Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-12-17

Mr.. Forsyth to retrace bis steps and resume
diplomatic relations with that government; aud
it was therefore deemed proper 70 sanction his
withdrawal of the legation FROM the city OF
I Mexico.
Abundant, cause now undoubtedly exists,
! for a resort 10 hostiilIes against The govern
ment still holding possession of the capiial =
Should they succeed in subduing the consttu-
tional forces, all reasonable hope will then have
1 expired of peaceful settlement of our difficult
+ ties.
On the other hand, shonid the constitutional
party prevail, and the authority be established
1 over the republic, there is reason TO hope HAT
/ they will be animated By les. .unfrenldy spirit
4 aud may grant that redress 10 American clti-
zens which justice requires, 81 far as they may
possess The means. But for this expectation, 1
should at once have recommended 20 Congress
| to grant the necessary power to the President
to take possession of a suf6clsnt portion Of the
remote anG unsettled territory OF Mexico, 10 be
held in pledge until our injuries shall be re-
dressed. and our just demands be satisfed-
/ We have already exhausted every MI teuFshieans
of obtaining justice. In such a case, this REM
edy of reprisals is recognized by the law OF ma
tions, not only as just III itself, tut-as means
OF preventing actual war.
But there is another view OF relate us
with Mexico, arising from tue uunappy condi-
ton of aiflirs along our southwestern frontier,
which demands Immediate action. In that re-
mote region, where there are but few white IN
! habitanis, large bands of hostile aud predatory
/ Indians roam proniScuousiy over the Mexican
States Of Ohihuaaua and Sonora, and our ad-
/ loinin, territories. Tie local governments Uf
these States are perfectly helpless, and are kept
| IN "a stlte of constant alarm by the Indians
/ They have not The power, il they possessed the
viii, even to restrain lawess Mexicans from
passing tae border aud committing depredatiOns
on our remote settlers. \ state of anarchy
and violence prevails throughout that distant
j frontier, The laws are dead letter, anl life
and property are wholly insecure. For tbs
reason the settlement Of Arizona is crested
whilst II is of great Importance that chain of
inhabitants should extend all along lis southern
border, sufficient for their vwa protection aud
4, that Qf tho United States mail passing to and
| from. California. Wel-founded appIohensionS
arc now entertained, hat the Indians, and
wandering Mexeaus, equllly laWless, may break
up the important Stage and postal comaunca-
ton recently established between or Atlantic
and Pacific possessions. Tbs passes very near
/ to the Mexican boundary throughout The Whole
length of Arizona ! can nagine To possible
/ remedy for these evils and no mode of restor-
ing law aud oideI on that remote aud unset
! tied frontier but for the government of The
| United States to assume temporary prOtceto-
rate over the GorthcIn PORTIONS of Chihuahul
and Sonora, and 10 establish military posts With
| in the same--and this earnestly recommend TO
Congress. This protection my bo withdrawn
as soon as local governments shall Ic estab
lished in these Mexican Sta IS capable of per-
forming their dn:ies To the United States, re-
Strainiug the laSless md preserving peace along
the border.
| d. not doubt that this measure will be
viewed in a friendly spirit by the governments
and people Gf chihuahua and Sonora, Is it will
prove cqnally eff4oual for the protection OF
their citizens on that remote and awless frou-
tier, as for citzeus OF The United States.
And in this canGection, permit me to recall
your attention 70 the condition OF Arizona.--
Ihc population Of that territory, numbering As,
is alleged, more hau ten thousand souls, pre
practically without government, without laws,
and without any regular administration Of JUS
tee. Murder aud other crimes are committed
with impuuiy. This state of things calls
loudly for redress; aud therefore repeat my
| recommendation for the establishment of ter
ritori4l government over Arizona.
The political condition of tie narrow 18th
mus of Central America, through which trap
sit routes pass between the Atlantic aud Pa
ciic oceans, presents subject Of deep inter
est to all commercial nations. 1t is over these
transits that a large proportion Of the tIade
and travel between the European aud Asiaiic
continents is destined to pass. TO the United
States these loEtes are OF iucaieuabie import
ance, as means Of communication between
theit Atlantic and Pacific possessions. The
latter now cxteud throughout seventeen de-
sree7 Of Latitude on the Pacific coast, embra-
cling the important State Of California and the
houyishing territories OF Orcgoa and Washing
ington. All commercial natioUs, therefore,
have deep and direct interest, that these
communications shall he rendered secure from
interruption. Ii an arm Of the sea, connect
ing the two oceans, penetrated through Nica-
ragua and Costa Rica, it could not be pretend
cd that these States would have Tho light TO
arrest or retard It's navigation, TO the Injury of
other nations. The transit by land over this
parToT isthmus occapies nearly the same posi-
ti9u 1t is a highway IN which they them
selves have little interest, when compared with
the vast interests of The rest of the world
Whilst their rights of sovereignty ought 70 be
respected, it is the duty of other nations to re-
quire that.this important passage shall not be
Interrupted by the civil wars aud revolutionary
outbreaks which have frequently occurred
in that region. The stake is too important to
be left at ;he mercy Of rival companies, claim
ing to hold conflicting contracts with Nicara-
qua. The commerce of other Eatious is not 20
stand still and await the adjustment of such
petty controversies. The government Of the
United States expect no more than this, and
they will not be satisfied with less. They
would no., ii they could, derive any advantage