Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-12-16

our grievances" From this statement
of facts, it would nave been worse Than
idle to direct Mr.. Forsyth to ~retracc
his steps and resume diplomatic rcla-
tons with that government; and 1T was;
therefore, deemed proper to sanction his
withdrawal of the legation from h city
of Mexico.
Abundant clusc now undoubtedly TX
lists for a resort to hostilities against the
government still holding possession of
the capital. Should they succeed in
subduing the constitutional forces. all
reasonable hope will then have expired
of peaceful settlement of our difficult
tics.
On the other hand, should the con
s~titutiohal party prevail, and their au-
thority be established over the republic,
there is reason to hope that they will be
animated by a less unfriendly spirit, and
may grant that redress to American cit
izens, which justice requires, so far as
they may possess the means.
But for this expectation, l should at
nee have recommended to Congress to
grant the necessary power to the Presi-
dent to take possession of a sufficient
portion of the remote and unsettled ter
ritory of Mexico, to be held in pledge
until our injuries shall be redresscd and
our just demands be satisfied. We
have already exhausted every milder
means OF Obtaining Justice. In such q
case this remedy of reprisal is recogniz-
ed by the law of nations, not only as
Just in itself, but as a means o fprevent-
ing actual war.
| can imagine nc possible rcmdedy
for these evils. and no mode of restor-
ing law and order on that remote and
unsettled frontier but for the govern
ment of the United States to assume a
temporary p~rotectoratc over the north
ern portions of Chihuahua and Sonora,
and to establish military posts within
the samc-and this I earnestly recon-
mend to Congress. This protectorate
may be withdrawn as soon as local gov
ernmeDts shall be established in these
Mexican States, capable of performing
their duties to the United States, re-
straining the lawless and preserving
the peace along the border.
But there is aonther view of our re-
l%ations with Mexico, arising from the
unhappy condition of affairs along our
south western frontier, which demand
immediate action. In that remote re-
giun, where there arc but few white in
habitapts, large bands of hostilos and
predatory Indians roam p~romiscuously
over the Mexican States of chihuahua
and Sonora, and our adjoining Terrific
ries. The local governments of these
States are perfectly helpless, and are
kept in a state of constant alarm by the
Indians. They have not the power, if
t!ey pos, e seed the will, even to restrain
lawlcss Mexicans from passing the bor-
ders and committing dcprcdations on
our remote settlers.
y state of anarchy and violence pre-
walls throughout hat distant frontier.
The laws are a dead letter, and life and
property are wholly insecure. For this
reason the settlement of Arizona is ar
rested, while it is of great ;Mportance
that u chain of inhabitants should ex.
tend all along its soutf .ern border, sufi-
clcnt for their W protection and that
OF the United States mail passing to and
from California. Well founded aprre
henslon4 are now entertained hat the
lnr-ans are wandering Mcxicans, equal
~ lawless may break up the important
stage and postal communication recent
ly established between our Atlantic and
Pacific possessions. This passes very
near to the Mexican boundary through
out the whole length of Arizona.
| do not doubt that this me asure will
be viewed in a friendly spirit by TIL
governments and people of Chihuahu
and Sonora, as it will prove equally eff
| fnafuaI for tho nrafa.an &C khnsr Iii
zens on that remote and lawless frontier,
as for citizens of the United States.
And, in this connection, permit me
to recall your attention to the condition
of. Arizona. The population of that
Territory, numbering, as is alleged, more
than ten thousand souls, are practically
without a government, without laws, and
without any regular administration of
justice, Murder and other crimes are
committed with impunitv. This state
of things calls loudly for redress, and l
therefore repeat my Recommendation
for the establishment of q territorial
government over Arizona.
The political condition of the mar
row isthmus of Central America thought
which transit routes pass, between the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, presents a
subject of deep interest to all CONNER
cial nations. 1t is over these t~ransits
that a large proportion of the trade and
travel between the European and Asia
tic con inents Is destined to pass. To
the United States these routes are of
incaltul ,ble Importance, as a means of
communication between their Atlantic
and Pacific posses sion. The latter now
extend throughout seventeen degrees
Of latitude on the Pacific coast, embra-
cling the important State of California
and the fourishing Territories of Ore
gon and Washington.
All commercial nations, therefore,
have a deep and direct interest that these
communications shall be rendered Sc
cure from Interruptions.
IF an arm of tho sea, connection the
two oceans, penetrated through Nicar-
aqua and Costa Rica, it could not be
pretended that these States would have
the right to arrest or retard its naviga-
ton, to the injury of other nations =
The transit by land over this narrow
I.isthmus ~oceupies nearly the same posi-