The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-04-15

1t has been the practice of the UNITED STATES
heretofore, with reference to Mexican revolutions
to recognize as the government the chiefs OF that
party which succeeded in holding possession of the
national Capital. As general thing the rule has
not worked badly. In some instances, however,
as in the case of ZULoAGA, this precipitation has
resulted in nfcting serious damage upon the
cause which though temporarily unsuccessful,
still retained the strongest hold upon the affections
of the people. That the moral support accorded to
the Reactionsts gave confidence to their partizans,
and encouraged the Church to furnish the new gov
eminent with large sums of money for the purpose
of maintaining the supremacy which had been ac-
ouired by the overthrow of CoMoNFoRT, cannot he
questioned nor is there any doubt that the series of
victories that were subsequently won by OsoLLos
and MIRAMoN resulted, in great measure, from the
assistance thus derived. The recognition Of ZULo-
AGA while the Liberals kept the field in force, and
JUAREz persisted in performing the duties which,
upon the retirement of CoMoNFoRT, constitutonally
devoved upon hm-was, therefore, serious blum
der on the part of our Minister, Mr.. FORSYTH, and
when he subsequently retraced his steps and dis
played a sympathy for the Liberals, his influence
at the Capital was weakened thereby, and
himself exposed to the charge of treachery towards
the party in power. Whatever the Representatives
of other nations at the Mexican Capital, might do
ii was clearly the duty of Mr.. FORSYTH to have
bded the course of events before acknowledging
the Government of ZULoAGA. His failure to do so,
forced the Administration upon a vacillating line
of policy, which was neither in accordance with
+bc of fbat
straightforward mode of dealing which alone can
inspire confidence in the breasts of others. Under
the circumstances, however, there was no possible
escape from the dilemma until some new turn in
the affairs of Mexico presented favorable
opportunity for repudiating the course of the
Reactionists and re-openng diplomatic re
lations with the Constitutionalists. The advance
of MIRAMoN upon Vera Cruz was very justly re-
garded as the turning point in the future position
of the two parties. If he succeeded in obtaining
possession of that sea port his tenure of power
provisional President of Mexico might have been
indefinitely prolonged If he failed in an enter
prise which he himself had proclaimed to be of vi
tai Importance, and had denounced ECHEAGARY fol
hestating to attempt, it was not difficult to fore
see how strongly such reverse would operate in
favor of the Constitutionaliss. When the new:
first reached US of his intention to undertake tn
expedition, we pointed out the obstacles agains
which he would have to contend, and expresses
our doubts of his ability to defeat the forces wit
which the Liberals might occupy either the passe
of La Hoya or Cerro Gordo, or the strong defen
sve position at the National Bridge. BY maku
q long detoar he avoided these dangers. Instea
of marching towards the Gulf by the usual high
way he quilted the public road and sweep
ing round through the valley of Orizaba az
preached Vera Cruz by the bridge of Medeir
which some of our readers may recolect q
the scene of one of the most brilliant skrmishe
which occurred during the siege of that city b
General SCoTT. At the bridge of Medellin Mira
MON encamped the small force he had succeeded i
bringing with him to the lowlands of the Gulf, an
after accommodating in person the defences whic
he had proposed to carry by assault, prudent
concluded to try his hand in the frstinstance, NJ
on the little port of Alvarado. Meeting with
signal repulse at that point, he withdrew the mai
body of his troops from the bridge of Medellin an
returned to the valley of Orizaba, from whence
threw forward q strong detachment to aid In Il
defence of the Capital which, at the last account
was threatened by the forces Of the Liberals und
DEGoLLADo. While these events were transpirin
our new Commissioner, Mr.. McLANE, reached We
Cruz, and three days after his arrival, in view
the successes which the Liberalists had achieve
formally recognized the government of JUAREz
We are not however, quite so certain as some
our contemporaries appear to be, that this chan
of front on the part of the UNITED STATES w
have the effect of giving the Constitutional:
possession of the Capital at an early day. T
main strength of the Reactionists, Zuloagstas,
Church party, as they are indifferently terme
lies in the Valley of Mexico, and, thus far, eve
attempt to defeat them in their stronghold h
proved abortive. 1t was only during the abser
of MIRAMoN, with the flower of the army, IL
DEGoLLADo ventured to march from Guadalaja
upon the Capital, and his first effort to carry
city by assault has proved unsuccessful, he wi
in all probability, raise the seige and retire, rntl
than subject himself to the risk of second def
By MmAMoN. But whether this war of factions
brought promptly TO close, or is continued
some time yet to come, there can be but one OPP
ion respecting the propriety of the course adopt
by Mr.. McLANE. His recognition of the JUAT
Government is but the too tardy correction of |
error originally committed by Mr.. Forsyth, an
though coming late, will still produce sensil
effect upon the relative positions of the contendi
parties. 1t will, moreover, tend very material
TO simplify our diplomatic relations with Mexic
and will enable not only to protect more eff
tually the interests of such of our citizens
side in that country, but will open the way
perfecting negotiations for the adequate protect
of the Tehuantepec transit route, and for adjr
ing the claims of those who have been damas
in goods or in person, during the progress of
war.
PICCOLOMINPS FAREWELL.
We are quite sure that the Concert and Opera