Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1859-03-05
On the War Prospect.

kJCCOL las otllOi UCO OU.
editors fine opportunity to predicate
and contradict. J. Watson Webb.
speaking through his paper, the Cour.
Ter d Enquirer, pronounces the follow
ing passage the strongest III the open
ing speech:
The state Of the Republic Of Mexico
distracted by civil war, has induced
me to carry foTbearance to its utmost
limits in regard to wrongs and indigni-
ties to which British residents have
been subjected at the hands of the two
coatending parties. They have at
length been carried to such an extent
that have been compelled to give in
structiions to the commander of my
naval forces in those seas to demand,
and, if necessary, to enforce due rep
arauOn.
And draws therefrom the following
conclusions:
Language SO emphatic, towards
another nation, is a rare thing for a
Royal Address, and betokens most
deliberate and determined policy, in a
hostile sense. 1t means nothing else
than outright intervention in the civil
wars Of Mexico, and an enforcement of
British will for the Establishment Of a
hxed government, and for the fulfill
mept Of what England shall conceive
to be the duties of that government
The language which the British Minis
try has put in the mouth of the Queen,
enti, ely confirms the unfavorable con-
struction that has been put upon the
presence of the English and French
fleets at Vera Cruz and the active
movements Of the English and French
Ministers IL favor Of Zuloaga and the
react;onary party. For o long time
there has been signs that covert Euro
pean Intervention was constantly active
and potent in Mexican affairs
There has been in fact, the best rea-
son to believe that by virtue Of that
alone, Zuloaga and his son-in-law Mira
mon have retained power at the capt.
tai; for there can be no doubt that the
great majority OF the people are on the
side of the Liberals. 1t is easy enough
to conceive the motives which would
prompt the European powers to aid the
champions Of a strong government
Jealousy Of our influence and Of our
Interior designs is enough in itself to
account for it. The Liberal party are
Of course most in sympathy with Amer
lean institutions, and are least unwilling
to harmonic the policy Of Mexico with
our own. The Church party hate and
dread us beyond all measure, and are
ever ready to serve European interests
in preference to our own and of course
the European powers having something
Of the same feeling, would naturally
enough side with his party even were
their interests not at AL to be promoted
byit. The hostile demonstration which
the Queen is made to announce, is to
be q demonstration not against Ia
loaga, but against the Juarez govern
ment which is assailablc by any foreign
force; and when the Queen states that
she has "giyen instructions to the com
mander Of my naval forces III those
seas to demand, and if necessary, TO
enforce due reparatio8," it is equlva-
lent to say that the Juarez government
must be attacked. BY as much as the
Juarez government suffers, by so much
of course the ZuIoaga government
gains.
Our own government cannot look
upon these demonstrations with lndltter-
ence. Hitherto we have maintained
complete neutrality between the con-
tending parties. Juarez has sent min
lister to " asnington, but no assurance
has been given that he will be recog-
nized. We're there no foreign interior
enoe, this laisseS faire policy on our
part would doubtless be carried out to
the end. But it will no longer answer.
We have as much to complain OF
against Mexico as has either England,
or France, or Spain. The files Of our
State Department are loaded down
with claims which she has refused to
requite and grievances she has neglect
ed to redress, They have not been
pressed against her, because our peo-
pie have looked upon her more as an
object Of pity than for Indignation
Her weak, torn, wretched condition,
has always been a controlling argument
for forbearance. IF we could afford to
practice this, SO could the powers the
other side Of the water. If it was
right and just on our part, so would it
have been on theirs. Least Of all did
it behoove them to make a hostile de-
monstration at Just the iuncture when
the party with which nearly all the in
telligence and worth Of the nation are
identified, was in the field and about
to achieve both military and moral
victory which would, in all probability,
have put an end to revolutions and Sc