The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-03
new Mexico.


few days ago we presented some remarks the
confusion which prevails in New Mexico, growing out
of the illegal exercise OF executive and military authority
in the civil affairs of the Territory. But the later
which publish to-day Comprised in the correspond
ence between Colonel Munroe and Manuel Alvarez,
the newly elected governor of New Mexico, and the
letter of Major Weightman TO the Presidency shows
that confusion has become worse confounded.
In the case both Of New Mexico and California the
fundamental principles of government have been set
at naught by executive usurpaton and the natural con-
sequence u.s. stated the other day. one wrong act
has led TO Others When true landmarks are dsregarded
every step adds perpexity and danger Had the wiser
counses of Mr. Polk been regarded by General Taylor
and Mr.. Fillmore, there would have been no diff
Guilty But unfortunately they not; and now
the idea that military force may properly interfere
with civil affairs, and that military officers, not amena-
BILE to Congress- may discharge legislative functions.
has become familiar to the mind 1t should not be
80. Mr. Polk took the true ground. He stated ex-
pcitly that the governments which were instituted
by him in California and New Mexico, by virtue Of
his power as commander n-chef OF the army and navy
Of the United States during would cease to be valid
after the conclusion OF treaty OF peace. Alter the
treaty was made he stated that the military governments
existed de aeto but not de ure, and advised the nhab
i,anis of the Territories submit them until Congress
could discharge its functions.
After General Taylor inaugurated new position
was taken. An agent was secretly despatched to Cali
forna for the purpose OF urging the inhabitants of that
Territory TO frame State constitution and demand admit
lance State. General Riley, the military commander
sustained by General Taylor in calling convention
to assemble at Monterey for the purpose OF framing
State constitution and establishing State government
The convention assembled, the constitution was adopt
ed State officers elected and, without the sanction the
knowledge OF Congress, State erected on the Pa
ci6c General Riley transferred the authority Of the Uni
ted States TO the organization; and at this moment
we have all the machinery of State in full operaton
with its executive legislative and judiciary departments
in California which is Territory OF the United States
All these things approved by the late admnsa-
lion, and the present administration is following in its
footsteps
These things were done in California. In New Mexi-
co the same game was commenced. Recommendations,
amounting TO direct instructions, issued by the late
administration and sustained by the present admnistra
ton, which required the military commandant at Santa
Fe the possession of which claimed by and yielded
TO Texas to follow in the footsteps OF General Riley
Accordingly, Colonel Munroe issued his proclamation
calling a convention to assemble in Santa Fe for the
purpose OF framing State constitution, with the object
OF applying for admission into the Union after the man.
ner OF California His convention met and il followed in
the footsteps OF the Monterey convention, by framing
constitution, eecing State officers and it was about TO
put State in operation, but Colonel Munroe
seemed 10 think that he had followed the California pre-
cedent far enough Thereupon he informed the lieu.
tenant governor that. in issuing his proclamation calling
he did not intend permit the government
which the convention nigh, frame to 20 into operation
further than might be necessary for the primary steps
OF organization. and the presentation OF said constitution
properly before the Congress of the United States To
this the lieutenant governor, Don Manuel Alvarez,
replies at lengih-hs reply being partly rdicule and
partly argument
II hardly necessary 10 say that both Colonel Munroe
and Lieutenant Governor Alvarez clearly wrong
The foundation which each of them builds is faulty
and defective and cannot sustain itselfto say nothing
OF superintendent weight. Colonel Munroe had no more
right to issue proclamation calling convention than
we have; for he is no more citizen Of New Mexico
than we are And after convention had assembled and
government was organized by tina, convention he had
no more right to interfere with il than we have He was
estopped BY his act On the other side Lieutenant
Governor Alvarez is equally wrong, save and except
that he pre,ends to act in civil, and not in military
capacity We agree with Don Alvarez that the call for