The Nevada Democrat., 1858-06-09
Tn. pr.co..a nrer,ean Protectorate.

The Proposed Mexican Protectorate'
The vetran Senator from Texas, Gen. Sam
Houston, somtime since introduced resolution
into the Senate, providing for the appointment
Of special Committee, to enquire into the ex-
pedency of the United States establishing a
protectorate over Mexico. The speech Of Gen.
Houston, In support Of the resolution was re-
plete with historical interest, and has been
much commented on by the press. He did not,
however, suggest any plan BY which the pro-
posed protectorate is to be established, Though
he endeayored to prove that it would be no ex-
pense to our government Our Gulf squadron,
he thought, would be amply sufficient TO protect
the Mexican commerce, and five U. S. regiments
would be able to maintain order and put down
ell outbreaks in the republic; the revenue then
accruing from duties on imports is to be taken
charge of by agents of our government aud be
strictly applied to paying the interest on the
Mexican debt, and the expenses of the protectO-
rate. This theory looks tOlerably well on paper,
but il attempted to be put in practice, it wovld
be found to work badly. The revenues Of Mexi-
leo have doubtless been grievously squandered
and misapplied, ever since that republic attained
its independence, bat our government has al
ways found it q difficult task to take care Of its
own revenue, and is not likely to take upon
itself the burden of collecting and disbursing
the revenue Of q foreign government whose
laws and customs our officers must in great
measure be unacquainted with.
Doubtless the people Of Mexico would be
benefited by the establishment Of the proposed
protectorate-their condition could not possibly
be made any worse-but the difficulty would
be to convince them Of this, 80 that they would
consent to be taken under the protection of our
government. SO great is the hatred Of that
people towards their northern neighbors, that
the different factions, who are fighting con-
stantly among themselves, would unite to a
man against any attempt to establish protee-
torate over them, and it could only be establish
ed by a military force, sufficiently strong to
conquer the country. There are many intehi
gent men in Mexico in favor Of annexation to the
United States, but the ignorant masses are sc
prejudiced against the Americans, that any
project looking TO o union of the two republic
is regarded az impractcable. Mexican dcma
gogus frequently pander to this prejudice o
the masses to further their own political aspira
tions.
AS an independent government Mexico maj
now almost be regarded as broken up. Tn,
experiment of a republic in her case has failed
and the people have proved themselves incapa
BILE of selfgovernment. Six or eight States
still acknowledge allegiance to the central pow,
er at the city Of Mexico, while the extreme
northern and southern States are acting indie.
pendently, and at the same time are rent with
Internal feuds. A furious civil war is now
raging in Sonora, between the Gandara and
Pesquiera factions, each contending for saprem-
aey, neither regarding the central power at the
capital and the condition of the other terrific
ries and a majority of the States is not dissimi.
lar. The policy Of our government is to resist
all attempts Of European governments TO inter
fere with the internal affairs of Mexico As Q
distinct republic she is fast becoming dsinte.
grated, aud room there will scarcely be the
aemblance Of central government. Then, If the
States bordering on our territory, becoming
tired of their local brois, desire to be annexed,
cur government can extend its protection over
them.
The proposition Of Gen. Huston is novel, but
there are SO many practical difficulties to be
encountered in carrying it out, that it will
meet with little favor at present. The resolu.
ton was not agreed to by the Senate.