Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-12-31

received hy The authorities at Vera Cruz and they
Save ever since manifested the mostly friendly dis
position toSs ard the Jnited States
UnhapplT- however, the constitutional govefR. +
neft has not been able % establish It's power over
the whole Republic. i IS supported BY large
o. the people and the St2tes but there
parts Of the country where it can en-
force no 0bcdi snce. General MIranon msiniainS
lisnsef at the capital aud IN some OF the distant
provinces there are military governors who pay
litte respect for the DEGREES OF either govegnnent
IN the meantime the exc sses which always attend
upon civil wrr especially in Mexico, arc constantly
recurring Outrsges OF the worst description are
committed both upon persons and property. There
is scarcely any form Of injury which has not been
suffered BY ear citizens in Mexico during the last
few wears We have been nominally atpeaee with
that Republic but 50 far as the interests OF cur
commerce or of our citizens who have visited the
country as merchants, shipmasters. in other ca
paeities are concerned, we might as well have been
at war; Life has been insecure, property unpfo-
tectcd and trade impossible, except at risk OF
loss which prudent men cannot be expected to
incuG
important contracts. involving large expendi
lures entered into by the central government have
been set at defiance by the local governments
Peaceful American residents. occupying their right
full possessions have been suddenly expelled by the
country in defiance of treaties, and by the mere
force of arbitrary power Even the course of jus
tice has not been safe from control. and a recent
decree of MiramOn permits the Intervention of gov
ernment in all suits where either party is foreign
en- Vessels of the United STATES have been seized
without iaw and a consular officer who protested
AGAINST such seizure has been fined and imprisoned
for disrespect to the authorities. Military eOntrl-
buttons have been levied II violation of every prin
ciple of right anil the American who resisted the
lawless demand has had his property foreiLly tax
en- away and has been himself banished. From
conflict of authority in different parts of the
try tariff duties which have been paid in place
have been eXacted over again IN another place
Large numbers of our citizens have besn arrested
and imprisoned without any form OF examination
or anV opportunity for hearing, and even when
released have only obtained their liberty after much
suffering and injury, and without any hope of re-
dress.
The wholesale massacre of Crabbe and his asso-
ciates without trial. in Sonora, weas the seizuG
and murder of four sick Amer leans, who had taken
sheterin the house ofan American, upon the soil Of
the United States. communicated to Congress at
its last session. Murders of still more atrocious
character have been committed in the very hear of
Mexico under the authority of Miramons Govern
mant during the present year. Some of these were
only worthy IF a barbarous age, and, if they had
not taen clearly proven, would have seemed impos
sible Ia country which claims to be civilized. OF
this description was the brutal massacre in April
last by order of General Marquee, of three Ameri-
can physicians who were seized in the hospital at
TacuLaya while attending upon the sick and dying
of both parties and without trial without crime
were hurried away TO speedy execution Little less
shocking was the recent fate Of CPnond Chase, who
was shot at Topic on the 9TH Of August, by order
of the same Mexican General, not only without a
trial but without any conjecture by his friends of
the cause of his arrest He is represented young
man of good character and intelligence, who had
made numerous friends in Topic by the courage and
humanity which he had displayed on several trying
occasions and his death unexpected as it was
shocking to the whole community. Other outrages
might be enumerated; but these sufficient to IL
ustrate the wretched state of the country and the
unprotected condition of the persons and property
of our citizens in Mexico
In all these cases our Ministers have been con-
slant and faithful in their demands for redress, but
both they and this Government, which they have
successfully represented, have been wholly power
less to make their demands effective. Their testl-
mony in this respect, and IN reference to the only
| remedy which, in their judgments would meet the
! exigency, has been both uniform and emphatic
| Nothing but a manifestation of the power of the
| Government of the United States (wrotc our late
Minister in 1860 and of its purpose TO punish these
wrongs, will avail. | assure you that the universal
| belief here is. that there is nothing 10 be appre
| hended from the Government of the United States
and that local Mexican officials can commit these
| outrages upon American citizens with ABSOLUTE I'M
| purity Hope the President (wrote our present
Minister in August last Twill feel authorized tC
| ask from Congress the power to enter Mexico witt
the military forces of the United States, at the cal
of the constitutional authorities, in order TO protec
the citizens and the treaty rights of the United
| States. Unless such power Is cont, FRED upof
him. neither the one the other will be respected
in the existing state of anarchy and disorder anc
| the outrages already perpetrated will never bI
| chastlsed; and, as | assured you in my No. %, al
these evils must increase until every Yestiye of
der and government disappears from the country.
have been reluctantly led to the same opinion, and
| in Justice to my cOuntrymen who have suferei
wrongs from Mexico, and who may still suffer them
| | feel bound to announce this conclusion 10 Con
| gress.
