, 1860-02-03

ssSN6A Wv NV NtAU RAVRNAJ VI CNNly hhANNAsNu
citizen ought TO be sacredly protected in every
quarter Of the world; but It Is question which
relates to the future as well as to the present and
the past; and which involves indirectly, ct least
the whole subject Of our duty 70 Mexico as
neighb1ring Slate. The exercise Of the power
Of the United States in that country to redress
the wrongs and protect the rights Of our own
citizens, Is none the less TO bo desired because
efficient and necessary aid may thus be rendered
ct the same time to restore peace and order to
Mexico itself In the accomplishment Of this re-
suit the people Of the United States must neces-
sarily feel deep interest. Mexico ought 10 be
. rich, prosperous and powerful Republic. She
possesses an extensive territory, fertile soil and
an incalculable store Of mineral wealth. She
occupies an important position between the Gulf
and the Ocean, for transit routes and for com
meTce. Isit possible that such country as this
can be given up TO anarchy and ruin, without an
effort, from any quarter, for its rescue and its
safety? VIII the commercial nations Of the
world, which have 80 many interests connected
with II remain wholly Indifferent to such aresultf
Can the United States, especially, which ought
to share most largely In It's commercial inter-
course, allow their immediate neighbor thus to
destroy itself and injure themP Yet, without
support from some quarter, Il Is impossible 10
HStNNANO INV AANAtCO NAAA ANaAuAgl AsA Nf4aANA9u
among nations, and enter upon . career which
promises any good results. The aid which she
requires, and which the interest Of all CONNER.
eial contries require that she should have, It be-
longs to this Government 10 render, not only BY
virtue Of our neighborhoOd to Mexico. along
whose territory we have continuous frontier Of
nearly 5000 miles, but BY virtue also Of our e.
tablished policy, which Is inconsistent with the
Intervention Of any European power In the do
mcstic concerns Of that Republic.
The wrongs which We 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 isdereIict to is highest duties. The dlf
Aculty consists in selecting and enforcing the
remedy. We may In vain apply to the Ccnai-
tutional Government at Very Cruz-although Il
is well disposed to do US justice-or adequate
redress Whilst its authority Is acknowledged
In an the important ports and throughout the
sea cOasts of the Republic, It's power does not
extend to the City Of Mexico and 10 Ststes In ils
vicinity where nearly all the recentoutrages have
been committed on American citizens
We must penetrate into the interior before We
can reach the offenders I; and this can only be
done BY passing through the terrtoy In the oe-
cupation Of the Constitutional Government.
The most acceptable and least difficult mode Of
accomplishing the object, will be 70 act in con
cert with that Government. Their consent and
their aid might, believe. be obtained; but u
not, our obligation to protect our own citizens N
their just rights secured BY treaty, would not be
the less imperative. 49,.
For these reasons, recommend to Congress
TO pass q law authorizing the President, Under
such conditions as they may deem expedlent. 70
employ sufficient military force 10 enter Mexico
for the purpose Of obtaining " indemnity for the
past and security for the future" purposely
refrain from any suggestion as 70 whether this
force shall consist Of regular troops or volunteers
or both. This question may be most appropri.
ately lelt 10 the decision Of Congress- l would
merely observe that should volunteers be selected
such force could be easily Faised In this country
among those who sympathise with the suffering.
OF our unfortunate felloW-citizens in Mexico, and
with the unhappy condition Of that Republic,
Such an accession to the forces Of the Conslitu.
tional Government would enable il soon 10 reach
the city Of Mexico, and extend its power over
the whole Republic In that event, there Is no
reason to doubt that the just claims Of our citi-
xens would Be- satisiied, and adequate redress
obtained for the injuries inflicted upon them.
We have yet scarcely recovered from the
habits Of extTayagant expenditure produced BY
an oyerhowing treasury, during several years
prior to the commencement Of my Administra-
ton. The financial Foverses which We have
since experienced, ought TO teach us all 10 scru-
tinize our expenditures with the greatest vigi-
lance, and reduce them 70 the lowest possible
point. The Executive Departments Of the Gov
erument have devoted themselves to the accom-
plishment Of this object with considerable sue
cess, As win appear from their different reports
and estimates. To these invite the scrutiny Of
Congress- for the purpose Of reducing them
still lower, if this be practically consistent
with the great public interests Of the country.
In aid Of the policy Of sntrenchment, pledge
myself to examine closely the bills appropriating
land or money, 50 that II any Of these should
inadvertently pass both Houses, as must some
times be the case, may afford them the oPpOr-
tunity for reconsideration. At the same time,
we ought never to forget that true public economy
consists In not withholding the means necessary
to accomplish important national objects, eonfd-
ed to us BY the Constitution, but In taking care
that the money appropriated for these purposes
shall be faithfully and frugally expended.
Il will appear from the report from the Secre.
tary Of the Treasury that Is extremely doubtful,
TO say the least whether we shall be able 70
pass through the present and the next fiscal year
without providing additional revenue This can
only be accomplished by strictly conRning the
appropriations within the estimates Of the
different Departments, without making an allow
ance for any additional expenditures Of which
Congress may think proper 10 their discretion 70
authorize, without providing for the redemption
Of any portion Of twenty million dollars Of Trea-
sury notes which have been already issued, In
the event Of . deficiency, which l consider prob
able. This ought never be supplied BY resort
10 additional loans Il would be ruinous prae-
tice, In the days Of peace and prosperity, 70 60
on increasing the national debt 10 meet the ordi
nary expenses Of Government This policy would
cripple our resources, and impair our credit In
case the existence Of war should render Il neces-
SaFy 10 borrow money. Should such deficiency
occur, a. apprehended, would recommend that
the necessary revenue bo raised BY an increase Of
the present duties on impOrtA Ineed not repeat