Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-12-18


Diary from ocean TO ocean; aud we must
necessarily feel a oeep interest in all thai
concerns the we'll being aud fate of SC
near neighbor. We have always cher
ished the kindest wishes for the success ot
that republic, and have INDUCED the hope
that it might at last, after all its trials,
enjoy peace and prosperity Under free
and stable government. We have never
hitherto interfered directly or indirectly
with its internal affairs, and it is a duty
wnich we owe TO ourselves, to protect the
Integrity Of its territory, against the hos
title interference Of any other power. Our
geographical position, our direct interest
in all that concerns Mexico, and our well
settled policy in regard to the North A
merican continent, render this an lnlds-
pensable duty.
Mexico has been in state of constant
revolution, almost ever since. it achieved
its independence. One military leader af
ter another has usurped the government
| in rapid succession, and the various con-
Istitutions from time to time adopted have
been set at naught almost as soon as pro-
claimed. The successive governments
have affordad no adequate protection Ell
Their TO Mexican citizens or foreign resi-
dents, against IawIess violence. Hereto
fore seizure of the capital by military
chieftain has been followed by at least
the nominal submission to his rule for a
brief period, but not so at the present crl-
sis of Mexican affairs. A civil war has
been raging for some tine throughout the
republic, between the central government
lat the city of Mexico, which has endeav-
iored to subvert the constitution last franz
ed by military power, and those who main
ain the authority of that constitution
The antagonist parties each hold posses
sion of different States of the republic, and
he fortunes Of war are constantly chang
ling. Meanwhile The most reprchensibl-
If cans have been enjoyes by both parties
to extort money from, foreigners, as well as
natives, to carry on this ruinous contest
The truth is, this fine country, blessed with
Iit>,produc;ive soil and benign climate, has
cen reduced by civil dissensiop to con
dltion of almost hopeless anarchy and inn
becility. 1t would be vain for this gov
ernment to enforce payment in money OF
The claims of Americas citiz ms, now a
mounting to more than ten million dol
lars, against Mexico because she is des
tute of all pecuniary means to satisfy these
demands.
Our late minister was furnished with
ample powers and instructions for the adj
justin ent Of all pending questions with
the central government Of Mexico, and he
performed bis duty with zeal and ability.
The claims of our citizens, some OF them
arising out Of the violation Of an express
provision Of the treaty Of Guadalupe Hi
dalgo, and others from gross injuries to
persons as we'll as property, having re-
manned unredres, ed and even unoticed.-
Rcmonstrance against these grievances
have been addressed without effect to that
government. Meantime, in various parts
Of the republic, instances have been nu
merous Of the murder, imprisonment and
plumber Of our citizens by different parties
and exercising local jurisdiction;
but the central government, although re-
peatedly urged thereto, have made no eft
fort either TO punish the authors of these
ou'reg"e, "r TO rroVant thoir rnnurrenca =
No American citizen can now visit Mexi
go on lawful business without imminent
danger to his person and property
There is no adequate protection to either;
and in this respect our treaty with that re-
public is almost dead letter.
This state of affairs was brought to a
crisis in May last by the PRONUNCIATION Of
n decree Ievyieg a contribution pro rata
upon all the capital in the republic, le
tween certain specified amounts, whether
held by Mexicans or foreigners. Mr.. For
,syth, regarding the decree in the light Of
a forced Loan formally protested against
Its application to his conntrymeu, and AL
vised them not to pay the contribution, but
to suffer it to be forebly exactel. Act
ting upon this advice, an American citi-
zen refused to pay contribution, and his
property was seized by armed men to sat
isfy the amount. Not cohtent with this,
The government proceeded still farther,
AMI issued decree banishing him from
the country. Our Minister Immediately
notified them, that if this decree should
be carried into execution, he would feel it
to be his duty to adopt ''the most decided
measures that belong to the powers an |
obligations Of the representative Office. >
Notwithstanding this warning. the ban
ishment was enforced and Mr. Forsyth
promptly announced to the government
the suspension Of political relations of his
legation with them, until the pleasure of
his own government should be ascertain
ed.
This government did not regard the con
tribution imposed by the decree of the 18th
of May last, to be in strictness ''a forced
loan" and as such prohibited by the tenth
article of the treaty of 1926 between Great
Britain and Mexico, 10 the benefits of
which American citizens are entitled BY
treaty; yet the imposition of the con
tribution upon foreigners was considered
an unjust and oppressive measure. Be-
sides, internal factions in other parts
of The republic vera az iha san,a tip,a Ia