The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-24
BALTIMORE.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER "a, 1853.

occasion for the display of all the virtues, and |
much denunciatory eloquence besides-on the part |
of British journalists and statesmen. Judging |
from the severe reproof which our peccadilloeS in
this respect never fail to call FORTH on the other
side of the Atlantic, one would hardly suppose |
that the English people had ever been guilty of
similar cnormities themselves. The beam in their
own eve quite escapes observation, in the excess
of their solictude to pluck out the mote which is
supposed to obstruct our moral vision. Are we
accused Of casting longing eye upon what the
late Mr.. CALHOUN used TO aptly cal-'the forbidden
fruit of Cuba?-straightway England that has
just swallowed, and not yet dgested, whole king
doms and prncipalities in Inda-bristles with
virtuous indignation. Are we suspected of
cherishing evil designs against any of our
neighbors in Central America? England,
that for a century past has kept and
still retains unlawful possession of Ruatan and
the Bay Islands-rolls her eyes and lifts her
hands in pious horror at the thought. In fact
so deeply TO heart do our afIectionate kns-
men appear to take our transgressons in this
sort, that no opportunity is let slip by their
press and orators in Parliament--of reading US
stealing, and the exceeding siafulness of coveting
our neghbors' goods. In the midst of all this
objurgation, however, and these frequent chidings
for our misdoings, it cannot have escaped the
attention of the intelligent reader, that there is
one case, at least, in which our cenSors are dis
posed to deal lenently with us-and to relax
somewhat in our favor the extreme stringency of
the moral law-and extend to us the largest lib
erty and widest latitude of territorial expansion
1t is in the case of Mexico. For period of near
ly twelve montbs-the London Times has been
unceasing in its efforts to demonstrate not only
the expediency but the necessity-if not-of our
annexing bodily the territory of that Republic
at least, of our establishing military Protectorate
over (which, in the end, would probably
amount to exactly the thing. With this
view-The Times has appealed by turns TO our
cupidity and our Misunderstanding at one
time. upon the advantages we should reap from
the possession of that fair and fertile land-and
pathetically dwelling,-at another,-upon the
misery and wretchedness of its present condition.
Not content with ensuring us in acknowledgement
any interference on the part of its own govern
ment-it has promised us, over and over again, the
moral support and sympathy of all Christendom-
in such a measure Now--at first blush all this
appears exceedingly kind and disnterested; and
not until the direct interest which English credi-
tors of Mexico have in the establishment of a
stable government in that country, such as the
UNITED STATES alone can conveniently afford
does the utter selEshness of the scheme become
apparent. Mexico owes to English bond-hoIders-
oF
and interest of which-she is equally unable TO
pay. Hinc alOe lacryme! Hence these lamenta-
tons of The Times over Mexicos unhappy and
bankrupt condition, and hence the anxiety mani
tested in England for the establishment of an
American Protectorate over that country. This
notable scheme-originally devised in London,
and intended primarily for the benefit of the Eng
fish bond-holders has not met with a very favor
able reception on this side of the water. Several
influential journals--among them the New York
TimeS-have given it their support-and in the
Senate of the UNITED STATES, General HoUsToN has
advocated it in speech of considerable vigor
and power-which met with great appreciation,
at meeting of the bond-holders in London. But
in spite of the Establishments of The TAunderer
and the arguments of its New York namesalle, and
the Texan Senator-the idea, so far, has been but
coldly received. Even the modified plan proposed
by the PREsIDENT-of Protectorate over the
States of Chihuahua and Sonora--their occupation
by our troops, by a sort of process of attachment
for debts due to our own citizens by Mexico-and
their retention in hands, collateral security
for the ultimate payment of those debts-has failed
to meet with any very favorable response. The
probabilities, therefore, of such Protectorae
over Mexico being voluntarily assumed by our
Government, may be pronounced TO be exceeding
ly small. That the responsibility which we so lit
tie covet however, may, one day, devove upon
us, invountarily, and through the operation OF
causes not of our own creation, and but partially
under our controls q much more likely SUPPOSE
ton. Our own citizens are not the only, nor the
principal even, among the creditors of Mexico.
She is largely indebted to subjects of England
of France-and Of Spain. Besides-she has a
separate and much more weighty account to settle
with the Governments of each of those countries
for actual insults and injuries inflicted upon their
subjects residing within her borders. Should any
of those Governments choose to demand reparation
for those .njures,-or require material guaranty
against their repetition-or press final settlement
of the Just claims of its subjects-Aexico is utterly
unable to offer either. The only redress to be had
in such case, is that proposed by Mr. BUCHANAN il
his Message, as the proper course for our own Gov
eminent to pursue--viZ: the seizure and occupa
ton of some portion of the Mexican territory
This, however, it would SEEM is summary pro
ceeding, which, although we might have scru
Piles ourselves in adopting, we can, by no means
permit to any foreign power. Mr.. BUCHANAN tell
us-almost in the same breath in which he recon
mends the military occupation of chihuahua AM
Sonora-one-fourth of Mexico-that 'it is
"duty which we owe to ourselves to pro
"tect the integrity of its territory agains
''any other power" If this be the policy of gu
government, and Mr.. BUCHANAN assures us tina
it is four wel-settled policy in regard to tn
North "American Continent then, if any for
eign Government should press its demands agains
Mexico for settlement, in the present bankrupt AM
disorganized condition of that country-ther
would be no alternative but for the UNITED STATE
to intervene in her behalf and prevent the dismem
berment of her territory. This result could, c
course, be accomplished in but one of two ways
either by successful war waged by our Govern
ment in defence of Mexico, or by an agreement Of
our part to pay the debts which may have occa
stoned the dispute. In the latter event-justc
to ourselves would dictate the establishment c
Protectorate for the double purpose c
indemnifying ourselves for our risk or outlay, a
the case might be-and of preventing the recur
renee of similar complications in future. In thi
way-if at all-Mexico is probably destined t
pass under our control. She would in such con
tingency be virtually thrown upon our hands
and nothing short of an entire abandonment OF
our part of what is popularity but erroneous
called the MONROE doctrine, would relieve US iron
the necessity-either of espousing her quarrel, o
of taking her permanently under our charge. I
is an alternative which any day may present to us
in the present unsettled condition of the relation
of Mexico with each and all of the powers tina
we have named.
The London papers announce the death of Mis-
Susannah Thrale. She was the third daughter o
Henry Thrae. the brewer, at whose h0spitabl
bouca (Strea than DR. johnson sppnt much q