Democratic banner., 1846-12-21

Maid IN i've years, Ill 6Hudl lnSLdlilcuIS every
three months" Notwithstanding this new
convention was entered into at the request
of Mexico, and for the purpose Of relieving
her from embarrassment, the claimants have
only received the interest due on the thirti-
eth Of April, 1913, and three of the twenty
instruments. Although the payment of the
sum thus liquidated and confessedly due by
Mexico to our citizens as Indemnify for ac-
knowledged acts ofoutrage, and wrong, was
secured by treaty, the obligations of which
are ever held sacred by alljust nations, yet
Mexico has violated this solemn engagement
by failing and refusing to make the payment.
The two instruments due in April and July,
1914, under the circumstances connected
with them, have been assumed by tie Uni
ted States and di~schargedto the claimants,
fut they are still due by Mexico. But this
is not all of which we have Just cause Of
complaint. To provide a remedy for the
claimants whose causes were not decided
BY the joint commission under the conven-
ton of April the eleventh, 1889, it was ex-
pressly stipulated by the sixth article of the
convention of the thirtieth of January, 1913,
that 4 new convention shall be entered into
for the settlement Of all claims of the gov
ernment and citizens of the United States
against the republic of Mexico, which were
not finally decided by ;he late commission,
which met in the city Of Washington, and
and of all claims of the government and
citizens of Mexico against the United
States"
In conformation with this stipulation, a
Ill .o. oo.l,J,l nd rnol
n the city Of Mexico On the Goth of Novem-
Der, 1913, by the plenipotentiaries of tho
two governments, by which provision was
made for ascertaining and paying these
claims. In January 'S44, this convention
was ratified by the Senate of the United
States with two amendments which were
maniirStly reasonable in their character
Upon 4 reference of the amendments pro-
posed to the government of MOxico, the
same evasions, difficulties, and delays were
interposed which have so long marked the
policy Of that government tawards the Uni
ted States. 1t has not even yet decided
them, although the subject has been repea-
teddy pressed upon its consideration.
Mexico has thus violated a second time
the faith of treaties, by failing or refusing to
carry into effec ct the sixth article ofthe Con-
v~ention of January, 1S43.
Such is the history of the wrongs which
we have suffered and patiently endured
from Mexico, through d long series of years.
So far from affording unreasonable satisfaction
for the injuries and insults we had borne, a
great aggrevation Of them consists in the
fact, that while the United States, anxious
to preserve a good understanding with Mex
leo, have been constantly, but vainly en-
ployei in seeking redress for past wrongs.
new outrages were constantly occurring,
which have continued to increase our caus-
es of complaint, and to swell the amount of
our demands. While the citizens Of the,
United States were conducting a lawful
with Mexico, under a guaranty,
Of a treaty of '.amity, and navi-
CATION" many Of them have suffered all the
injuries which would have resulted from
open war. This treaty instead Of affording
protection to our citizens, has been the
means of inviting them into the por:s Of
Mexico, that they might be, as they have
been in numerous instances, %plundered Of
their property aud deprived of their perso-.
nal liberty, iftlIey dared insist On their rights.
Had the unlawful seizures Of American ro-
perry, and the violence of personal liberty
of our citizens, to say nothing Of the insults
to our flag, which have occurred in the ports
Of Mexico, taken place on the high seas,
they would themselves long since have
constituted 4 state of actual war bctwscnI
the two countries. In so long sufft ring
Mexico to violate her most solemn treaty
obligations, plunde. our citizens of their
property, and iinprison their persons, with
out affording them any redress, We have
failed to perform one of the first and high
est duties which every government owestn
- .itiv"ns: and t:ic Consequence has been.
Ilat many OF t'.e"o ave been reduced from
a state Of aMuence to bankruptcy. me.
proud name of American citizen, which.
ought to protect all who bea-i it from insult
and injury throughout the world, has affor-I
ded no such protection to our citizens III
Mexico. We had ample cause of war "a!
gainst Mexico long before the breaking out
Of hostilities. But even then we forbore toj
take redress in our own hands, until MexieoI
herself became the aggressor, by invading
our soil in hostile array, and shedding the