The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-02

exclusively the condition of the quarter of the globe
which they belong But when II proposed or threat
ened to extend TO ourselves similar sysemot balances,
with all Its danger OF abuse and usurpaon hold to
De our duly to inquire on what grounds rests that we
may be prepared to resist all practical application OF to
The independent States in this hemisphere.
MI. President the declaration OF nj Guizot could
hafdy nave been made without the previous appreciation
OF the government OF which he the organ The same
sovereign occupies the throne of Francethe same min
ser stands before as the exponent of his opinions Is
me uecldrauoh 10 De regarded mere idle annuncla
hon, IN words OF design never intended to be carried
INTO pfacuce Let me answer the question by the brief
est possible reference to circumstances France was the
coadutor OF England in the attempt to induce Tex
as to decline annexation TO the Union Failing in
this she attempted 10 accomplish the same object
indirectly, by persuadng Mexico to recognise the indie
pendence of Texas condition that the latter should
remain Independent State These terms We're offered
to Texas and rejected In the year 1914 believe less
than twelve months before NJ Guizot's declaration was
made and the coincidence in point OF time is remarka-
ble book on Oregon and California published in
Paris by order OF the King of France under the auspices
OF Marshal Soult, president OF the council, and M Gu-
got minister OF foreign affairs, and written by M. de
Mofras, who attached to the French legation in
Mexico The brst part OF the work is devoted to Mex
lco, and certainly contains remarkable passages
He speaks OF the establishment of a European monarchy
as project which had been suggested the only one
calculated 10 put end to the divisions and annihae
the factions which desolated that beautiful country He
says the Catholic religion and family relations with the
ancient possessors of the country would he the first
dons required of the princes who should be called to
reconstruct there monarchical government He then
adds
"Tte inanas of Spain, The French princes, and the
achtukes OF Austria fulfil these conditions and may
present himself, he would be unanimously welcomed by
the Mexican people.
tons
The establishment in Mexico of monarchy Of any de-
the first object of policy Tor we know that the ins,a
bty attached the actual form of its brings
with IT disadvantages Tor commerce and
for our people"
He adds, that if Mexico is to preserve her republican
form of government her incorporation into the Union oil
the north would favorable to France than her
existing condition. account of the development of
merce and all the guarantees of liberty security, and JUS
tce which his comparots would enjoy; and that Eng
France would gain. Thus, though the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
and absorption OF Mexico by the United States
garded by M de Mofras preferable to the commercial
monopoly and the "speces of political sovereignty, as
he denomnates it. which England has exercised in that
country, the first object of France, according to him.
reconstruction of monarchy in Mexico. with foreign
prince on the throne, and this prince from branch
of the Bourbon family The opinions contained this
book are nc put forth the speculaons of pri
vate person They are the opinions of agent of the
government; the publication is made by order of the
King and under the auspices of his two chief minister's
and so stated IN the ttepage do not to hold the
government OF FRANCE responsible for all the opinions
have quoted, concerning, as they do, grave subject
the international relations of France with Mexico
and OF Mexico with the United States would have been
put form without modification under such high official
sanctions, If they had been viewed with positive disa
vor! 1t appears to me that constrained to view
them like the declaration of M Guzot though certainly
not to the same extent possessing official character
which we are not at liberty wholly to disregard and
more particularly when consider the one in connex-
ion with the other
And now sir, ask, do not these opinions and declara-
hons-especay when we look to the open and direct in
reference of Great Britain and France by force of
in the domestic affairs of some of the South American
yaDr -f,rnI t,cfr 1vnI
OF apprehension II we should retire from Mexico without
treaty and as enemies, that it might become theatre
for the exercise of influences of most unrendy charac
ter to US With the aid of the monarchical party in
Mexico, might there not be danger that the avowed de-
sign OF establishing throne might be realized The
chances OF open lnerposon are un1uestionaby dimin
shed by the results of the war; but constrained
believe the chances of secret interference increased
by the avdty they mpue to us for territorial extension
Ought not this danger to influence to extent
own conduct, at least far as to dissuade us from
abandoning until better prospect of durable peace
shall exist, the advantage we have gained as belger-
ents' We know great majority of the Mexican people
are radically aversc to any other than republican form
OF government; but we know, aso the proneness of
people among whom anarchy regns triumphant, TO seek
any refuge which promises the restoration of tranquility
and social order.
Mr. President, any attempt by European power to
terpose in the affairs of Mexico either TO establish
to maintain, in the language of M Guizot.
" the equ brum of the great political forces America
would be the signal for far important in its
consequences and nscruabe in its issues, than this.
public opinion OF the country would compel to resist
it. We are committed by the most formal declarations,
first made by President Monroe in 1929 and repeated by
the present Chief Magistrate of the Union We have
protested, in the most solemn manner against any further
colonization by European powers this continent We
have protested against any interference In the political
of the independent States in this hemisphere
protest, 1t is true, does not imply that the ground if
assumes is to be maintained at all hazards, and if
cessary, by force of arms Great Britain protested
against the interference of France in the affairs of
Spain in 1923; she has recently protested against
the absorption of Cncow by Austria violation of the
political order OF Europe, settled Vienna by the allied
sovereigns, and against the Monpenser marriage
violation OF the treaty of Utrecht but do not remem-
Der that in either case she did anything than topro
claim to the world her scent from the against which
she entered her protest 1t has always seemed to
be unwise in government to put forth manesos with
out being prepared to maintain them by acts to make
declarations OF abstract principle until the occasion has
arrived for enforcing them The declarations OF Presl-
dent having no power to make war without a vote OF
Congress, even to employ the military force of the
country except to defend own territory. is very diff
ferent from the protest OF sovereign holding the issues
of peace and in his hands But the former may
be less efectual when they sustained believe
those of Presidents Monroe and Polk are in respect to
European interference on the American continent by
undivided public opinion, even though they may not
have received formal response from Congress Ihod,
therefore, If any such inerposton that To which
have referred, should take place, resistance part
would inevitably follow, and should become involved
in controversies OF which could foresee the end
Before quit this part of the subject desire advert
to some circumstances recently made public. and true,
indicating significantly the extent which Great Britain
Is disposed 10 carry her encroachments this continent
as IN every quarter of the globe On the of Hondu
ras, IN Central America, commonly called the Mosquito