The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-12

isthmus except with The express permission Of Mexico
shall guaranty .his monopoly by deducng twenty live
per from the corporate charges ia their favor they
han ALL those who there constructing ibis work
required 70 enounce their right projection OF
liens"
Now, sir you see what the whole difficulty is that
what Is Claimed for these American pIopeloIs is that
they shall not be obliged 10 denaonaze themselves but
that Mexico shall be obliged 10 denatonaiize herself
that the Congress OF the United States the citizens OF
the United States shall have control the
OF the ishmus 10 all the particulars which have been
read from the speech OF the honorable senator. Now,
consider the condition OF the United States. which will
not portray consider the present condition OF Mexico
which need describe consider The character OF The
population OF The United States and OF Mexico which
need not illustrates consider The extent OF the franchises
thus insisted upon aud tell me what result happen
Mexico, by her concedng what is demanded OF her
short OF dsmemberment sooner or later OF the Mexi-
nation, dissolution OF the federal Union OF the
States and the extinction OF the republic OF Mexico.
it, while we are here, that extinction has not already
about Sir an that Mexico will not be self.
sustaining power She must be sustained by somebody
Except the United States, there is no American power
that guaranty the maintenance OF government in
Mexico The United States will not consent that any
European power shall guaranty the preservation OF gov
eminent haFe. The Monroe doctrine. and the traditions
cherished by US, prohibit that What then AS con
sequence OF making these CONCESSIONS Mexico must fall
INTO the United States
Mr.. President, began this examination If not in favor
oil the Propositions OF the committee at least favorable
result which would enable to support these claim
ioe to say that cannot vote TO sustain the resolutions
will now briefly review the points made by the commit
tee, in my own order A, first, this point is made by the
committee
citizens protect them eli their rights, abroad well as
at home, within the sphere of It's jurisdiction"
hope the Senate has considered the length and the
breadth OF this proposition. obliged TO ask some
modification of it. glad 10 know that have the
support OF MIR. Hagous, who has charge of this clam,
and also Of the late distinguished Secretary OF Stale.
ia he not hp nrla
that subject Mr. HaIgous tells U.S. his letter TO the
late Secretary Of State, Mr. Webster, when invoking the
Intervention Of the government.
They that in ordinary cases it is not the
practice OF The United ates officially
ere in behalf Of citizens OF the United States Who may
plain o. ms violation oil contract which they have
entered into with foreign government but inasnuch
AZ general rules have lheir exceptions and as the ntees,
Of the American government and public. and especially
those OF the citzens OF the West and Southwest largely
Halter themselves that IN any ussconpain they may have
the Mexican government they shall
receive tue hearty protection of their own.
''Your upon this point especially respectfully
soilcited, and will be anxiousy awaited /"
Here these proprietors telling the government of
the United States that they know that what they ask for
is exception TO the law of nations, practised by this
government. There is the honorable Committee on
Foreign Relations telling us that the rule is universal
| shall subscribe to this rule with some qualifications
which will submit TO the consideration of the Senate
The lrst qualification is, that the rights OF citizen
which the government is bound TO protect are just
nghs-not unjust ones; that they not unjust,
conscientious, or immoral rights.
Mr. MASON. What is Just right?
Mr.. SEWARD say just rights in distinction from
legal rights. According the honorable senator's no.
tons and mine, there things that right because
they are declared by law There things that right
whether they declared by law not. The second
qualification is, that the rights which the government is
bound TO protect must be certain and absolute
tain doubtful. Third that the right of the individual
TO the protection OF his government subordinate the
general welfare and interest of the State. Upon this
point. as the honorable chairman OF the the committee
will give some authority, l will repose myself on Mr.
Wehotere HarROus. L
have already submitted:
"Should the prove otherwise, however, it ca nno
be doubled that In such in which the interests OF in
divduas would be obviously subordinate those OF the
public, any other means which might be necessary for
your protection woad be authorized and employed"
The protection which government, owes 10 its citi-
zens is protection according 10 circumstances pro-
lection consistent with public justice and The public well
fare The government may discharge itself of lie ob
cations IN some cases by leaving the individual 10 main
tain his domestic rights in the domestic courts, and ii
may leave the citizen who has rights under foreign
government to seek redress from that government in
courts or otherwise. There never was, and never will
be, government which be under obligation 10 lis
citizens by which one of them having for the purpose OF
commerce or speculation, made contract with the sub
jects OF another country with the government OF
other country, can pso fseo involve the nation TO which
he belongs IN reprsals or war 10 compel that govern
ment 10 execute lis contract hat would be TO enable
one citizen, at the suggestion OF his interest or
price. TO put in jeopardy the interest welfare. happiness
or safety OF all other citizens Leas, OF all there be
any such principle OF tue law OF nations applied in a
where the contract is disputed OF doubtful moral.
lily validity. This dsposes OF the first proposition OF
the committee.
Their second proposition is,
That should Mexico within reasonable time fail 10
reconsider her position concerning sad grant IL will
become the duly of this government the existing
relations with that republic and demand such measures
as win preserve tse honor Of the county and the rights OF
its citizens"
This is a coroary from the first proposition and falls
with it. Their third proposition is
THAT in tho present posture OF the question IL Is not
compatible with the dignity Of ,hs prose
cute the subject further by negotiation IL Mexico there
fore, shall osr further negotiation, IL shalt be declined
less II shall be offered based upon terms"
This also is ooroary from the first proposition, and
falls with IT. Moreover VI IL be consistent with the gnity
and honor OF this nation TO abide by its treaiesteaes
soemnly and sacredy msde-then IL consistent with
the duty oil the United States and is their bounden duty
either TO tender 10 Mexico, 10 wait till Mexico shall
tender 10 them, proposal TO submit this dispute ar
duration consisting OF two persons, one OF whom shall
be named by each power TO the arbitration OF foreign
nation This disposes OF the resolutions OF the com
mittee.
Mr. President, am approaching the end OF this long
discussion, and shall dismiss Don Jose Garsy his
grant his assignment bis assgnees, and their grew
asces. come 10 a second ground, which has been
sumed not much in The report the speeches OF the
honorable senators who support these resolutions viz
That the United States have public interest in opening
the Tebuantepec communication oceanic conneY-
ion, which renders IL the duty OF The United States on
this adopt the resolutions submitted IN ma