The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-20
K. G.. G..
LETTER FROM GENERAL Buckley
( HEADQUARTERS AMERICAN LEGION, X. G. c.,
/ WHITE SUIPHuR SPRINGs

|
| GENTLEMEN: Seeing in your paper of the l4th
inst, some editorial remarks about the military Or
ganization denominated X. G.. c., and that you are
| laboring under erroneous Impressions beg to
make an explanatory remark two on certain
points, and, in so doing, you at liberty to make
what use OF this letter you may see fit, though |
write it for your eye only, since interest is not
to be subserved by making this movement motto
| rious
In the outset, you could hardly take as compe-
tent witness the word of who had violated the
enclosed obligation. But, evidently, we have
| fallen into bad company, since The Tribune must
evidently have possessed a set of papers, and, as
| far stated detailed much that was true. Since
then, you seem to have come in possession of a
receipt mot "scrip''-usually issued to every man
who pays his initiation fee-the small sum of one
dollar and weekly tax of ten cents, which sums
altogether inadequate to the expenses of the or
ganization; for your own judgment will reveal the
fact, that the expenses of hall rent printing, sta
tionery, postage, &C., &c, to say nothing of trav-
cling expenses, must be great. 1t was
originally the intention to have raised capital by
the sale of bonds based on reliable securities, but
it was found that capital could be had in large
abundance from several sources, and hence to the
members of the rganization-indeed to no one
was stock sold, and no receipts would have been
issued but that might protect ourselves from
the misrepresentation of parties who might claim
the credit of having assisted pecuniarily, with
| out having done Again, in case of failure, we
can now demand of parties to present their receipts
and reclaim their fees.
There is no opportunity for individual specula-
ton in the organization. We are Americans, united
for certain laudable ends in the accomplishment
which EVERY man in Christerdom is Interested and
I in as
Another mistake, which l beg particularly to
correct, is the assertion that the Federal Govern
ment is disposed to assist such a movement
| l think | may safely say that the influence of
else but desirable. This organization is composed
of law-abiding citizens, who, even if they were
themselves disposed to stretch point to gain
| the end, would decidedly object to the least
loose action on the part of the Government. Under
Jackson, the principles of the KS g. c. could be
publicly carried into execution: but President
Buchanan has his hands too full of bad jobs to risk
bold, daring thing; and the KS G. c. only ask to
correct a few of his mistakes which they are sure
to doeven if it has to be done under another Pre-
| sident.
If Won would ask for the evidences of these mis-
takes of the Administration beg to cite you to his
| inaugural, and its sentiments-to his project of
paying 5000 900, 900 for Cuba and his hasty recop-
milton of the Juarez Government through Minister
Mcllane. So far as Cuba is concerned, | beg to
announce to you the sense of the KS G. G. If the
Cuhans desire to be rid Of Spanish domination,
| and to be a State in the American Union on an
equal footing, we will guarantee the accomplish
ment of her wishes. If Spain objects, she would,
then let Mr.. Buchanan rest assured that the K G. c.
win undertake to carry through to our honor and
credit, the incidental war contract, and the high
estgures shall not exceed S25 900 000-thus saving
to the Government SIS, 900, 900. So much for his
Cuban project, which has made our name a reproach
throughout the Island and the mother country
l come next to his recognition of the Juarez Gov
| eminent This is a matter not well understood,
and if do not tresspass too much your time al
low me to explain The pure patriotism of our 90
vernmental machinery has degenerated so much
from what it was in the days of Jefferson, jackson
and Tyler, that the central power is little more
than patent machine for individual and corporate
speculation. The President and his cabinet mean to
be honest, but Wall street over-reaches every thing
and everybody. There were parties greatly in
terested in certain grants of transit privileges, &c.
and as Mr.. Forsyth could not and would not stoop
to their advocacy before the Zuloaga government,
he was recalled and Mr. kcLane was sent out speci-
| ally instructed to recognize the Juarez govern
ment and then to push our claims for certain trea-
ties, of no national Importance whatever; but Ju-
arez, O'Campo, or somebody else, has seen through
| the scheme, and Mr. McLane is politely
informed that such and such things cannot be done.
