White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-12-30

puoiIc, OetWeen the central g0Vernmen
at the city of Mexico, which has endeav
ored to Subvert the constitution last fran
ed, by military power, and those wf
maintain the authority of that constitu
ton. The antagonist parties each hol
possession of different States Of the re
public, and the fortunes Of the war ar
constantly changing. Meanwhile, tn
most reprehehsible means have been EN-
ployed by both parties to extort money
from foreigners, as well as natives, t,
carry on this ruinous contest. The trutl
is that this fine country, blessed with
productive soil and benign climate, ha
been reduced by civil dissension, to I
condition of almost hopeless anarchy anc
imbecility. 1t would be vain for thi
government to attempt to enforce paymen
in money Of the claims of American cit
liens, now amounting to more than ter
millions of dollars, against Mexico, be
cause she is destitute of all pecuniary
means to satisfy these demands.
Our late minister was furnished Will
ample powers and instructions for the ad
justment of all pending questions with
the central government of Mexico, and
he performed his duty with zeal and abil-
ity. The claims of our citizens, some o.
them arising ont of the violation of an
express provision Of the treaty of Quad
aloupe Hidalgc, and others from gross in,
juries to persons as well as property. have
remained unredressed and even unnoticed
Rcmonstrances against these grievances
have been addressed, without effect, to
that government. Meantime, in various
parts of the republic, instances have been
numerous of the murder, Imprisonment,
and plumber Of our citizens, by different
parties claiming and exercising a local
jurisdiction ; but the central government,
although repeatedly urged thereto, have
made noetfort either to punish the authors
of these outrages or to prevent their re-
currence. No American citizen can now
visit Mexico on lawful business, without
imminent danger to his person and prop
erty. There is no adequate protection to
either; and in this respect our treaty with
that republic is almost dead letter.
This state Of affairs was brought to a
crisis in May last. by the PRONUNCIATION
of decree levying contribution pro
rata upon all the capital in the republic,
between certain specified amounts, wheth-
err held by Mexicans or foreigners. Mr..
Forsyth, regarding this decree in the light
of forced loan," formally protested
against its application to his countrymen,
and advised them not to pay the contri-
button, but to suffer it to be forcibly ex-
acted. Acting upon this advice, an Amer
lean citizen refused to pay the contribu-
ton, and his property was seized by arm
ell men to satisfy the amount. Not con-
tent with this, the government proceeded
still further, and issued decree Danish
ing him from the country. Our minister
Immediately notified them that if this de-
cree should be carried into execution he
would feel it to be his duty to adopt 1.-THE
most decided measures that belong to the
powers and obligations Of the representa-
tive office" Notwithstanding this warn
ing, the Punishment was enforced. and
Mr.. Forsyth promptly announcedto the
government the suspension of the pcliti
cal relations of his legation with them,
until the pleasure of his own government
should be ascertainei.
This government did not regard the
contribution interposed by the decree of
the 18th May last, to be in strictness a
''forced loan," and as such prohibited
by the 10th article of the treaty of 1926
between Great Britain and Mexico, to
the benefits of which American citizens
are entitled by treaty yet the imposition
of the contribution upon foreigners was
considered an unjust and oppressive meas
ure. Besides. internal factions in other
parts of the Republic were at the same
time levying similar exactions upon the
property of our citizens, and interrupt
ing their commerce. There had been an
entire failure on the part of our Minister
to secure redress for the wrongs which
our citizens had endured, Notwithstanding
his persevering efforts. And from the
temper manifested by the Mexican gov
eminent he had repeatedly assured US that
no favorable change could be expected,
until the United States should "give stri
king evidence of their viii and power to
protect their citizens" and that "severe
Christening is the only 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 government and it was. there
fore, deemed proper to sanction his with
drawal of the Legation from the city Of
Mexico.
Abundant cause now undoubtedly ex
lists. for resort to hostilities against the
still holding possession of the
capital. Should they succeed in subdu-
ing the constitutional forces, all reasona-
bic hope will then have expired of apeace-
full settlement of our difficulties,
On the other hand. should the consti-
tutional party prevail. and their authority
be established over the republic. there is
reason to hope that they will be anima-
ted by less unfriendly spirit, and may
grant that redress to American citizens
which justice requires. so far as they may
possess the means. But for this expecta-
ton. should at once recommended to
Congress to grant the necessary power to
the President, to take possession Of a
sufficient portion of the remote and inset
tied Territory of Mexico, to be held in
pledge until our injuries shall be redress
ed and our Just demands be satisfied.