The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-12-19


lZens,'
The Committee on Foreign Affairs Of the
Il ouse of Representatives made similar
Recommendation. In their report, they
fully concur with the Presiden, that ample
'ause exists for Isking redress into our own
hand, and believe that we should be jusllf,
led ip the opinion Of other na,loLs for taking
such step. Bot they sie willing 10 uy III,
lexperimen, Of another dema d. made in the
most solemn foim, upon the justice Of .h,
Mexican government, before any further
proceedings are adopted
| No difference of opinion upon tie sub
ject is believed to have existed in Congress
at ha, time. The Executive and Legisla-
tive departments concur;ed; and yet such
has been our forbearance, and desire to pre-
serve peace with Mexico, lha! The wtongs
Of which we then mplained and which
gave rise to these solemn proceedings, no.
only remain unredressed 10 ihIsl lday bus 'ad-
Idiional causes Of complaint, of an sggrava
ted character, have ever since been accunu
laiing.
Shortly after these proceedings, a special
messenger was despatched TO Mexico, It
uUdl uCllIdnh lOl lCulCocb dlu Oll Wv
twentieth of July, 1897, the demand was
made. The reply Of The Mexican govern.
neni bore date on the twenty-nin,h Of the
same month, and contained assurance of the
anxious wish Of The Mexican government
not 10 delay the moment Of that final and
lequilsbe adjustment which is 10 terminate
the existing difficulties between ,he two
governments that nothing should be left
Iundone which may contribute TO the subs
Ijecls which have so seriously engaged the
attention Of The American government;' that
HE Mexican government would adopt, as
the only guides for lis conduct, the panesI
principles Of public right, the sacred obIiga
tions imposed by international law, and lhe
Religious faith OF treaties and .ha, 'whalev
|er reason and justice may dictate respecting
each case will be done
The assurance was further given, thai
the decision Of the Mexican government, up.
on each cause of complaint, for which rr-
dress had been demanded, should be CON-
nunicaled to the govelnmen, OF the United
States by the Mexican minister al WASH
lngton.
These solemn assurances, in answer t.
,ur demand for redress, were disregarded
By making them, however, Mexico obtain
ed further delay, President Van Buren,, iu
his annual message 10 Congress of filth Of
December, 1897, states, that, although ih'
arger number of our demands Tor redress
'nd many of them aggravated cases OF pei
sonsl wrongs, have been now for years be
ore the Mexican government. and some tI
he causes of complaint, and those Of Ih'
most offensive character, admitted OF imme
iia.e, simple, and satisfactory replies, II is
nly, within few day 5 past lhal any spe,
clic communication in answer 10 our last
lem and, made five months ago, has been
received from the Mexican minister and
that for not one OF our public complaints
mas satisfaction been otfered-iha! but one
of The cases Of personal wrong has been Ga-
Vorsby considered, and that bul four cases
of both descriptions, out OF all those lorma'
y presented, and earnestly pressed, have
as ye: been decided upon by The Mexican
government
Presiden, Van Buren, believing iha, ii
would be vain to make any further alempr
to obtain redress by the ordinary means
within the power Of the Executive, Ccmmu
nicaled this opinion to Congress, in the
message referred 10, in which he said. On
careful and deliberate examination tf the
conlenls.' (of the correspondence with the
Mexican governmenl) 'and considering tht
spirit manifested by The Mexican govern
ment, il has become my painful duly TO re-
turn the subtc as il now Stands TO Cor
gress, to whom II belongs to decide upon
he time, lhe mode, and The measure of re-
dress Had the United States al that time
adopted compulsory measures, and taken
redress into .helr hands, oil our dihiculle,
with Mexico would probably have bee n long
since adjusted aud lhe existing war have,
been averled.
Msgnanimty and moderation on our paI
only had the effect 10 compicale these diff
Iicutes, aud render an amicable settlement
lol them ihe more embarrassing. That
such measures of redress under similar
provocslons, committed by any Of the pow
erlu nations Of Europe, would have beer
promptly resorled to by he United State,
capnot be doubted, The naIiona! honor
and The preservation OF The national charac'
Ter throughout The world as well as our owl
lsel[>resp peci, and the protection due TO oul
own clizens, would have rendered sucn "
resor. indispensable. The history Of u'
civilized nation in modern times has pre-
scented within so brief period 60 many
wsnton attacks upon tho honor OF It's flag
and the property and persons of lls cl8ens
as had at lha, time been borne by the Uni.