The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-11-22


what shall be Done with Mexico,
In view OF the many revolutions and tn,
continued connections in Mexico, the philan.
thrcpic fliibustering and slavery propagan.
dist politicians and journals Of the South ani
West are propounding and answering thu
above question. Not many years ego, il
consequence Of similar incompetcncy on
the part OF the Turkish Government to take
care of itself, that grave question was pro-
pounded BY the three great powers OF Europe
in reference to Turkey. Those Governments
sought solution Of the question and under.
took to establish a protectorste over the
country, and tho bloody and expensive war
OF the Crimea was the result. Hundreds OF
thousands OF lives were sacrificed, hundreds
OF millions of national debt was accumula ted
against these Governments, and they finally
concluded to commence minding their own
business. Peace was CONCLUDED on the prin-
ciple OF "hands off, and let Turkey take care
Of herself
But this recent historical example instead
OF dissuading the dissnterested philanthro.
pists of the Locofoco party, only seems to
stimulate them with greater zeal to establish
aprotec,orate over Mexico. The Burlington
Gazette, one OF the organs OF this faction
10 our own State, assures us that "humanity
and policy" demand that we should establish
aprotectorate over Mexico, Rebelions, rev.
olutions, anarchy and rapine, argues the Ga
ssfte, are rapidly sinking Mexico into barba-
rism, and it the Government Of the United
States don't step forward and regulate mat
tore and reduce the people to order, some
other Government will.
Wei, ~ it is likely to be rather an expen-
sive and troublesome exhibition Of govern.
mental philanthropy, we cannot sec tina, we
should be in any particular hurry to antic-
pate the benevolent action OF some other Gov
eminent in the premises. Especially a. the
times are hard and this Government 10 al
ready running in debt TO meet current ex-
psnses at the rate Of fifty millions per annum
Surely, We can afford to forego the pleasure
OF exercising our philanthropy under such
circumstances If relief is 80 certain to be pro.
vided by other parties.
But just here the line Of the Gasetts's ar
gnment turns square off at right angles, hnv-
ing thus far based the demand for the inter-
ference OF our Government on the ground
of humanity and benevolence, Just here it
commences arguing on the ground of selfish
ness, and resorts to the plea of the conscien-
tious Brigand, that II be don't rob bis victim
and cut his throat some body else will do il,
and pocket the profits of the foul deed
at is" says the Gazette, ssmanifestly the
interest of this Government to avail itself OF
the opportunity now offered to it to possess
itself Of Mexico" We would not expec, to
dissuads the advocates Of such measure by
any appeal to the principles Of right or JUS
ticc. fhey ars RS deaf to such appemfs AZ
were the crowned brigands and tyrants who
partitioned Poland, when internal dissensions
had weakened her power, sd as to offer them
the opportunity" to accomplish tina. scheme
OF gigantic outrage.
But We argue against the proposition on
The ground Of interest, simply. The popula-
ton OF the country OF which we are urged to
take possession amounts to some ten or twelve
millions, more or less, Of semi viliaed In
diane, half and Spanish Mexicans-
IN ignorant people, nnaccustomed to rcyer-
encs for.law or obedience to authority, and
trained TO arms and plumber, mid unceasinc
revols and revolutions for cenerations.-
To keep such people in order would re-
quirs standing army, distributed in gar
risons and Notifications throughout the
country, while they remained under the pro-
posed pfotectorate, or in any other condition
outside the Union. Such standing army
would have to be supported out Of the trea-
sury OF the United States, and would inn
poverish our people and eventually lead to
the suhversion Of our Liberties by the very
standing army which we had supported to
destroy the Independence Of Mexico. And
il would not better the matter at all to admit
sach barbarous horde OF amalgamated
races into the Union to constitute ten or q
dozen independen, States Of this confedera.
cy. But the Gazette argues that such a
consummaton would open "the best market
in the world for our every surplus in con
sequence OF our connection with II by AN
uninterrupted line Of navigation. Now this
IL very great mistake, and one OF which
the public mind should be disab used. Those
same regions Of Mexico even now, With all the
ignorance, laIincss, bad government, rapine
end revolution that prevail, produce millions
upon millions Of dollars worth Of the only
surplus articles We Of the northwest have to
dispose OF, live stock and grain. The peo-
PIE q the Northwest would net just as wise
u and make as much money literally By
shipping "coais across the ocean 10 New
Castle" ~ they ever win by sending their
surplus to Mexico 10 market. On the con-
trary, with stable government and enter.
prising population, ~ States OF the Uaion,
thsir surplus grain and live stock would drive
a. ont OF the New Orleans market aud con.
teGt With ~ the markets Of the East.
Torspeat in substance what we said or