The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-12-28

such result. Can the United States especially,
which ought TO share most largely IN its CONNER
ciai intercourse, allow their Immediate neighbor
thus to destroy itself and injuFe them? Yet,
without support from some quarter, it Is impos-
sible to perceive how Mexico can resume her po-
sition among nations and enter upon a career
which promises any good results. The aid which
she requires, and which the interests of all COM
mercIal countries require that she should have,
it belongs to this Government to render, not
only by virtue of our neighborhood to Mexico,
along whose territory we have continuous from
tier of nearly q thousand miles, but by virtue
also, of our established policy, witch is incon-
sistent with the Intervention of any European
power In the domestic concerns of that Re-
public.
The wrongs which re have suffered from Mex
leo are before the world, and must deeply impress
every American citizen. A Government which
is either unable or unwilling to redress such
wrongs is derelict to its highest duties. The diff
fculty consists in selecting and enforcing the
remedy. We may in vain apply to the Constitu-
tional Government at Vera Cruz, although it Is
well disposed to do US justice. for adequate re-
dress. Whilst its authority is acknowledged in
all the important ports throughout the seacoasts
of the republic, its power does not extend to the
City of Mexico, and the States in its vicinity
where nearly all the recent ou.rages have been
committed on American citizens. We must pen
citrate into the interior before we can reach the
offenders, and this can only be done by passing
through the territory in the occupation of the
Constitutional Government. The most accepta-
BILE and least difficult mode of accomplishing the
object viii be to act In concert with that Govern
ment. Their consent and their aid might, / be-
lieTe, be obtained; but if not, our obligation to
protect our own citizens in their Just rights Sc
curedby treaty, would not be the less imperative.
Fer these reasons, recommend to Congress to
pass law authorizing the President under such
conditions as they may deem expedient, to en-
ploy sufficient military force to enter Mexico
for the purpose of obtaining indemnity for the
past and security for the future. purposely re
frain from suggesting as to whether this force
shall consist OF regular troops or volunteers or
both. This question may be most appropriately
left to the decision of Congress. / would merely
observe that should volunteers be selected, such
| force could be essily raised in this country,
among those who sympathise with the sufferings
of onr unfortunate fellow-citizens in Mexico
Such an accession to the forces of the Constitu-
tional Government would enable it soon to reach
the City of Mexico and extend its power over the
| whole republic. In that event, there Is no rea-
SON to doubt that the just claims of cur citizens
would be satisfied and adequate redress obtained
| for the injuries inflicted upon them. The Consti-
| tutional Government have ever evinced strong
desire to do us justice, and this might be secured
| in advance by preliminary treaty.
1t may be said that these measures will, at
least indirectly, be inconsistent with our wise
and settled policy not to interfere in the domes-
tic concerns of foreign nations. But does not
the present case fairly constitute an exception?
| An adjoining republic is in state of anarchy
and confusion from which she has proved Who'll
| ly unable to eXtricate herself She is entirely
destitute 3f the power to maintain peace upon
her borders, or to prevent the incursons of
banditti into our territory In her fate and her
fortune-in her power to establish and MAIN
tain settled government-we have far deep
er interest, socially, commercially, and political
ly than any other nation. She is now wreck
upon the ocean, drifting about as she is impelled
| hv 0jffpranS faptJ0ng Aq orood hhor
shall we not extend to her a helping hand to
save her? If we do not, it would not be surpri.
sing should some other nation undertake the
task, and thus force US to interfere at last, un.
der circumstances of increased difficulty for the
maintenance of our established policy.
I repeat the recommendation contained in my
/ last annual message that authority may be
given to the President to establish one or more
d temporary military posts across the Mexican
line in Sonora and Chihuahua where these may
be necessary to protect the lives and property
of American and Mexican citizens against the
incursions and depredations of the Indians, as
well as of the lawless roEers on that remote
region. The establishment Of one such post a
point called Arispe, in Sonora, in a country
now almost depopulated by the hostile inroad
of the Indians from our side of the line, would
! it is believed, have prevented much injury anC
many cruelties during the past season. A stat,
Of laWlessness and violence prevails on tina
:, distant frontier. Life and property are ther'
wholly insecure. The population of Arizona
7 now numbering more thaa ten Thousand souls
are practically destitute of government, of laws
or of any regular administration of Justice
Murder; rapine and other crimes are committed
+ with impunity. ], therefore, again call the at
: tention of Congress to the necessity for estab
fishing territorial government over Arizona
NICARAGUA COSTA RIGA &C.
The treaty with Nicaragua of the 10th Febru
ary 1857, to which referred in my last annua
Government of that Republic, for reasons whicl
1 need not enumerate. A similar treaty has beel
since concluded between the parties bearing dat
on the 10th March 1859, which has already beel
ratified by the Nicaragua Congress. This vii
be immediately submitted to the Senate for thei
ratification. Its provisions cannot, think fai
to be acceptaEe to the people of both Countries
Our claims against the Governments eff Cost;
Rica and Nicaragua remain unredressed, thougl
they are pressed in an earnest manner, and no
without hope of success.
deem it TO be my duty once more earnestl
to recommend to Congress the passage of Law
t authorizing the President to employ the nava
force at his command for the purpose of protect
ing the lives and property of American citizen
passing in transit across the Panama Nicaragu
and Tehauntenee routes, against sndden an
: lawless outbreaks and depredations. l shall no
! repeat the arguments employed in formermessa
L
say that the lives Of many of our people, and tn
: security of vast amounts of treasure passing an
repassing over one or more of these routes be
tween the Atlantic and Pacific, may be deepl
1 involved in the action of Congress on this sub
leet
PROTECTION TO AMERICAN VESSELS
! would, also again, recommend to Congress
, that authority be given to the President to EN-
1 chant vessels, their crews and oargoes, agains
: violent and unlawful seizure and confiscation
! the ports of Mexico and the Spanish America
: States when these countries may be in disturb
/ ed and revolutionary condition. The mer
: knowledge that such an authority had been cor
: ferred, as have already stated, would, of itse
in great degree, prevent the evil. Neither woul
: this require any additional appropriation for th
. naval service. = =
The chief objection urged against the grant
: this authority is, that Congress, by conferrini
}, it, would violate the Constitution-that it woul
II be transfer of the war-Hlaking, or, strictl
7 speaking, tae war-declaring power of the Exec
: utive. 1t this were well founded, it would,
. course, be conclusive. A very brief examini
: ton, however, will place this objection at res
IS Congress possess the sole and exclusive pow
: or, under the Constitution 'sto declare war. y
i They alone can raise and support armies" an
( Hprovide and maintain navy" But after Coz
gress shall have declared war, and provided I'll
force necessary to carry it on, the President, /;
J, Commander-in-Chief Of the Army and Nav
can alone employ this force in making w;
against the enemy. This is the plain languag
% and history proves that it was the well-know
{. intention Of the trainers of the Constitution.
2 1t will not be denied that the general 'pow
:, y to declare war" is without limitation and er
# braces within itself not only what writers c
/ the law of nations term public or perfect wa
1t but also an imperfect war-and, in short evel
lie species of hostility, however confined or limite
al Without the authority of Congress the Pres
ss dent cannot fire hostile gun in any case e.
eept to repel the attacks of an enemy. 1t w
I I not be doubted that under this power Congre
i could, if they thought proper, authorize tt
le President to employ the force at his commar