The case presented, however. is not merely cas-
| of individual claims, although just claim
| against Mexico have reached very large amount
Nor is it merely the case OF protection TO the hive
and property CT the few Americans who may stll
remain in Mexico although the life and property o
every American citizen ought TO be sacredly pre-
tecled in every quarter Of the world. But 1t Is
question which relates TO the future as we'll as Il
the present and past, aud which involves, indirectly
at least, the whole sdbect OF our duty to Mexico
a neighboring State. The exercise OF the power o
the United States in that country, TO redress tn
wrongs aud protect the rights Of our own citizens
is the less to be desired, because eihcent an
NECESSARY aid rlap-tlAsls, be rendered at the sam
time to restore peace and order to Mexico ITSELF
the accomplishment of this result the people of tn
United States must necessarily feel deep and ear
nest interest Mexico ought to be a rich and pros
porous and powerful Republic
She possesses an extensive territory, fertile sol
and an incalcuable store OF mineral wealth. Sh
occupies an important position between the Gu
and the ocean for transit routes, and for commerce
Is it possible that such country as this can be CIV
en- up to anarchy and ruin without an effort froI
any quarter for its rescue and ats safety! VIII tn
| commercial nations of the world. which have ;
many interests connected with it, remain wholly l,
different TO such a result Can the United state
especially. which ought to share most largely IN II
commercial intercourse, allow their lnmedlal
neighbOr thus to destroy itself and injure then
Yet without support from some quarter, 1t is IN
possible TO perceive how Mexico can resume her p'
stion among nations, and enter upon career whc
promises any good results. The aid which she II
quires, and WHICH, the interests OF all commercli
countries require that she should nave, 1t belongs
this Government to render not only by virtue OF on
neighbOrhood to Mexico along whose territory W
have a continuous frontier of nearly thousan
miles, but by virtue also, Of our established polc.
which is inconsistent with the intervention OF an
European Power in the domestic concerns of thu
republic.
The wrongs which we have suffered from Mexc
are before the world and must deeply impress ever
American citizen. government which is elthe
unwilling or unable to redress such wrongs IS der
let to its highest duties. The difficulty consists
selecting and enforcing the remedy. We may
vain apply to the constitutional government at eT
Cruz although it is well disposed to do justice &c
inadequate redress. Whilst its authority IS acknow
edged in all the important ports, and throughout I'll
sea-coasts of the Republic, its power does not e.
tend to the city of Mexico and the States IN its
cinity, where nearly all the recent outrages haH
| been committed on American citizens we mu
penetrate into the interior before reach Il
offenders, and this only be done by passin
through the territory in the occupation of the COZ
stitutonal government
The most acceptable and least difficult mode
accomplishing the object will be TO act in conce
with that government. Their consent and their al
might believe lie obtained; but if not our obi
CATION to protect own citizens in their Ju
rights secured by treaty, would not be the less in
! | peratve. For these reasons L recommend to Cor
gress to pass law authorizing the President, undo
such conditions as they may deem expedient, to en-
poy sufficient military force to enter Mexico fC
the purpose of obtaining indemnity for the past an
security for the future | purposely refrain frol
any suggestion as to whether this force shall corsl
. of regular troops or volunteers, or both.
This question may be most appropriately left
the decision of Congress. IwOuld merely Observ
that should volunteers be selected, such fore
could be easily raised in this country among thos
who sympathize with the sufferings of our untortt
nate fclOw-cItizens in Mexico, and with the unhal
= py condition of that republic. Such an accession
the forces of the constitutional government woul
enable it to reach the city OF Mexico and exten
| its power over the wholerepublic In that ever
there is no reason to doubt that the just claims
our citizens would be satisfied and adequate redreS
| obtained for the injuries inflicted upon them. TIL
constitutional government have ever evinceda stron
desire to do justice, and this might BE- secured
advance by preliminary treaty.
Itmay be said that these measures will. at leas
indirectly, be inconsistent with our wise and settle