nparalleled 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