The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-05 00:00:00

111EXICO.

-~-

A letter signed "A British Resident in Mexico'
appeared last Thursday iu the Times. The writer
states That he had lately. returned from the city of
Mexico, where he had been four years, and had
witnessed the events which transpired from the
French occupation up to June. He writes in de-
fence of Mexico in general, and of JUAREZ and his
Government in particular, and in reply to an
article in last Saturday's Times on the rumour that
the United States were negotiating with JUAREZ
for Mexican territory, and would eventually oc-
cupy the whole country to its benefit and that of
the world. Weneed scarcely repeat oar opinion that
whatever good an American occupation would be
to the rest of mankind it would be the reverse of a
benefit to the citizens of the United States. Young
countries are apt to appropriate and spread them-
selves over an immoderate amount of territory,
thereby committing a grave error. Not only is con-
centration strength, but to scatter is to barbarize. No
high civilization can be attained by a people sparsely
spread over a vast tract, and those who concentrate
will be acted on injuriously by the savagery gene-
rated in the wilds. It would have been well for
the present and for several succeeding generations if
the North American continent had been narrowed
to a tenth of its size, when the just ambition of its
people to place it under one Government might have
been the more easilyandspeedilyachiev.ed. We believe
now, as always, that the aim of the American
should be to have but one rule for the Continent of
North America, but we consider that an object so
gigantic is to be worked out only in decades, not in
years. To hurry this may be to defeat it ; to push
too rapidly over wastes, or into provinces inha-
bited by men little better than barbarism, is, in
the first instance, to weaken, and in the latter to
import ready-made savagery in aid of the degene-
racy generated by the former. It is, in our opinion,
a most mistaken policy to increase the boundaries
of the United States, and that opinion finds an echo
among masses of the citizens, who think that, in-
stead of advancing the ultimate object, it will in
ruth retard it. The "British Resident" asserts that
moderation, humanity, and good sense have charac-
terized the Government of JUAREZ. lie maintains
that immediately the President was installed in power
he caused a Congress to be elected by thepeople,which
met and sat for six months, debating the laws, and as
narrowly investigating, as Parliament oes, every
item of the Budget. The Government party is
controlled by an untrammelled opposition, and full
liberty of discussion is allowed the Press. That So
deso.:.‘ting and long-continued a war as that which
ended in t"' execution of MAXIMILIAN could at once
be followed by Lw and order is not to be expected ;
but he maintains that ..*.he country is safer and in a
better state than during th 2 Empire, for he lately
travelled three times between the f•apital and Vera
Cruz, unarmed and unharmed, without Even a fear
of molestation. Regarding the cession of territory
these are his words :—" The assumption thatJuanEz
would alienate any portion of Mexican territory, or
would submit under any terms to the protection of a
foreign Power, is equally groundless. The feel-
ing dominant in Mexico since she has recovered
her independence is an exaggerated sense of na-
tional dignity, coupled with unlimited confidence
in the power and resources of the Republic. Mexico
will never accept. a master unless imposed by force.
What may be the views of her powerful neighbour
it would be difficult to discover at present, but it is
very certain that the United States could only ex-
tend her frontiers on the Rio Grande by conquest."
Two treaties between Mexico and the United
States have just been published in the Mexican Offi-
cial Diary, both the work of Senor RoMERO, during
his recent visit to Washington. The most important
refers to the naturalization of citizens, as it disposes
of the present claim of exemption from Mexican
law by foreigners long resident on the general plea
of American citizenship. The term of five years
spent in either country constitutes citizenship,
but any person can renew his old allegiance by
returning to his native country and residing there
two years. The other treaty has reference to Ame-
rican claims on Mexico, which a short time ago
were clamorously urged. A convention is to as-
semble to examine these claims, and five years is
allowed to Mexico wherein to pay. Not only does
JualtEzindignantly deny any intention to cede Mexi-
can territory, but the latest intelligence from that
countryconfirms his assertion. Though we condemned
JUAREZ for the needless, cruel, and impolitic exe-
cution of MAXIMILIAN and his most faithful
Generals, we arc bouad to do justice to his admi-
nistration, "and we consider the late news from

Mexico justifies the statements of the British resident.
The Puebla insurrection bad been quelled, and the
country so far tranquillized. Generals LUCAS
and BoNILLA had surrendered at discretion,
and the sentence of death pronounced against
them had been commuted. General RAMON
CORONA was at the capital conferring with
the Government on the best mode of keep-
ing the roads clear of banditti. An instance is
given of the value the Mexican Congress attaches
to human life, for the Governor of Jalisco, AN-
TONIO GOMEZ CUERVO, had been impeached and
deposed by it for having sanctioned the summary
execution of robbers, thereby violating the Federal
Constitution, which guards the life of the citizen.
Though he has been reinstated, yet the fact that
Congress bad sa acted even in the case of robbers
—the bane of Mexico— speaks well for the Govern-
ment. A proof of the magnanimity of JUAREZ is
also furnished by the present intelligence. The late
conspirators against his life had been liberated from
prison and merely banished. Colonels GRANADOS
and TOLEDO, who had taken a leading part in the
Sinaloa revolt, were also reprieved after being
sentenced to death. These acts of clemency tell
well for JUAREZ, and that they do not proceed from
weakness is shown by his course when informed
of the assassination of General PATONI. That
General had been Governor of Durango, where,
on arrival, he slept in his carriage in the court-
yard of the hotel. General CANTO, the officer
in command, sent his Secretary, it is said, to tell
the political chief where PATONI was, and at
three o'clock a guard surrounded the carriage,
dragged the Governor to de outskirts of the town,
where he was shot. It was even rumoured that
CANTO had drugged the General previous to his
execution, but he indignantly denies all knowledge
of the transaction, and the whole affair is wrapped
in mystery. The PRESIDENT has, however, ordered
him into arrest, and he will be tried for the murder.
The Legislature of Durango has certainly moved
strongly in this matter, but we believe that JUAREZ
is inclined without pressure to execute the law with
rigour, as well as to temper it with mercy. At pre-
sent every effort is being made to repress brigan-
dage, which is the curse of the country, and the
capture and execution of several leaders shows that
he does not work in vain. It is here worthy of
mention that a system of taxation has been framed
by the three prominent Congressmen, MATA, iGLE-
SIAS, and PRIETO, which for the first time will
base the plan on a direct impost. All haxiendas
are annually to contribute two dollars per
$l,OOO of their value, city property 3 per cent.,
while all tenants of farms and houses shall pay 3
per cent. on the rent. It is gratifying to be en-
abled to report anything favourable of Mexico.
Those who personally know JUAREZ speak highly
of his character, and although the execution of
MAXIMILIAN has given him in Europe a bad repu-
tation, it is but fair that he should be judged by
his rule. lie may not have been able to control the
position or to save the Austrian Prince, even had
he desired to do s); but whatever was the position
then, we have to deal now with the conduct of the
Government, and to correct erroneous iaipressions
as far as we can when we know that the circum-
stances do not justify the notions current on this
side the Atlantic. It is a mistake to suppose there
is any coldness between the Government at Mexico
and that of Washington. JUAREZ and his Cabinet,
together with many members of Congress, lately
attended a dinner given to the distinguished jurist
RIVA PALACIO, where the PRESIDENT spoke in the
best taste and humour of the Unitcd States.—
Anglo-American Times.

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