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

country may, at the termination of every contest, lay
aside the massive and burdensome parts OF its
and become prepared, with energies renewed by that
very capacity, for succeeding scenes of danger
Mr. President, the political condition of Mexico has
been gradually approaching dissolution of all RESPONSE
Bile government and of the civil order, which constitutes
her an independent State This lamentabe situation is
not the fruit alone OF our military successes The fac
hons by which that country has been distracted each
turn gaining and maintaining temporary ascendency,
and often by brute force lie at the foundation of the
cla and political disorder which has regned there for the
last twenty years To most OF the abuses OF the old
onal system of Span she has superadded the evils of
an unstable and irresponsible government The military
bodies which have been the instruments OF those who
have thus, in succession gained brief and precarious
control over her affairs though dispersed sui exist ready
to be reunited and to the anarchy which have
SUPERSEDED for the time being by military government;
and this brings TO the first great objection to the propo
slllon OF withdrawing our armies from the field.
have already said that policy deserve sup
port which does not hold out the promise of durable
peace Nothing seem, to unlikely to so
desirable result, than abandonment OF Mexico by us,
at the present moment, without treatyeaving behind
strong feeling of anlmosy towards us, with party di-
visions as strongly marked and political anmosites as
rancorous perhaps, as they have been at any former Pc
Rod Even when her capital had fallen, humbled and
ing for the common good were seen struggling with each
other for the barren scepe OF her authority Our retire
ment, as enemies, would in all probability, be the
signal for intestine conflicts as desperate and san
culinary as those in which they have been engaged
with us-conficts always the disastrous for the
great body of the Mexican people; for on what side
sOeVer fortune tufnS they are certain to be the
TINS. You know sir, there are two great parties in
Mexico pass by the minor divisions-the 'Jederai
astas" and "centralistas" The former their name i'm
ports, in favor of the ederatve system they the
true republican party. With us, in former times the
terms federal and republican designated different parties
In Mexeo they are both employed to designate the
friends of the federative system The cenaliss in
favor OF consolidated government, republican
archca in form and are composed of the army the cer
gy and, suppose, small portion OIL the population. /
believe only hope of obtaining durable peace lies in
the firm establishment of the federal party in powerthe
party represented by Herrera, Anaya, Pena Pena, Cam
pdo, and others understand Herrera has been elect
vorable indication But unfortunately, fear this party
would not succeed in maintaining itself, Mexico Were
lett to herself at the present moment, with an embittered
feeling OF hostility towards us The military chiefs
who controlled the army, and who might rally it again
for political uses, if to retire without treaty
are, for the most part enemies OF the fedeatve system
and conservators OF the popular abuses, to which they
owe their wealth and Importance. Nothing could be
more unfortunate for Mexico than the establishment
Of these men in power. 1t would bring with it hope
less pepeuation of the anarchy and oppression which
have given character TO their supremacy in past years
a supremacy without prospect OF ameioraton in the
condition of the Mexican peopea supremacy, of which
the chef variation has been exchange of military
despo for another
Caamous as the restoration of this party to their for
mer ascendency would be for Mexico, it would hardly
be less for us Relying military force for their sup
port their policy would be to continue the pre-
text for maintaining the army in full strength, or,
least, terminate il till peace would insure their
supremacy 1t is believed that these considerations
have been leading motives in the resistance they have OPP
posed to us 1t is true, the republican party has been
equally hostile, so far external indications show but
the fact is accounted for by their desire to the
continued until the army and its leaders, the great
mes OF the federative system are overhrown Undoubt
edly the obstinate refusal of Mexico to make peace may
be very properly referred to the natural evaporation of
every people whose soil is invaded; but there can be
little doubt that it has been influenced in inconsider
able degree by considerations growing out OF party dvi
sons, and the jealousy and animoses to which those
divisions have given rise My confidence in our ability
to make an amcabe arrangement with the federal party,
1t were in undispued possession of the government
arises from the belief that their motives honestthat
they have at heart the public welfare-and that they
there is no hope for Mexico but in a solid peace
with My utter distrus of the centrasts arises from
the belief that their objects selfish, and that to
complish them, they would not hesitate to sacrifice
the Liberties of the people and the prosperity of the
country. But whether | err in these views not,
feel quite confident | do not err in believing that
if our armies were to be withdrawn from Mexico
without peace, the flames of civil dscord would be
rekndled in that unhappy country, and burn with
doubled violence. should greatly fear that the military
chiefs would succeed in establishing Their ascendency
and that no probable limit could be assigned to the dura
ton of the war If am right true policy is to stand
firm and if possible, united, until wiser counses shall
prevail IN Mexico and disposition shall be shown to
come to an amcabe arrangement with us on reasonable
terms
The objection have stated to the proposition of with
drawing our forces from Mexico, concerns only the rea
tons which now exist may exist hereafter, between
the two countries If there other objection. the
question might be decided upon considerations touching
only their domestic interests and their mutual rights.
But come to the second obecion-one, perhaps, OF
graver import than the first because supposes the pos
sbty, if not the probability of interference in her
affairs by other countries, If we were to retire without
treaty and without commercial arrangements, which 1t
would be power to enforce. The President alluded
TO the subject in his annual message at the opening OF
Congress- and expressed apprehension of danger from
that participate in It, shall assign the grounds
which il rests; and only regret that. in stating them
with the mnnteness necessary make them fully under
stood shall be compelled TO draw much more largely
than desire on the patience of the Senate.
Senators doubtless that the right of nterven
ton in the affairs OF this continent formally asserted
in the French Chamber of Deputies in the year s45 by
NJ Guzot minister of foreign affairs, the organ OF the
government of France He regarded the great powers
this continent as divided into three groups, namely Great
Britain, the United States and the States of Spanish ORR
GIN and he declared that it belonged to France pro-
States and the equilibrium OF the great political forces in
America" To this declaration have thought if not out
of place conneXon with the subject under discussion
call the attention of the Senatenoi for the purpose
of undertaking the formal reutaon of which think the
whole doctrine OF intervention, it has been practically
enforced in Europe is clearly susceptblebut for the
purpose of denying it founded upon any well -esab-
foundation, OF denying its applicability to the political
condition OF this continent To enter fully into the
animation of this important subject would require
time than it would be proper for me to devote to it,
propose only TO pass rapidly over few of the principal
considerations 1t suggests
The declaration Of M Guizo was the first public and
official inmaton by European government OF an in
tention to interfere with the political condition of the in
dependent communities the continent of America and
relations to each other And if it had been presented in
| other than that n abstract