Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-12-03
Mexico md Europe.


For wears past Mexico can hardly be said to have
had any regular or legally constituted government
none certainly elected in accordance with the provs-
ions of any recognized and established constitution. So
rapidly indeed have "pans and "pronunciamentos !"
succeeded each other that it would be very difficult at
any time to say what constitution may or may not have
temporary authority. Constitutions change with the
advent to power of each fresh military adVenturer-
That under such state of things there should be any
security for life or property is not to be expected
There is not any security Of the private inter
css of the people and the public concerns of the nation
must suffer alike while the relations of the Republic
with foreign powers can hardly fail to be involved
With no permanent power able to enforce the laws at
home or guarantee the faithful observance of treaties
abroad it to pass that nearly every civilized pow
er has claims to urge against Mexico arising out OF
spoations committed on its subjects citizens or out
of the failure Of Mexico to meet the payment OF sums
stipulated by treaty, to be paid by her on account OF
such spoations-sp which her temporary gov
ernments have not the power if they had the wish
to prevent while little have they the money to pay
the sums demanded Of them
Spain has claims against Mexico for indemnity for
certain spoiaons, and PREPARATIONS for certain alleged
insults She has been urging and worrying about this
matter for Threatening and coaxng, clustering
and being pacfed but still without really approaching
any nearer to her object The story of Spanish
petition against Mexico has grown to be old song,
occasionally revived with proper variations The latest
advices by the Africa indicate revival" of the
excitement in that direction and now an additional in
terest is communicated to it by the assertion that
France and England arc prepared join with Spain in
coercing Mexico
How is this to affect US? What arc we called upon
to do or to say in the premises? Does the experience
of our own intercourse with Mexico justify in assert
ing that she is above doing wrong to anybody? Are
we prepared say that Spain may not have just claims
upon Mexico for compensation to her subjects who may
have been despoied by some of the temporary and I'M
principled governments with which Mexico has been
cursed This would certainly be farther than any OF
us are prepared to 60 Suppose that Spain, having
failed to obtain redress by peaceabe means, should be
forced to resort to coercion who will say that she may
not be justified in doing so? Suppose England or
France or both of them should happen to be IN the
same condition. we cannot see, the face of it, how
any right of interference on our part could arise.
We do not desire to see the growth of Euro 7ean
power and influence upon this continent since such III
uence must from the nature of things be unriendy to
the expansion Of our SYSTEM while it would embarrasS
American relations by mixing up the affairs of the new
continent with the complicated relations and traditional
jealousies Of the old system of Europe.
Still because we are jealous Of European interference
in the affairs of this continent. shall therefore say
that no European power shall be allowed to enforce the
settlement of her just claims by Mexico? We hardly
think so.
After the fall of Napoleon, the " Holy Alliance y
proposed to carry out their reacionay measures with
high hand After having replaced the Bourbons on the
throne of France they proposed to reconquer the revolt
ed colonies of Spain, Mexico in particular, and place
them again under the rule of that etete monarchy
This than anything else, drew out from an Amer
President that expression of opinion known as the
Monroe doctrine, doctrine concurred in by Mr.. Can
ming, On behalf of Great Britain.
Now, question if the present state OF things Justl
fes in suspecng any intention on the part OF rance
and England to assist Spain to reconquer Mexico, tol
the purpose of making it either European colony, OF
secondhand monarchy Therefore we do not see the
necessity for the outcry made by the New York Herald
and other papers of the sensation class The fact is that
Mexico is very badly behaved she will be getting her
self into scrapes and rendering herself liable to catch
whipping every and then. If we don't want this tC
occur-if don't want to be agitaed by the notion
Spanish invasion, or French and English interference
will have ourselves to take Southern sister
handgiYe her good government-teach her to respect
treaties, and in word, cause her to be worthy mem
Der of the family of nations. Ihen will have earned
for ourselves right to take up for her in her quarres