The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-26

the Constitution requires this and every conside
ration Of the public good demands this. If the
Administration cannot stand upon the principles
of the message it does not expect to stand at al
[DANIEL WEBsrER's Letter TO the Union Meeting
at Westchester.
OF tho ~Union"-thc Mexican
Frontier.
BY fits and starts the Union newspaper is
great admirer of law and order. II is in favor Of
the strictest enforcement of all laws that square
with its own peculiar notions. 1t never mani
tested, however, any reverence for the neu-
trality law and yesterday, in paroxysm of
joy at the termination Of the prosecutions against
HENDERsoN and others, charged with being
concerned in the descent upon Cuba, it could
not avoid expressing its contempt. 1t pro-
nounces the law under which the prosecutions
were instituted sold and forgotten;" and
seems to think that the Administration should
have suffered this " old and forgotten law" to
be violated with IMMUNITY, and that all pro
ceedings looking to its enforcement or vindica-
ton were " ridiculous"
We differ with the Union on this point.
We think that all laws, SO long as they stand
upon the statute book, ought to be maintained.
If they are ''old," so much the more reason for
them-if they are "forgotten," SO
much the more reason for bringing them to the
public mind. As to the applicability of the
law in the case alluded to, it is enough to say
that the circumstances were such as, in the
opinion of a grand jury, authorized an indict-
ment under it. We do not regret that the
prosecutions have been discontinued; not be-
cause we have any doubt Of the propriety of
instituting them, but because we think that
majesty Of the law and to serve as warning
hereafter to all projectors Of piratical expedi-
tions against nations at peace with the United
States.
But there is another part of the Union's
article which we design more particularly to
notice. After sneering at the Administration
for its " ridiculous" course in refusing to permit
the laws to be trodden under foot, it goes on to
say:
The same means expended foolishly, and, ~
we humbly think, illegally, in preventing descents
on Cuba, would have protected our own citizens in
Texas from the horrors of Indian warfare, and pro-
tected the national faith, a. plainly pledged to
Mexico, to keep in check the Indians in our own
territories. But to keep our faith with Mexico
would have made no stir in the world--to show q
zeal in enforcing obsolete and inap-
plicable law might call forth concentrations from
Europe. Hence the choice"
This miserable fling at the Administration
from the organ of the Democracy affords us a
fitting opportunity to show how it happens that
ample protection has not been afforded to the
people of New Mexico, and to place the re-
for the neglect Of their safety and
Of treaty stipulations where it properly belongs.
knows that the Administration can
only use such means as Congress places in its
hands. To this extent it has exerted itself to
the utmost and yet it is well known tn at the
military force stationed in New Mexico has
been wholly inadequate to the protection Of the
frontier,
The PRESIDENT was prompt to take the only
means in his power to remedy this deficiency.
He brought the subject in the most prominent
manner to the attention of Congress. urging
them, with an unusual pointedness, to authorize
the raising Of regiments Of mounted troops for
the, protection of the country against Indian
outrages. We quote from the annual mes
sage:
s'Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by pow
srful tribes of indiana. who source of constant
terror and annoyance to the inhabitants. Separat-
ing into small predatory bandBand always mount
ed, they overrun the country, devastating farms,
crops, driving of whole herds of cattle
and occasionally numbering tho inhabitants or car
rying them into captivity. The great roads lead
ing into the country infested with them, where
by travelling il rendered extremely dangerous,
and immigration il almost entirely arrested. The
Mexican frontier which, by tho 18th article of the
treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, we are bound to
protect against the Indians within our border.
10 exposed TO these incursions equally with our
own. The military force stationed in that coun-
Try (although forming large proportion of
our army is represented as entirely inadequate
10 our own protection, and the fulflmont of our
treaty stipulatons with Mexico The principal
10 in cavalry; and l recommend that
Congress should, at a. early period n practical
bic, provide for the raising of one or moro regi
ncnts Of mounted men,"
The General-in-chief, in his report to the
ecrctary Of War, says:
"Tho great extent of our frontiers, and the pc
,uliar character of the service devolving on the |
roops render II indispensable that the caraIry ee
mont should enter largely into the composition Of
Tho army. Isoo additional regiments Of horse (dra-
yoons or mounted rihemcn) arc dcomed absolutely |
The Secretary Of War, in his report, says:
"It is therefore very much to be desired that
Congress will, at carly period. consider the
,roprety Of increasing the army, and particularly
II raising one or moro regiments Of mounted men."
This is not all. The Secretary Of the Int
'ior in his report also gives to Congress infor-