Page:The War with Mexico, Vol 1.djvu/242

Rh regarding war with Mexico was made known by the official Diario. On the sixteenth Tornel — the enemy of the United States and worse enemy of his own country, who had now wormed himself into the war department in place of Almonte — proposed to Congress a declaration of war; and on July 6 Paredes proclaimed, as Congress had voted five days before, that Mexico would repel the aggression and invasion of the Americans. It was further stated that besides completing the Permanent and Active corps, the government would create additional forces to serve during the war. A million dollars were supplied by the clergy to pay for a campaign. Paredes obtained permission to command the army in person, and his intention to do so was publicly announced.

But as usual the war plans ended mostly in talk. Except at the far distant north, denunciation of the United States moderated somewhat, and even at Mexico bragging lost a part of its ﬂavor; yet, though really discouraged, people would not recognize the war as anything very serious, After news of Arista's defeat arrived at the capital, the shiver of astonishment and disgust lasted for a time; but the glib fellows in the cafés were soon remarking, "Well, that's over; that won't happen again" Explanations abounded, After all, Arista was only making a. reconnaissance in force, it was pointed out. "Such is the fortune of war; a defeat to — day and glory tomorrow," remarked one of the generals. The hour chosen by Providence to give the world a lesson by terribly punishing the aggressive Americans has not yet arrived, explained the governor of San Luis Potosí. Reverses have occurred, but they can easily be repaired and will be, the minister of war assured Congress airily; and moreover the enemy had suffered most severely, it was believed. Even the evacuation of Matamoros was eclipsed by domestic politics, The triangular difficulties between Scott, Gaines and the American government were cited as illustrating the state of discipline in our army The wreck-strewn coast near the mouth of the Rio Grande and the billows laden with boxes and barrels afforded no little encouragement; and editorials from the London Times, proving in detail the hopelessness and risk of an American attack upon Mexico, were translated and printed by the official journal.