Rassegna storica del Risorgimento

La vigilia del '48
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government, without it be that of England, and it is reported that Lord Pal-merston has applied to this govemment for an explanation of the motions for the military display now making by dt, in Italy.
The President's message,36) I have read, through the English and French papere, though I have not yet received a copy of the same from the Department, nor of the accompanying dociunents, which to the present moment I have not seen. As to the message, I have heard but one opinion expressed in relation to it, and that in high common dation of its clearness, ability and force. A strong docnment was at this time particnlarly expected and required, and the least eommendation of which the message is worth, is, that it has most amply fnlfilled the public expectation. Notwithstanding we had reason, from their jealousy and opposition to the Mexican war, to apprehend in England, the severest attacks from their most virulent press; yet it is quite extraordinary that there has not issued a message of late years, which has called forth so few ill-natured com-ments, as that which has just been received. The masterly manner in which the President has explained our position and conduci towards Mexico, appears to have completely disarmed them. They seemed ali to content themselves with complaining of the great length of the document and with promising their readers, that they would at some future day expose the fallacy and injustice of ite details, but this task they have never since undertaken, and will assuredly take most particular pains to avoid. In France, the Journal de [sic] Debats, attempted some severity, bxtt the other French prints have been unbounded in their praise of the message and contrasting it with similar state papers in Europe, they assert that it seemed indeed like coming out of darkness into marvellous light . La Germany the Allgemeine Zeitung speaks of it, as a strong document, extolls ite clearness and simplicity, qualities, it states, so much needed in these excited times, whilst it assorte that the censures on it were un just and unf ounded. Speaking of the accompanying documento the same print observes, that they were most able and satisfactory, that particularly of the mdnister of finances, which they considered an extraordinary paper. The course recommended by the President to prosecnte the war with Mexico, with increased energy and power as the best means of vindicating the national honor and intent, meete [with] the hearty concurrence of every intelligent diplomat and gentleman that I have yet encountered. The pian suggested by Mr day and his followers, of abandoning our conquesto in Mexico, and withdrawing our forces from her soil, is characterized they nnhesitatingly assert, by the utmost folly, and would
*) Nel suo messaggio annuale al Congresso, il presidente Polk respinse decisamente ìl suggerimento che gli Stati-Uniti rinunciassero all'eventuale acquisto di territori messi­cani; It is well known that the only indemnity it is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfaetion of the just and long-deferred claims of our citizens against her and the only means by which abe can reunburse the United States for the expcnses of the war is a ceasion to the United States of a portion of her teratory. Mexico has no money to pay, and no other means of making the required indemnity. ... The doctrine of no territory is [therefore] the doctrine of no indemnity and if sanctioned would be a public acknowled-gement that our country was wrong and that the war declared by Congress widi extraor­dinary unanimity was unjust and abould be abandoned an admission unfounded in faci and degrading to the national character . Per il messaggio di Polk, vedi A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the. Presidente 1789-1897, a cura di JAMES D. RICHARDSON, Washington, 1897, pp. 532-564.
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