The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-12-16
Republic, and the fortunes of the war
are constantly changing.

are constantly changing
Meanwhile, the most responsible means have
been employed by both parties TO extort money
from foreigners, as well as natives, to carry on
this ruinous contest. The truth is, that this
fine country, blessed with productive soil and
benign climate has been rcducei by civil dis
sensions to condition Of almost hopeless anar-
chy and imbecility. 1t would be vain for this
Government to attempt to enforce payment IN
money of the claims Of American citizena, now
amounting to more than ten millions dollars,
against Mexico, because she is destitute Of all
pecuniary means TO satisfy those demands.
Our late minister was furnished with ample
powers and instructions for the adjustment OF all
pending questions with the central government
OF Mexico, and he performed his duty whith zeal
and ability. The claims Of some Of our citizen,
some OF them arising out Of the violation OF an
express provision Of the treaty oFefqadalupe Hi'
daglo, and others form gross injurle5 to persons
as we'll as property, have remained unredress2d
and even unnotced. Remonstrances against
these grievances have been addressed without
effect to that government.
Mean time in various parts OF the republic,
instances have been numerous OF the murder, I'M
prsonment and plunder Of our citizens by dlt,
ferent parties claiming and exercising local
Jurisdiction; but the central government, al
though repeatedly urged thereto, nave made no
effort either to punish the authors ol these out
RACES or to prevent their recurrence NO amer
lean citizen can now visit Mexico on lawful bus
mess, without immediate danger to his person
and property. There is no adequate protection
to either, and in this respect our treaty Win Thai
republic is almost dead letter
This state Of affairs was brought to crisls IN
May last by the promulgation ot decree lev ,
ing contribution pro rata upon all the cap.di
IN the republic, between certain speciheo
amounts, whether held by McIlcans or foreign
eH Mr.. Forsyth, regarding this decree IN inc
light Of "forccd loau,' formally protested
against its application to his countrymen' and
advised them not to pay the contribution but u
suffer it to be Iorcibly eXactei.
Acting upon this advice, an American citizen
refused to pay the contribution, aud his property
was seized by armed men to satisfy the amount
Not content with ths, the gov rrpment proceed
ed still further and issued decree ing
him from the country. Our minister immedi
ately Lotifed them that il this decree should b.
carried into execution he would feel it to be hi
duty to adopt "the most decided measures lha
belong to the powers and obligations of The rep
resuntatiye Office" Notwithstanding this warn
ing, the Punishment was enforced, aud Mr. For
syth promptly announced to the COVE nment tn,
suspension of the political relations OF his lega
ton with them, until the pleasure Of his owl
government should be a,certained,
This Government did not regard the contribu
ton imposed by the decree of the 18th May las
to be, in stiCtness, "fOrced loaned" and a
such prohibited by the lOCh article Of the t eat
of 1896 between Great Britain ana Mexico, t
the benefits Of which American citizens are en-
titled By treatgj yet the imposition of the con
tibution upou foreigners wa considered an un
, Just and oppressive measure. Besides, interna
factions in other parts of the republic were a
the same time leyyIng similar exaCtions upol
the property Of our citizens and intrrruptn
their commerce. There had been an entire fail
ure on the part of our minister to secure relret
for the wrongs which our citizens had endured
, Notwithstanding his peroeyering efforts.
And from the temper manifested BY the Mex
7 Gun Government, he had repeatedly assured Il
e that no favorable change could be expected unit
| the United States should give striking evidenC
Of their will and power 10 protect their citizens,
and that "seyere Christening is tho only earthl
: remedy for our grievances" From this STATE
}, ment Of facts. 1t would have boen worse than id
to direct Mr. Forsyth TO relrace his steps and r,
IA sumo diplomatic relations with that govern
= mcnt; aud it was, therefore. deemed proper
sanction his withdrawal OF The legation from ii
/ city of Mexico.
= Abundant cause now undoubtedly exists for
Z. resort to hOstllies against the gOvernmenksti
holding possession. OF the capitol. Should the
succeed in subduing the constitutional forces "a
q reasonable hope will then have expired of
;. peaceful settlement of our difficulties
Il On the other hand, should the constitution
1 party prevail aud their authority be establish,
VI over the republic, there 10 reason to hope tn
D they will be annlhila.ed by less unlrenly api
it, aud may grant that redress TO American cit
IN zens which Justice requires. 80 far as they mi
u" possess the means
)r But for Interpretation, should at once ha
le recommended to Congress to grant the necess
o( ry powor TO the President to take possession
sufficient portion Of the remote and unsett
~ territory of Mexico, TO be held in pledge un
ST our injuries shall be redressod aud our Just
e. mands he satisfied. We have already exhaust
w. every milder means of obtaining Justice
- such case this remedy Of repriss is recogniz
w by the law of nations, not only rs just in itsC
u but us q means Of preventing actual war.
no | cOn imagine no possible remedy for The
Ia evils and no mode Jf restoring law aud order
,h that remote aud unsettled frontier, but for
W. Government ofthe United States To assum
Nv temporary protecoralo over the northern porto
do of Chihuahua and Sonora, aud TO establish II
Ily ltary posts within the same-aud this earnt
~ " recommend to Congress. This protect
mny be Withdrawn AS sOOn az local gpvernme
,o- shall be established in these MeYican States,
pable of performing their duties 10 the Wi
L.. States, restraining the lawless aud preserv
=. peacC along the border
W But their is another view Of our relations "
M Mexico, arising from the unhappy condition
lar affairs along our south western lronties. VIII
,CI demand immediate action In that remote
=, pon, where there are but few white mhdbila
"" large bands OI hostile aud predatory lndI
no rom promiscuously oyer ,he Mexican State
esi Chihuahua and SonuE% aud our adjoining
nd rtories. The local governments Of these ST.
are perfectly helpless, aud are kept ma stat
we constant alarm by the indians, They have
Tor the power il they possessed the will, even tC
in strain lawCss Mexicans from passing the
ter ders aud committing dcprcdsnoua on our ren
Ia, settlers
NY A state Of anarchy AMI violence prey
throughout that distant frontier. The laws
III. a dead letter, aud life and property are VIII
insecure For this reason the settlement 0f !
vi zona is arrested, while II huf groat import
to that chain of inhabitants should extend
I its along It's southern border, sufficient for
nee own protection aud that Of the United ~
'a.I mail passing to aud from California, W
'o"i founded arprehcnsions are now entertained
mat the Indians and wandering MexicOns, equ
He'd awIess may break up tho important stHgd
can postal communication recently established
MI. tween our Atlantic and Pacific poSsessi
lo'' This passes very near to the Mexlcah bound
throughout the whole length ot Arizona,
iant do not doubt that this measure will be V
,,oI cd in friendly spirit by the governments