Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-08
A Mexican Protecterate-The Monroe
Doctrine.

they extend to the extremities and pervade
the entire body. Its home physicians have
failed to perform a cure, and now amiable po-
litical doctors from abroad propose remedy
more powerful and active, whether it shall
relieve or not. There can be no question but
that Mexico has been degenerating from the
very day she was acknowledged Independent
Of Spain, and admitted to a seat among the
nations of the earth. What little capacity
for self-government she then had has evapo-
rated until it would appear that she is una
BILE to stand alone. To those acquainted with
the minutie of the Mexican character, there
seems but little prospect that her condition
can or will be materially changed for the bet
ter, if left to herself Outside interference OF
some sort, is probably inevitable; if not now,
any day hereafter. The Interference lies with
two or three of the great nations of Europe
and the United States And the question
arises. what line of policy the United States
shall pursue, and when enter upon it? The
answer must necessarily have a most impor-
tant effect upon our foreign relations, and
upon the continued peace of the world No
been presented to US as nation. The nations
of Europe, and especially Great Britain have
long exhibited their desire to have finger in
the government pies of this continent. Mex
leo may be transformed in few years into a
great colonial establishment of England. or
1t may be the subject of merciful partition
among the members of second Holy ALI
ance. In order to forestall any such contin-
gency, Gen. HoUsTos, who is well acquainted
both with the Mexicans, and the disposition
OF certain European powers in respect to these
matters, few weeks ago, offered to the Uni
ted States Senate. resolution proposing the
establishment of q protcctorate over Mexico.
After discussing the proposition, he asked its
reference to a select committee which was re-
fused and the resolution laid on the table
Although ii was scarcely treated with the us
ual respect, it may be landmark in our flu
ture course. And we accordingly present the
following paragraphs from Mr.. HoUsroNs
speech as embodying the fundamental reason
on which the resolution rests:
''The Senator from New York told us the
other day in substance that the North was
mighty, and that it would speedily become
still mightier. In the maj rsty of its power it
may, at no distant day, bring those colonies
into the Union, anda particularly if they should
become dissatisfied with the rule of the moth
er country. Nor can it be pleaded that they
are notprepared for admission. Every day
thatHpasses-such is the frequency of their
communication with the citizens of Michigan,
New York and New England-they receive
practical lessons in the science of selfgovern-
ment, adopting of course the tenets of anti
slavery. Their number does rot greatly ex-
coed third of that of Mexico. and they prob
ably contribute ten times as much to the
prosperity Of the North as Mexico does to the
prosperity of the South. | do not mention
this in the language of sectional complaint.
but in justification of the measure | propose.
''The notion, sir, that Mexico will ever help
herself out of the extremities to which she has
been so deplorably reduced is to absurd too be
entertained by rational mind. The more
she struggles, ostensibly for the lettering of
her condition the more anarchical she becomes.
To bring such population as hers into the
Union wculd be to assume the gravest respon-
sibilities. To suffer her to be parcelled out by
fillibnsters-each chief perhaps a dcspet-
would be to fraterniZe with every desperate
adventurer in our own land ard TO invite to
our continent all the wild. vicious spirits of
the other hemisphere. Nor could we consent
without palpable dishOnor. to see her placed
in the leading strings of any European power,
even were there a disposition manifested 10
so place her. We have, then, no alternative,
if we put the slightest value upon our inter-
ests. and ale not disposed to disregard our du-
ty, but to arrange plans immediately for rul-
ing her wisely, and, as far as possible gently.
In the contamination of great measures
we are apt to be-perhaps n little too apt
a closely cost-calculating people. Ia the mat
H..
one of the first questions which is likely to
suggest itself to our countrymen is that rclat-
ing to the expenditure it will involve. Hap
PLY, this can be readily and satisfactorily an
swered.
The protectorate must be selfprotect ting
the expense incident to il betrayed by the pro-
tected. The General Government of Mexico
could probably be administered. taking IA
term of ten years, for S6,00000 while her
custom receipts. under a wel-regulatcd and
honestly-administercd revenue tariff, would
double that amount
Our Gulf and Pacific squadrons would be
ample for the protection of her commerce in
those quarters, and without subjecting us to
additional OUTLAWS. Five thousand reliable
regular troops. properly garTisoned and dis
fributed, would insure the establishment and
and preservation of internal order; and the
adoption of good police system would even
tuate in bringing 10 justice and efirctually
subduing the rapacious and Blood thirsty ban
dts who infest her highways. Hence it is
clear that we have tin our power to improve
the condition of Mexico immeasurably; to
breathe the breath of new life into her nos
triis; and without mourning the risk of dol
lar. What "a salutary change would this be,
not for both countries, but for the world at
large!
Faithless to her engagements, Mexico has
r.. l.. 49, tsts tb..,,
national outlaw. She is powerful for the
commission of wrongs, but powerless for their
redress. Our Department of State is the re-
pository Tor the grievances of our citizens by
her high-handed deeds; but nothing more
than a repository, since the securing OF in
IDENTITIES for outrages has become n somewhat
obsolete idea. Those grievances are doubt
less magnihed in pecuuiary point of view,
as grievances ever are where Government
Is responsible; but still there should be an au-
thority in Mexico with which they may be ad-
justed and provided for, Us ascertained TO be
valid. The claimants might select one COM
missioner for their examination, Mexico an
other; and, in case of disagreement, the two
an umpire. So with the Inhabitants of other
countries. who have experienced wrongs at
her hands which have not been redresscd-
With respect 10 her funded debt, IL amounts
to about ity five million dollars, and is chiefly
owned in England and on the Continent. IL
was consolidated in 1916, by convention
between the Government OF Mexico and
committee of the bondholders, by which IL
was 10 bear five per cent coupon interest
The war in which Mexico became involved
with the United States 50 eHfeehled her that
she was unable to provide the interest, or II
single dividend of it, until some time along
In 1850, when she sent commissioner 10
London TO represent the state of her finances
and to make a new proposal TO her creditors.
This proposal was TO the end that she would
pay out of the California indemnity money
the interest In arrears, and pledge one-iourth
Of the custom-house receipts imports rs
well as exports for the payment of the future
interest Of the debt. provided the bondholdcrs
would agree to diminish the rate OF interest
from five to three per cent. To this, after
some hesitation, they CONSENTED. Slice then,