The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-09
MEXICAN AFFAIRS
[From Lhe \. Y. JournaI Of commerce J


1t seems useless TO attempt the task of keeping thor
oughly informed with regard to the ups and downs of all
the pretenders TO power in Mexico AT all events he
who undertakes this formidable task will find little time
for attention to other matters, and suspect learn in
the end that he has been engaged IN proiess business
This much, however, do know, that that country
seems fast sinking into abyss from which none OF its
own citizens extricate It, Whether Iuloaga, Juarez
Vidaurr Alvarez La Lave other of the score of
pretenders struggling for the mastery, shall next
have possession of the capital is OF no material import
ance for possession of the capital py no means implies
control of the government and power to administer its
affairs either wisely at all On the contrary, there
does not seem to be any man in Mexico equal to the
emergency Of restoring the government TO vgor and
force sufficient to control all its parts and we see no
prospect of the accomplishment of move
ment if the country is to continue intact for any consid
erable period of time. A2 ~ s4tlN
Those who are best informed the subject, and who
have the best opportunities of judging, believe that the
existence of Mexico conederated concentrated gov
ernment at an end nearly and that the Next
can territory must pass under the Jurisdiction Of some
other power remain in state OF civil discord and
strife for an indefinite period Such conclusion seems
warranted by the existing cts and as the party most
interested in the subject the government and people OF
the United States naturally inquire what IS their duty IN
such an emergency. We have advocated the policy OF
letting Mexico alone as long she is able to stand alone
policy most in keeping with the course which this gov
eminent has pursued towards the inferior powers on
this contnent--and reason to depart from 1t
at this time But if the time shall arrive, present cir
custances indicate when the jurisdiction over Mexican
territory must pass to some power outside OF that co
try question will be presented for our consideration
quite different from any which has yet arisen in rea
tions with the Mexican people. We cannot consent that
any European power shall exercise dominion over Mex
co and it therefore follows almost of necessity that wc
shall be compelled to accept it, sooner or later ourselves
To have the whole of Mexico thrown upon hands at
once would be a public misfortune We cannot spare
the emigrants to infse the American element into it
sufficiently for adapting it to our system OF government
and we do not desire to hold it contrary to policy and
the spirit of government mere dependency Our
territory should be settled and controlled by a people
breathing the spirit of our institutions. sG-I
In this view of the question the policy OF acquiring
by purchase portions of Mexican territory finds favor
among conservative They do not covct their neigh
bors property they do not desire an extension OF
boundaries for the sake OF extending our power
merely and many regret the necessity which is imposed
upon us of absorbing much of this continent seems
destined to fall under control But they accept the
responsibility which seems to be inseparabe from tho
workings of system and while refrdning regiously
from the spirit Of conquest the desire of absorption,
yet view Of the necessities of the prefer that the
change shall be made in the mode best calculated to pro
mote the public veal Exercising, therefore, wise fore-
cast in view of the inevitable destiny of the Mexican
States to be the part of sound craftsmanship to
secure by gradual concessions and for fair equivalent
such portions of the territory contiguous to own
they may be willing spare and thus bring under our
own laws and accustom its population to Institutions
This is better than violent changes such as the transfer
of the whole of Mexico at to our jurisdction bet
Ter than proectorate, such as has been proposed
by General Houston and advocated by portion OF the
American press t.@ ~
1t would be difficult to say precisely what the present
state of our relations with Mexico. 1t was announced
that Mr. Forsyth had demanded and received his pass
ports on account of whe he considered nwnranted
proceeding the part OF the Zuoaga Later
advces seem show that he has simply suspended dplo
matte intercourse and still remains in the country await
ing the instructions of his own government Whether
our will sustain the step which he has taken
has not yet transpired There conflicting opinions
with regard to the point in question: one party consider
;~4
nature of forced loan from American citizens and this
appears to be Mr.. Forsyths view of the case,) while
others think it possible that it within that Gus
tomary and lawful taxation, which every government,
according to writers on international law, has right to
levy upon its own and the subjects of other nations red
ing within its territory 1T is probable that the views of
the administration will in due time be made public, to-
gether with the instructions to Minister at the Mcxi
can capital. 4