The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-22


tutional party prevail. and their authori-
ty be established over the Republic, there
| is reason to hope that they will be ami
mated by 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 ex-
pectation, should OF once have recon-
mended to Congress to grant the neces-
sary power to the President, to take pos
session of sufficient portion of the re-
mote and unsettled territory of Mexico,
to be held in pledge until our injuries
be satisfied. We have already exhausted
every milder means of obtaining justice
In such case, this remedy of repri sails
is recognized by the law of nations, not
only as just to ITSELF but as means of
preventing actual war.
But there is another view Of our rela-
tions with Mexico, arising from the un-
happy condition of affairs along our
Southwestern frontier, which demands
immediate action. In that remote region
where there are but few white inhabitants,
large bands of hostile and predatory In
diaus roam proniscuously over the Mex
ican States of chihuahua and Sonora
and our adjoining Territories. The To-
cal governments of these States are
perfectly helpless, and are kept in state
of constant alarm by the Indians. They
have not the power, if they possessed the
will, even to restrain lawless Mexicans
from passing the border and committing
depredations on our remote settlers. A
state of anarchy and violence prevails
throughout that distant frontier. The
laws are dead letter, and life and prop
erty are wholly insecure. For this rea-
son the settlement of Arizona is arrested,
whilst it is Of great Importance that a
chain of inhabitants should extend all a.
long its southern border, sufficient for
their own protection and that of the
Uni6ed States mail passing to and from
California. -a5s-
Well founded apprehensions are now
entertained, that the Indians, ar, wan
dering Mexicans equally lawless may
break up the important stage and postal
communication recently established be-
tween our Atlantic. and Pacific possess
ions. This passes very near to the Mex.
ican boundary, throughout the whole
length of Arizona. can imagine nc
possible remeay-for these evils, and nc
mode of restoring law and order on tha,
remote and unsettled frontier, but for the
I government of the United States to as
sumo a temporary protectorate over the
northern portions of Chihuahua and So
nora, and to establish military post
within the same; and this is earnestly
recommended to Congress. The protcc
tion may be withdrawn, as soon as oca
governments shall be established in thes
Mexican States, capable of performing
their duties to the United States and re
training the lawless and preserving peac,
along the border.
do not doubt that this measure will
be viewed in friendly spirit by the gov
ernmeuts and people of chihuahua ant
Sonora, as it will prove equally effec:ua
for the protection of their citizens o!
that remote and lawless frontier, as fe
citizens of the United States.
j Aid in this connection permit me t,
!. recall your attention te. the condition O
J Arizona. The population of that Terr;
tory, numbering, as is alleged, more thar
, ten thousand souls, are practically with
out laws, and without any regular admin
istrat;on of justice. Murder and othe
crimes are committed with impuni '
!, This state Of things calls loudly for re
dress; ard ], therefore, repeat my recon
menla.ion for the establishment of Ter
ritorial government over Arizona
= The political condition of the narrow
isthmus of Central America through
which transit routes pass, between tn
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, presents i,
subject of deep interest to all commercial
nationssIt is over these transits that +,
:, large proportion of the trade and traye
between the European and Asiatic cont
nents is destined to pass. To the Unit
ed States these routes are of incalculabl
Importance, as a means of communicate,
between their Atlantic and Pacific pos
sessions. The latter now extend through
, out seventeen degrees of latitude on th
Pacific coast, embracing the importan
State of California and the fourihhiny
Territories of Oregon and Washington
, All commercial nations, therefore, have
deep and direct interest, that these com
munications shall be rendered secure fror
q interruption, If an arm of the sea, con
! Meeting the two oceans, penetrate,
! through Nicaragua and Costa Rica,
! could not be pretended that these State
!. would have the right to arrest or retar,
its navigation, to the injury of other ma
, tions. The transit by land over this nal
!, , row isthmus occupies nearly the same pc
: sition. 1t is highway in which the
, themselves have little interest, when com
pared with the vast interests OF the res
. . of the world. Whilst their rights of SOW
reignty ought to be respected, it is tn
duty of other nations to require that thi
important passage shall not be interrur