The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-12-16

Mexico, because she is destitute of all
pecuniary. means to satisfy these de-
mands. 81
Our late minister was furnished with,
ample powers and instructions for the
adjustment of all pending. questions
with the central government of Mexl-
co. and he performed his 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 Hidalgo,
and others from gross injuries to per
sons as well as property, have remained
unredressed and even unnoticed. Re
monstrances against these grievances
have been addressed without effect to
that government. Meantime, in, va
rious parts of the republic, instances
have been numerous of. the murder,
Imprisonment and plunder of our citi-
Gems, by different parties claiming and
exercising local jurisdiction but the
central government: although repeated
| ly urged thereto, have made no effort
either to punish the authors of these
outrages, or to prevent their recurrence.
No American citizen can now visit
Mexico OH lawful business without i'm
minent danger to his person and pro-
perry. There is no adequate protec-
ton to either; and in this respect our
treaty with that republic is almost a
dead-letter. - = -
This state of affairs was brought to
a crisis in May last, by the promulga-
ton of decree levying contribution
pro rata upon all the capital in the re-
public, between certain specified
amounts, whether held by Mexicans or
foreigners. Mr.. Forsyth, regarding
this decree in the light of g forced
loan," formally protested against its
application to his countrymen, and
advised them not to pay the contribu-
ton, but to suffer it to be forcibly ex-
acted. Acting upon this advice, an
American citizen refused to pay the
contribution, and his property was
seized by armed men to satisfy the
amount. Not content with this. the
government proceeded still further. and
, issued decree banishing him from the
country. Our minister immediately
notified them that if this decree be
t carried into execution he would feel il
to be his duty to adopt " the most de.
cided measures that belong to the
f powers and obligations of the represen.
tative Office" Notwithstanding this
, warning, the Punishment was enforced
! and Mr.. Forsyth promptly announced
to the government the suspension OF
: the political relations of his legation
with them, until the pleasure of his
own government should be ascertained
The government did not regard the
contribution imposed by the decree Of
the 18th of May last to be in strictness
j a /" forced loan,"' and as such prohibited
E by the 10th article of the treaty Of
: 1925, between Great Britain and Mexi
co, to the benefits of which American
5 citizens are entitled by treaty; vet the
imposition of the contribution upor
: foreigners was considered an unjust
and oppressive measure. Besides, in.
ternal factions in other parts of the
republic were at the same time leyyino
similar exactions upon the property OF
our citizens and interrupting their com.
merce. There had been an entire fail
ure on the part of our Minister to
secure redress for the wrong which ON
citizens had endured, Notwithstanding
his persevering efforts. And from the
temper manifested by the Mexican
Government, he had repeatedly assured
us that no favorable change could be
expected until the United States should
: give striking evidence of their will an6
, power to protect their citizens, an6
! that severe Christening is the onl,
o earthly remedy for our grievances
From this statement of facts it would
have been worse than idle to, direct Mr.
Forsyth to retrace his steps, and resume
: diplomatic relations with that govern
ment; and it was, therefore, deemed
: proper to sanction his withdrawal o
the legation from the city of Mexico.
Abundant cause now undoubtedl,
; exists for resort to hostilities agains
: the government still holding possession
of the capital. Should they succeed
in subduing the constitutional forces
! all reasonable hope will then have ex
|, PRED, of a peaceful settlement of ou
I difficulties. s...-.-...s
On the other hand. should the consti
! tutional party prevail, and their autho
rity be established over the republic
there is reason to hope that they vii
be animated By less unfriendly spirit
!. and may grant that redress to Ameri
: can citizens which justice requires, 81
7 far as they may possess the means
!. But for this expectation, / should a
once have recommended to Congress
! to grant the necessary power to tn,
:. President, to takepossession of a suffic
: lent portion of the remote and unsettled
+ territoryof Mexico, to be held in pIedg,
t until our injuries shall be redressed
: and our just demands satisfied. w.
| have already exhausted every mildel
/, means of obtaining justice. In such :
e case, this remedy of reprisals is recog
t nized by the law of nations, not only
e as just to itself, but as means of pre-
Z venting actual war;
: But there. is another view of our re
+ lations with Mexico, arising from tn,
: unhappy condition of affairs along on
e Southwestern frontier, which demand
y immediate action. In that remote re
7 gion, where there are but few whit,