The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-14
For the Union.
MExICo-No. 5.

paint anu SOURCES oI ulHCulty petWcci TIC Onteu
States and Mexico were coeval with the declaration
of independence by the latter power brief re-
view the history Of that nation will furnish suit
able introduction to the more detailed and specific
narrative into which we shall be led.
During the tremendous contest in the Peninsula,
in which Spain resisted the efforts made by Bona
parte to impose member of his own family upon
the Spanish throne, and to subjugate that ancient
and naughty nation to the imperial sway, the most
liberal aid was afforded by the American provinces
to the mother country. 1t has been estimated that
Mexico alone contributed, within the brief period OF
few years, more than ninety millions of dollars to
aid in carrying this conflict On the restoration
Of peace however, the friends of liberty found cause
to lament the severe disappointment they were
doomed to experience. All the glorious hopes in
which they had INDUCED were defeated; all the
promises which, in the period Of danger and of trial
had been so literally made, were forgotten. Des-
potism resumed all her authority, and condemned
to the most ignominious punshments those who had
mainly contributed to rescue their country in the
hour of peril The same disappointments contrib
uted to rouse into fame the sparks of discomfort
throughout the American colonies. They were re-
mted to the tender mercies Of their old rulers-ther
industry repressed, their commerce interdcted, and
the ancient colonial policy re-esablished in all its
pristine vigor. The different provinces, hopeless
of redress, successfully dissolved their connection
with the parent country, declared their independ-
ence, and asserted the right of selfgovernment.
With little concert among themselves, each part
in accordance with its own view Of policy; and
among others, the various contiguous provinces,
of which Mexico was the chief, combined in the
effort to throw off the calling yoke.
The causes which induced this movement, the
principles upon which the contest was to be waged,
and, still more, the character of the political
institution which were established, attracted
the sympathies of the friends Of liberty throughout
the civilized word The close proximity of Mexico
to the United States and the facilities Of communca
ton which existed between the two countries, gave
an ardor and strength to this feeling Of sympathy,
which promised the most suspicious results.
When, in 1924, anew constitution was formed, so
striking an analogy existed between generalprin
cipes and the minute details which character
lied it, and those which distinguished our own in
stitutions that it almost seemed if every line of
distinction and wall Of separation were broken down
and INSTRUCTED. The people of the United States
regarded their Mexican neghbors with almost frater
nal affection; exultcd in their successes; mourned at
their reverses, and hailed with exulation their final
triumph, and the consummation of their struggle
for independence. We rejoiced at the anticipation
that these new republics, which had initiated our
example in emancipating themselves from the OPP
pressive yoke of colonial dependence, under the
same circumstances, and upon the same grounds
which had governed us--who had laid, in their frame
of government, the same broad platform of individ-
ual rights which lay at the foundation of our
institutions be linked with us in bonds and
connected with us by ties and interests, more du-
rable than had ever before subsisted between ma
tons.
So vehement were the feelings thus awakened
that all the energies of the Executive were demand
ed to keep us within those limits which our neutral
relations imposed. Nothing, however, could re-
strain the demonstrations ofprivate sympathy, or pre-
vent citizens from participating in the momentous
struggle Multitudes focked to the new-raised stand
ard Of liberty, from the United States, from England
Ireland, France, and Italy, many of whom distn-
guished themselves in the service, both by sea and
land.t Mexico opened her arms wide to receive all
who would come to her from any part of the world
In this posture Of her affairs she offered every in
ducement to the emigration, and every facility to the
naturalization, Of foreigners. Perhaps no nation has
ever adopted more liberal policy than Mexico pro-
mugated upon this subject By law passed in
1923, it was provided that call foreigners who come
to establish themselves within the empire shall be |
considered as naturaized, should they exercise any
useful profession or industry, by which, at the end
Of three years, they have capital to support them
selves, and are married. Those who, with the fore
going qualifications marry Mexicans, will acquire
particular merit for the obtaining letters of citizen
ship" BY another law, all the instruments of hus-
bandry, machinery, and other utensils, that in
troduced by the colonists for their use, are allowed
to be imported free of duty, 'as also merchandise
introduced by each family, to the extent Of two thou
sand dollars.n
Stimulated by all these circumstances, large num-
bers of foreigners, particularly citizens of the United
States, emigrated to this inviting country They
established themselves in every part of the domin-
ions of the republic, and occupied themselves in
every department of industry. As merchants along
the seaboard and in the cities, agrculturiss and
manufacturers they introduced, with no small amount
of capital, skill industry, habits of business, and
skill in all these various avocations. Prosperity be-
gan exhibit itself in every direction; commerce,
liberated from the restraints which had fettered its
movements, began to expand, and the immense re-
sources Of the country in rapid state of pro-
gressive development The trade with the United
States rose to upward Of nine millions of dollars am
nually, and largely contributed to the wealth and
comfort Of both nations.
This prosperous and happy aspect Of affairs spec
Oily underwent a change. The bulk of the people
Of Mexico, trained under the debasing influences of
a narrow and rigid despotsm, imperfecty compre.
,ended, and were wholly unable properly to sppre-
late, the fundamental principle of free government