Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-12-11

and inseparably blended, and they ought to
have seen that this course was best calculated
10 enable the United States to extend 10 them
the most liberal justice. On the thirtieth of
December, 1916, General Herrera resigned the
presidency, and yielded up the government to
General Paroles without struggle. Thus a
revolution was accomplished solely by the ar
my commanded by Paroles, and the supreme
power in Mexico passed into the hands of a
military usurper, VINO was known to be Bit
terly hostile 10 the United States.
Although the prospect Of pacific adjust
ment with the new government was unProtn'
ising, from the known hostility Of its head 10
the United States, yet, determined that noun
ing should be left undone on our part 10 restore
friendly relations between the two conntrles'
our minister was Instructed to present his cre-
dentiaIs 10 the new government, and ask TO be
accredited bv it in the diplomatic character in
which he had been commissioned. These Inc
strnclions he executed by his note of the FIRST
of March, 1916, addressed to the Mexican
Minister of Foreign Affairs, but his request
was insutin9ly refused by that minister in
his answer of the twelfth of the same month.
No alternative remained for our minister but
to demand his passports and return TO the
United States,
Thus was the extraordinary spectacle pre-
scented to tie civilized world, of government,
in violation Of its own express agreement,
having twice rejected a minister OF peace, in
vested with full powers 10 adjust all the exist
ing differences Between the two countries in a
manner Just and honorable TO both. am not
aware that modern history presents q parallel
case, in which, in time of peace, one nation
has refused even to hear propositions from
another for terminating existing difficulties be-
tween them. Scarcely hope of adjusting
our difficulties, even at a remote day, or Of
preserving peace with Mexico, could be cher
ished while Paroles remained at the head of
the government. He had acquired the su-
preme power by military revolution, and up
on the most solemn pledges to wage war
against the United States, and to reconquer
Texas, which he claimed as revolted prov
ince Of Mexico. He had denounced as gull
ty of treason all those Mexicans who consiG-
cred Texas as no longer constituting part of
the territory of Mexico, and who were friend
" to the cause Of peace. The duration of the
war which he waged against the u. States
was indefinite, because the end which he pro-
posed, th5 reconquest of Texas, was hope
less. Besides, there was good reason 10 be-
lieVe, from all his conduct, that it was his in
tention to convert the republic Of Mexico into
a monarchy, and to call foreign European
prince to the throne. Preparatory to this end,
he had, during his short rule, destroyed the
liberty of the press, :olerating that portion Of
it only which openly advocated the establish
ment Of monarchy. The better to secure
the success of his Ultimate designs, he had,
by an arbitrary decree, convoked Congress
not to be elected by the free voice Of the
people, but to be chosen in manner to make
them subservient to his will, and 10 give him
absolute control over their deliberations.
Under all these circumstances, it was be-
lieved that any revolution in Mexico, founded
upon opposition to the ambitious projects Of
Paroles, would tend to promote the cause of
peace as well as prevent any attempted Euro
pean interference IN the affairs of the N orth
American continent-both objects Of deep in
terest to the United States. Any such foreign
interference, if attempted, must have been re-
sisted by the United States. My views upsn
that subject were fully communicated to Con
gTGss ia my last annual message. In any
event, it was certain that no change whatever
in the government of Mexico which would
deprive Paroles of power could be for the
worse, SO far as the United States were con-
cerned, while it was highly probable that any
change must be for the better. This was the
state of affairs existing when Congress, on
the thirteenth Of May last, recognised the ex-
islence Of the war which had been commenc.
ed by the government of Paroles, and it be-
came an object of much importance, with a
view to a speedy settlement Of our difficulties
and the restoration Of an honorable peace,
that Paroles should not retain power in Next
CO.
Before that time there were symptoms Of a
revolution in Mexico, favored, as it was un.
derstood TO be, by the more liberal party, and
especially by those who were opposed to TO-
reign interference and TO the mOnarchIal form
of government. Santa Anna was then in ex-
lie in Havana, having been expelled from
power and banished from his country by a
revolution which occurred in December, 1874;
but it was known that he had still conside-
Iable party in his favor in Mexico. 1t was
also equally well known that no vigilance
which could be exerted by our squadron would
in all probability, have prevented him from
e1ecting landing some where on the exten.
sve gulf coast Of Mexico, if he desired to
return to his country. He had openly profess
ed an entire change of policy; had expressed
his regret that he had subverted the federal
constitution of 1924, and avowed that he was
now in favor of its restoration. He had pub
jcly declared his hostility, in the strongest
terms, to the establishment Of monarchy
and to European interference in the affairs OF
his country.
Information to this effect had been received
from sources believed to be reliable, at the
date Of the recognition of the existence Of the
war by Congress, and was afterwards fully
confirmed by the receipt Of the despatch o
our consul In the city Of Mexico, with the &C
companying documents, which are herewith
transmitted. Besides, it was reasonable tt
suppose that he must see the ruinous conse
qnences TO Mexico Of war with the UniteC
States, and that it would be his interest to IA.
Vor peace.
1t was under these circumstances and upor
these considerations that i: was deemed expe
dient not to obsruct his return to Mexico
should he attempt to do 80. Our object was
the restoration of peace; and with that view
no reason was perceived why we should TAXI
part with Paroles, and aid him, by means o
our blockade, in preventing the return OF hi
rival to Mexico. On the contrary, it was be
lfVed that the intestine divisions which ordl
nary saeacity could not but anticipate as thu
fruit of Santa Annals return to Mexico, ant
his contest with Paroles, might strongly ten'
90 produce disposition with both parties t.
restore and preserve peace with the UnIte'
States. P2redes was so.dierby profession
and monarchlSt in principle. He had blu
recently before been successful IN mllltar,
revolution, by which he had obtained power
Ne was the sworn esemy Of the United States