The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-12-14
the North American continent, render this an in.

almost ever since il achieved its independenco =
one military leader alter another has usurped tn
government IN rapid succession, and the variou
constitutions from time to time adopted have bee,
SET at naught almost as soon as they were pro
ciaiheu lIhe successive governments have afford
ed no adequate protection, either TO Mexican cjti
lens OF Ioreign residents, against lawless vo-
ience. Heretofore, seizure of the capital bv
military cheftain has been generally foIlowe b,
at least the nominal submission of the country 4
his rule for brief PERIOD but not so at the nres
ent crisis OF Mexican affairs A civil war ha,
been raging for some time throughout the Repub
lie, between the central government at the citv o
Mexico. which has endeayored to subvert the DON
stitution last framed by military power, and those
who maintain the authority Of that Constitution
The antagonist parties each hold possession OF diff
ferent States Of the Republic and the fortunes OF
| the war are constantly changing. Meanwhile tbe
most reprehensible means have been employed by
% Doih parties TO sxtort money from foreigners, as
well as natives, TO carry on this ruinous contest
The truth Is, that this fine country, blessed with
aproduct'vs soil and benign climate, has been
reduced by civil dissension to condition of almost
hopeless anarchy and imbscility. 1t would be
nan a, ,or 'n,s uovernment to attempt ito enforce
citizens, now amounting to more than ten mil
lion dollars, against Mexico because she ia desti
tute OF all pecuniary means to satisfy these de-
mands. ' wv
Our late Minister was furnished with ,m,,.
powers and instructions for the adjustment of ali
pending questions with the Central Goyernment
OF Mexico, and he performed his duty with zeal
ana ability. The claims Of our citizens, some of
theIn arising out OF the violation of an express
provision OF the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo' and
others from gross injuries TO persons as we'll ns
property have remained unredressed, and even nm
noticed Remonstrances against these grievances
nave been addressed without effect to that Gov
ernment. Meantime, in various parts of the Re-
puphc, instances have been numerous of the muir
der, Imprisonment and plunder of our citizen.
oydilerent parties claiming and exercising local
Jurlsdic,ion; but the Central Government, although
repeatedly urged thereto have made no effort e.
ther to punish the authors Of these outrapes To
prevent their recurrence No American citizen
can now visit Mexico on lawful business without
1mltninent Th danger to his person and property
There is no adequate protection to either and in
Ihis respect our treaty with that Republic is al
most a dead letter.
This state of affairs was brought to A crisis in
May last by the promulgaton of decree levyinp
contrbution pro rata upon all the capital in the
republic, between certain specified amounts, ,whe
ther held by Mexicans or foreigners. Mr.. For
syth, regarding this decree in the light of "for-
ced loan, formally protested against it's applics-
ton to his countrymen, and advised them not to
psy the contribution, but to suffer it to be forci
Oily exacted. Acting upon this advice, an Amer
lean citizen refused to pay the contribution and
his property was seized by armed men to satisfy |
the amount. Not content with this the govern. |
nent proceeded still further, and issued decree |
him from the country. Our Minister
Immediately notified them that if this decree
should be carried into execution he would feel il |
20 be his duty to adopt "the most decided meas. |
ires that belong to the powers and obligations
If the representative Office" Notwithstanding
his warning, the banishment was enforced and
hr. Forsyth promptly announced to the govern.
nent the suspension OF the political relations of
lis legation with them, until the pleasure of hi,
'wn government should be ascertaned.
This government did not regard the eontribu.
ion imposed by the decree of May 18th last to be
strictness forced loan" and as such prohib-
ted by the tenth article of the treaty of 1929.
etween Great Britain and Mexico, to the bene.
is OF which American citizens are entitled bv
reaty; yet the imposition Of the contribution up.
n foreigners was considered an unjust and on
ressive measure. Besides, internal factions in
ther parts OF the republic were at the same time
'Vylng similar exactions upon our citizens. and
lterruptlng their commerce. There had been an
ntire failure on the part of our Minister to sc.
ure redress for the wrongs which our citizens
ad endured, notwithstanding his perseverving
horts. And from the temper manifested by the
eIicen government, he had repeatedly assured
> that favorable change could be expected un-
| the United States should "give striking eyi.
ence OF their will and power to protect their cit.
ems, and that "severe Christening is the only
lrthiy remedy for our grievances" From this
atemeut offacts, it would have been worse than
lie to direct Mr.. Forsyth to retrace his steps and
sume diplomatic relations with that govern.
ent; and it was, therefore, deemed proper to
notion his withdrawal of the legation from the
ty of Mexico.
Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists for a
sort to hostillties against the government still
'lding possession Of the capital. Should tbev
cceed in subduing the constitutional forces. ali
asonable hope will then have expired of a peace.
settlement of our difficulties On the other
ma, should the constitutional party prevail and :
cir authority be established over the republic
ere is reason to hope that they will be animal. 7
by less unfriendly spirit, and may grant that !
dress toAmerican citizens which justice requires ]
lar as they may possess the means But for U
ls expectation, should at once have recon- 7
ended to Congress to grant the necessary DOW.
to the President TO take possession of a suffi-
mt portion of the remote and unsettled terrific II
OF Mexico, to be held in pledge until our iniu- q
8 shall be redressed and our Just demands be q
ilsiied. We have already exhausted every mil |,
T means OF obtaining Justice. In such q case a
s remedy OF reprisals is recognized by the law .
nations, not only as just in itself, but as a Il
ans of preventing actual war; e
TEMPORARY PRorEcroRArE REcouNENprp. a
But there is another view Of our relations with G.
xico, arising from the unhappy condition of 81
aHs Hong our southwestern frontier, which u
nands immediate action In that remote re- ty
IN, where there are but few white inhabitants. W
ge bands of hostile and predatory Indians I'll
I'm promiscuously over the Mexican States of
lhuahua and Sonora and our adjoining Terrific
$ The local governments of these States are
fcctly helpless, and are kept in state of con-
mt alarm by the Indians. They have not the m
yer, il they possessed the WILL even to restrain ri
less Mexicans from passing the border and N
uniting depredations on our remote settlers ma
state OF anarchy and violence prevails through m
that distant frontier. The laws are dead Ia
er, and life and property are wholly insecure. mr.
this reason the settlement of Arizona is ar IN
ted, whilst IL is Of great importance that a sL
IN OF inhabitants should extend all along its h,
thern border, sufficient for their own protec- nm
and that of the United States mail passing TO te
from California. Well-founded apprchen- Ie,
IS are now entertained, that the Indians and
ldering Mexicans, equally lawless, may break an
the important stage and postal communica To
recently established between our Atlantic
Pacific possessions. This passes very near
he Mexican boundary throughout the whole
9TH Of Arizona, l can imagine no possible Sta
edy for these evils, and no mode of restoring ex
and order on that remote aud unsettled from mu
but for the government of the United States the
assume temporary protectorate over the or
hern portions of chihuahua and Sonora, and tire
stablsh military posts within the same; and
earnestly recommend to Congress This be'
ats1 L.. 4. mn