Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-12-18
The House then adjourned.
SONORA AND CHIHUAHUA

The recommendation in the message of the Presi-
dent that the United States should assume tempo
rary proectorate Sonora and chihuahua is foun-
Ied not only in just right of reprisal for aggravated
and ong-continued outragcs upon American citizens,
but upon principles of Sclfpreservation and upon
humanity for the people Of these frontier States
The condition of these States, although similar in
point of misgovernmcnt and oppression is not the
same in degree Sonora contains fifteen millions of
acres of land, and population of about 10000
souls. including Indians Of this number, reliable
authority estimates only five per cent. being able
to read and write. The number of inhabitants who
call themselves rhite-"gchte lie rd<0n docs not
probably exceed 80 00.
Sonora is beyond all doubt, the richest mineral
region in the known world, blessed with fine eli
mate, and in the valleys the richest soil. Sugar,
cotton, wheat, corn peas beans, all the fruits grow
in a righteousness and profus:on unknown even to
our southern possessions The people naturally
(locilc and accustomed to labor caring only to be
let alone to make the State rich and prosperous by
.heii Quiet toll. With all these advantages Sonora
is to-day in the most miserable condition. The
whole State is the prey of the Apache indians All
| cultivation, except in the immediate vicinity of the
towns is abandoned. The high roads are daily stain
ed with the blood of the people The whole mining
region Of the northern portion of the State is aan
doned, and the commercial world is deprived of
| the silver which it so much needs. From
searches which will shortly be made public through
the Indian Department, it is aScertained that more
| than onefourth of the ella Apaches are Mexican
children who have been carried into captivity and
! have grown up savage. Annually, hundreds of
| both sexes are captured. They never return eX-
! cept when familiariZed with the Indian life. What
is this to the United States? And when is
thority avenge the wrongs of asslssins inflicted
upon !; foreign population: The answer is plain.
These have their hauntS in the United States north Of
| the ella river. From the valleys of its northern
branches they descend into Sonora and chihuahua
plumber murder, and take prisoners, and return with
their ilgotten booty to their homes, where they
! main until want or inclination again sends them
| forth. Secure in their retreat. when they have
crossed our boundary line-which MeXicans dare not
! cross-they pursue their way lesurcly back. We,
in effect give shelter to these predatory bands, and
become partices criminis in the despoiiing of the
faireSt province upon which the sun ever shone.
More than this Arizona, which has been gradually
growing in importance since its acquisition, is made
the high road Of the despoiler and its Development
which promises to augment in great degree the
wealth of the world, is checked people, the
sturdy pioneers of civilization, are robbed our only
mail communication overland to the Pacific through
out the year liable to be stopped; ard have no
redress. This willy savage the Apache, after Sc
we're outrage upon side of the line retreats into
! Mexico where we cannot follow him, makes tenn
porary peace with the nearest MeXcan authority,
and remains until greater temptation offers. The
Mexican government affords neither protection nor
redress. Our readers will observe that have
touched only phase of this question This alone
would have justified us long since in establishing
military posts in Sonora and chihuahua. We are
assured upon competent authority that protection
by the United States from the Apaches will be re-
ceived by the people with gratitude which no
words can express Washington Union.