The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-04
IN CONGRESS- OF THE u. STATES
Thirty second Congress second Session.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2. 1883.
INK CONTINUATION
IsTHMus OF IlHuANIErIo.


Mr.. DOWNS said; Mr. President. shall not dis
eusc many Of the important questions connected with this
subject, which were so ably presented yesterday by the
honorable chairman oil The Committee Foreign Rela-
lions, Mr. MASON Ii is unnecessary to do So because
he has suggested everything which the occasion required
much better than could dos and | would not weaken
the very able which he has made. or dilute il
by repeating what he said Therefore, in the course
which shall take shall at once that the va
propositions conended or by the honorable sena-
tor must be considered established; that the Garay
grant was valid one, made by competent authority
that when 1t was about to expire. the time extended
BY the competent authorities that various other acts Of
hc government, Of Mexico. that the neg citations enter.
ed into, that the whole history OF the transaction which
shall not into, established this shall therefore take
for granted all the facts which have been clearly and
ably presented IN the report made by the Committee
Foreign Relations at the last session and in the lucid
speech OF the honorable chairman yesterday. shall
offer no argument to the Senate on those ponis shall
say very little on another matter connected with this
subect-as 10 the Importance and necessity of this
mu9icaton. and as 10 the question Of how far it may
conflict with the proposed Pacific railroad.
Mr. President in my opinion il is too late to discuss
the expediency the propey the necessity of the gov
eminent Of the United States taking prompt action h
subject The period for any such doubts has long since
passed This government. in the most solemn manner,
has taken its position this subject; and however
doubtful il might have been at first never had any
cannot see that there Is any for doubt now. But
II anybody more scrupuous than myself could have
raised doubt as TO whether it was the duty OF the gov
eminent 10 inerpose in matter OF this KIND and protect
its citizens, the lime for doubt has passed The govern
men in the most solemn and formal manner, has inter-
posed and has said that its duty to protect its citizens
in their rights in this matter; and it would be unbecom-
ing the dignity OF the nation it would weaken infu
ence abroad; it would be unworthy of the American peo
pe now after the government has taken this position
il should recede from it. The position of the govern
ment has been taken, not merely in casual correspond
OF the Secretary of Stale, but in the most formal
manner Not only that, but it has even gone beyond
the ordinary form of diplomatic intercourse. The
President of the United States has felt il 10 be so i'm.
portant and SO interesting subject that he has departed
from the usual course OF diplomatic intercourse, and ad
dressed private letter to the President of Mexico re-
monsratng against the course which that government
then likely TO pursue, and warning him OF the con-
sequences If should violate what the government OF
the United States considered 10 be the interests of its cit
lzens.
In letter from the Secretary of State 10 Senior Louis
de la Rosa the Mexican minister at Washington, dated
OF The whole question. the Secretary. referring the
probable rejection OF the treaty by Mexico, (Which let
Ter of the Mexican minister led him 10 anticpae) con-
cudes in the following emphatic terms
"The President OF the United States cannot persuade
himself that such calamity as its rejection by Mexico
now impends over the two countries"
Again, in letter TO MIR. La Vega the successor TO Sc.
nor La Rosa OF the 18th March, 1884, the Secretary OF
State says:
however. these hopes should prove to be unfounded
and the convention should go into effect, this
will feel itself PEELED to take into the
measures which its duty to its citizens may require
made BY Mexico Of the transit way acoss the sthmas The
government OF the United States in be
sa n' will sRa 6s in
And. finally. in view of the great Importance of the
oss.on and to hss avert possible Of The
question remains unsettled none be blind, the Presi-
dent Of the United States addressed himself directly TO
the President OF Mexico by letter of the 10Th OF March,
1852, from which the committee quote follows
ain addition the motives have urged for the speedy
adjustment Of this matter, beg leave earnestly cali
the attention of your exceency the probable difficulties
that may grow up between the two nations. should Mexico
break her pligh,ed faith in the gran, 10 Garay Our c
xns relying upon her good aith have become Interested
that grant, they have advanced large
ior the purpose OF carrying out its objects they have
csbiy OF constructing il; and it is not possible that they
should now be deprived OF the privileges guaranteed by
without appealing to their own government for the en-
orcement OF their rights My anxious desire is to avoid the
too probable consequences resu, from such a
peal. We cannot If we would, be indifferent it 1t
duty which every government owes to It's own citizens to
quences growing OF the of the propreor
Of the Gaay grant and the COVE OF Mexico such
sno true friend of this country OF Mexico look upon
with Indifference"
This Mr. President is the position that has been taken
IN the most solemn manner by the government Of the
United States; and if there ever time to waver or
TO doubt, that time has passed. Ii is now too late. We
have not only the right to nepose, but government
has pledged itself TO nterpose in this NATTER and we have
no option left II may be urged that Mexico is now
weak that she is in stale of anarchy; that it is lard
TO proceed against her under such circumstances and
that ought TO be more mild and moderate TO her
There is much in that suggestion under the peculiar cir
cumstances OF Mexico. Perhaps have much sympa-
thy for the troubles of that republic any
have have recently seen the message OF the late Pres
dent OF Mexico to the Congress OF that republic and
consider il paper OF the most melancholy character and
calculated TO excite the sympathy Of the lovers OF
freedom and of mankind everywhere have never seen
adocument OF that kind which deeply and perma-
nsny affected my feelings 1t is Of the most affect
ing documents that have heard OF in the annals OF
any country. He his country sinking into anarchy
and misfortune he its utterly hopeless condition
He was evidently stimulated by patriotic motives and
anxious to do what he could 10 bis falling counry
but his efforts have turned out TO be utterly fruess In
reading that document could but contrast the pros
trate and miserable condition Of Mexico with that OF the
United States could not but express the saneuine anti
cpaon that long might Il be before the President OF the
United States should have occasion TO send TO the Con-
gress of the United States such message that,
mourning the anarchy and utter downfall OF this country
My feelings, then, towards Mexico, on account OF her
condition. have much weight with on this question
would therefore, under ordinary circumstances far
depends on me, forbear | would say nothing; |
would do nothing to embaass her in her present cond-
ton and would, il could. wait until more prosperous
circumstances should attend her; but consider that
have option in this matter. The dispute did
mence lately Ifso perhaps should be willing to post
pone II until the next administration should come into
power; but it commenced before the present dsas-
ers OF Mexico arose and ii absolutely necessary,
NY opanon that the government OF the United States
anoud take the position which it did take at the time
ana inat position be abandoned without IN
Jury 10 our Character and TO our country. We know