| Whereupon Mr.. McLane writes fiery anathemas
against Juarez, and strongly threatens another
war with Mexico! Now, we spent $500, O00, 900 in
our last war with Mexico; when the whole job, if
let out to the lowest bidder, would not have cost
$4,000, 900; but is it right that powerful govern
| ment should thus attempt to bully weak one into
dishonorable terms And again, in recognizing
the Juarez party as the government in fact of Mex
leo, great outrage done the score of inter-
national polity. Our people. have been set in a
wrong light before the world, because in Demo-
cratic nations the executive is supposed to reflect
the national sentiment. Mr.: FORSYTH found the
people of Mexico dyided-as they always are
into two or more factions. One of these parties
was sustained by the clergy, the landed and mining
interests, the education virtue and capital of the
nation, and by the prestige of legitimacy 1t must
in mi nd haiti in he obu bos
all that has been done for Mexican civilization and
in the course of its work. it has accumulated vast
property. On the basis of this the clergy de-
manded the right of voice in the government
and found sympathy for its demands from the en-
tire responsibility and intelligence of the nation
! But as there are always discontinued politicians
in all republics, so there were here; and few of
the more daring demagogues formed party, with
the ostensbe purpose of opposing the claims of the
| clergy party. 1t drew to its support the dscon-
tented, envious. disappointed, and reckless. 1t was
embraced by the negroes, mulattoes, Poems,
"Greasers," and the very scum of Mexican society
who at once rebelled against the government, and
set up for themselves under the hgh-sounding name
of "Libera party" 1t certainly had the sympathy
| of the uAterriied masses, but that the ignorant
masses Of Mexico can comprehend the word Glib
erty, much less its exercise, very much question
| England and France refused to recognize the In
surrechonists, but Mr.. Buchanan made haste to do
80; and in so doing he only did what England would
have done, if, in 1884, when NAT Turner rebeled,
In Virginia, she had recognized him and his band as
the legitimate government of the State of Virginia
ThsSeases are parallel. If Mr.. Buchanan will keep
his finger out of the pie" the KS G. G. might if
tfhey choose, relieve him of the embarrassments
into which he has precipitated himself.
The H u. G. are ready for any honorable work.
not in violation of our laws, as youwill perceive by
been circulating that 5000 American volunteers
were being enlisted for Mexico. Let me make this
remark: If 200 men from the United States land
in Mexico, they will stand on their own responsible
ty in less than thirty days; for there will be an i'm
mediate union of all parties to destroy and expel
| them. Juarez and his ministry will at once be
without Mexican support, and if the United States
| required 100000 men and four years to bring the
Mexicans to terms, let not our people think that
| 5000 unprovded and unsupported men can do the
work in a few months Mexico has population of
5000 0OO She has the ability to bring into the field
1000 men, and the character of the country
would enable her to maintain an active guerrilla
war for century. Besides, let it be understood
that Mexico has national debt of Sl53 900 O0O and
an annual deficit of SIT 900 900, and YOU will see
that others besides 5000 American volunteers have
an interest in the future of Mexico.
| MEXICO NEEDS PEAcE The lives of the citizens
and their property must be protected-she must
| have navy, maritime commerce-her lands must
be titled, her mines must be reopened. her valleys
must resound under the tramp of the iron horse
her people must be educated-her church exclusive
ness must be broken up-the press must do its work.
and then will Mexico indeed be the lovelest of coun-
tries. The KS G. c. would be willing to do such
work for Cuba, Mexico, the Central American or
| South American States. But it would not invade
those nations-rob and plumber the people-devas-
tate the country and disgrace our national honor;
and until something of this kind is contemplated
or attempted, think you have no right to term us
fllibusteros, The K. G. c. is over IL, 900 strong
and what is MORE the flower of the nation including
many of its best men, are members of the organiza-
ton. 1t has the ability to command all the ipfu-
ence needed in its work, and if it does not benefit
its friends it certainly will injure them Of
course the management of such organization is
most laborous, and for this reason we cannot stop
to defend ourselves from rude assaults. | feel we'll
assured that if the editors of The Exchange were
fully informed to the nature of the organization
in its various departments, it would have better
advocate of its work and principles than The En-
change. Except to accommodate our policy, we
should have secrets in our work-a secret organ
zation has enabled us to pick our men, and from
success even The Exchange might take hint.
With sentiments of respect,
| remain, gentlemen,
very truly, your obedent servant,
GEO. Buckley,
Commander-in Chief American Legion, K. G.. G.