Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-11-08

tons and processes government AS that knowledge adj
vances VIII their capacity TO themselves advance
the necessity Tor Legislative interference be superseded Ac-
codng their knowledge of and respect the rights Of
citizen, shall their freedom from restraints be
measured out to them and every privilege which they learn
TO exercise wisely government will be forced enauish nt
each man becomes law unto himself II our view be cor
rect and the whole theory of popular sovereignty depends
upon its correctness every admitted the enjoyment
of our political privileges either abaies exas the average
OF which have spoken he less acquainted
with and respectful Of the rights and duties Of an American
citizen than the average previous to his admission Now this
average should be kept just low include within the
penehcent influences OF the national policy all who and
choose to enjoy without disturbing the general tendency OF
Legislation towards decentralization and towards the en-
argement Of the rights of the individual man. When that
tendency is reversed, Is sign that the quality Of the 90
vernment deeoratng OF course therefore every people
must grow its political institutions and every attempt to
engra system OF government upon nation uneducated in
its forms, to confer upon il political privileges which It's
members know not how to exercise must always result
such attempts always have done either in revolution or in
social oppression.
lin view of these considerations how should we estimate
the fitness OF the Mexican people into the endowment
of our political institutions Taking that people as they are
and are likely to continue for the period within which the in
tegfality OF Mexico will probably continue are they or will
they become valuable acquisition in any respect Are
there probably as many in the whole Mexican Republic
competent exercise the elective franchise with the iel
gence OF the average American citizen there righteous
men In Sodom when she destroyed If So the number
Of the righteous In that aed city have been exaggerated
Beyond question the entire Mexican would be sutsa-
uay below our national average both in purity and ne
The Mexican people are unaccusomed to the duties
OF segovernment and for years to travel up
through numberless Of political emancipation before
they can dispense with restraints which the Saxon family
threw of more than three hundred years ago. To enanchse
hem therefore, and give their representatives voice in our
legislature would doubtless have the double effect OF produc
ing anarchy within their boe and embarrassing
own interests to most disastrous extent Disregadng en-
rey the confusion which might result from such step to the
Mexicans themselves how should be able
them that federal supremacy which necessary proper
consolidation of the Union Though that people allow
ed 10 vote, Is doubtful they could such public
sentiment would respect They would be under inu-
ences which would deprive their political determinations of all
claim to confidence But the Federal Government Of
democracy must be advised by the constituency which
interested in its action Offices be filled projections
and guarantees, both civil and military must be furnished
according to the necessity and preferences of the people
for whose benefit chiefly they designed In our own
country present is comparatively easy learn what these
requirements Our people accustomed deliberate
upon political measures, and know how convey the fair
suit Of their deliberations to the understanding Of the central
government 1t is about easy for Congress know the
political sentiments of township in Louisiana or in Maine
in Missouri in Maryland. But it would be far other
wise if its inhabitants Gachupins Gabueinos and
Mstizoes We should be obliged disregard the apparent
wishes OF such people, and govern them instead of permit
ting them to govern themselves else submit them and
selves to difficulties the extent of which is impossible to
divine But in any case consequence would follow which
of all others it is most desirable for this country udg
~
sequence must he inevitable To protect the Mexican citizen
in the enjoyment of his property and rights would require
OF much vigorous and centralized
ours at present than its true friends wish become
We can make distinction among the States Of the Union
when they incorporated and if the mountain won
to Mahomet Mahomet must go the mountain If Mexi
can't be qualified by the annexation enjoy the privileges
OF the other States Of the Union, the other States con-
sent to abandon those privileges until the constitution which
necessary protect the rights Of all shall equally upon
the privileges Of ALL For stated before, the nation
must be governed by its average intelligence. Now sub
init that this will be earning the gories of successful
negotiation and of enlarged dominion great expense
nay at price which, when should to pay IT, would
disgust with bargain. We believe American Is
wilngth should suspend the advancing march ourcy
zaon, and return upon our steps, or moonles abide tic
coming of this babarous people, who yet ignorant Of
the very elements Of the science of political government be-
cause the fortunes Of successful revolution had made
them subject To laws which leads consider the
means by which free institutions rghtfuy propagated
Maintaining do, that government in which the whole
people are fairly represented develops political science and
advances national prosperity rapidly than other and
believing, do that the American people are more ade-
quaey represented in he laws than any other are bound
conclude that the distance between political institutions
and those Of other nations is constantly increasing This
might seem TO authorize the inference that could
tend their beneficial influences people less pol
cal science than ourselves The improperly Of such
ference will appear upon the slightest reflection. Democr
must make their conquests by moral agencies Ii these
not sufficient the conquest is robbery. BY allowing to
our people every nducemcnt and opportunity for the utmost
freedom Of industry, make them missionaries of po
cal science TO every quarter of the globe. n
In establishing commercial and other business relations
with and in the territories of neghbors they beget COM
muny of interest between they obtain confidence and
respect for Institutions and spread acquaintance with
many of their merits which in time work influences more
efcacous and permanent than experienced from all the
arbitrary codes proclaimed by the renowned awgvers
Of antiquity. monthly line of merchant vessels from New
York to Mexico would do than wilderness of Solons
TO shape and direct the public sentiment Of the Mexican peo
pie Thus gradually would they he introduced of the
convenences Of institutions. They would be led Of
themselves begin where tho Of every Government
should have its base namely in the township They would
learn how to manage local and municipal affairs and would
gradually extend their experience into the complex
atons Of County and State governments II is this habit of
and capacity for self government small Districts
municipal corporations in ecclesiastical eleemosynary
societies, that distinguish people fundamentally from the
Mexcans The native of New England, says De Tocque-
vile, lis attached TO his township because independent
and free his cooperation in its affairs his attach
ment to its interest the webeng il affords him secures his
affection and IFS welfare the aim Of his ambition and Of
his future exerons He takes part in every in
the place he practices the art Of government in the small
sphere within his reach he accusoms himself to those forms
which alone the steady progress Of liberty he inn
bbes their spirit he acquires taste for order compehends
the union the balance of powers and collects clear prac
cal notions the nature Of his duties and the Of his
rights
"This is mcasuraby true throughout the United States,
but would not be true Of the Mcxcans in any particular
When however, in the process Of these elements Of
political education shall have found their way among them
we trust they may at future day. and they shall
understand in their relative duty each other
and TO government and maintain for themselves indivi
duay their right TO free and equal representation before the
law let doubt that they will be but anxious ally
themselves with this Republic, from which they will have
every thing to gains and that armed force will be as super
uous 10 effect the alliance has make the same