and soonest bring about an honorable peace. There is also a partisan aspect to this question, an influence to be felt by the democratic party, now and hereafter, which ought to stimulate a democratic Congress to union in council and decision in action; but I would rather not enter into that vein to-day. There are higher and better considerations to induce action, and to them I would appeal. The executive has done his duty. The Secretary of War has met the full expectations of the country, and added new laurels to his fair fame. The officers and the army have covered themselves with unfading glory; regulars and volunteers, one and all, have behaved in a manner worthy of Americans, and it now remains for Congress promptly, and in the same patriotic spirit, to do their duty, and then all will be well. Hitherto they certainly have been misled into useless and unnecessary debates, have delayed important bills without cause, and have introduced the question of slavery out of time. I would not be censorious, but plain; and as one of the people, speak frankly my feelings. From recent indications I think I see a better day dawning, a better spirit in the ascendant. I trust we may now have action-action for the good of the country-action for the support of the army-action that will sustain the honor of the country. Supply her army, feed and clothe her soldiers, and be the harbinger of glorious deeds, and an honorable and permanent peace.