The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-12-12

that nothing but a manifestation of the power
of the government, and of it's purpose to pun
ish these wrongs, will avail.
Afterwards, in 1857, came the adoption of
a new constitution for Mexico, the election of
4 President and Congress underits provisions,
and the Inauguration of the President. With
in one short month, however, this President
was expelled from the capital by a rebellion in
the army: and the supreme rower of the re-
public was assigned to General Zuloaga. This
usurper was in his turn compelled to retire
and give place to General Miraraon.
Under the constitution which had thus been
adopted, Senior Juarez, as Chief j Justice of the
Supreme Court, became the lawful President
of the republic, and it was for the maintenance
of the constitution and his authority derived
from 1t that the civil war commenced and
still continues to be prosecuted.
Throughout the year 1858 the constitution
al party grew stronger and stronger. In the
previous history of Mexico, a successful mill
tary revolution at the capital had almost uni
versally been the signal for submission through
out the republic. Not SO on the present occa-
sion. A majority of the citizens persistently
sustained the constitutional government
When this was recognized in April, 1859, by
the government of the United States, its an
thority extended ever a large majority of the
Mexican States and people, including Vera
tPr"~-aad au-the other important seaports- OF
the republic. From thatperiod our
| with Mexico began. to revive, and the consti-
~tutional government has afforded it all the
protection in their power.
Meanwhile the government of Miramon
still held sway at the capital and over the sur
rounding country; and continued its outrages
against the few American citizens who still
had the courage to remain within its power
To cap the climax: After the battle of Taca.
baya, in April, 1859, Gen. Marquee ordered
three citizens of the United States, two of
them physicians, to be seized in the hospital
at that place, taken out and shot, without
crime and without trial. This was done not
wi~thstandiDg our unfortunate countrymen
were at the moment engaged in the holy cause
of affording relief to the soldiers Of both the
parties who had been wounded in the battle,
without making any distinction between them.
The time had arrived, in my opinion, when
this government was bound to exert its power
to avenge and redress the wrongs.of our citi-
zens and to afford them protection i'll Mexico.
The interpreting obstacle was that the portion
of the country under the away of Miramon
could not be reached without passing over ter
ritory usder the jurisdiction Of the c~onstitu-
tional government. Under these circum-
stances, | deemed it my duty to recommend to
Congress, in my last annual Message, the
employment of a sufficient military force to
penetrate into The interior, where the govern
ment of Miramon was to be found, with, or, if
need be, without the consent of the Juarez
government, though it was not doubted that
this conscut could be Obtained Never have
[ had a clearer conviction on any subject than
that of the justice as well as wisdom of such a
policy. No other alternative was left, except
the entire abandonment of our citizens who
had gone to Mexico, under the faith of trea-
A. l. A. ..k. 4--ol.- II
oppression of Miranron's government. Be-
sides, it is almost certain that the sim pie au-
thority to employ this force would of itself
have accomplished all our objects without stri-
king a single blow. The constitutional goz-
eminent would then ere this have been estab-
lished at the city of Mexico, and would have
been ready and willing, to the extent of its
ability, to do us justice.
In addition-and l deem this q most idnpor-
tant Observation-Disclosures governments
would have been deprived of all pretext to
interfere in the territorial and domestic con-
Germs of Mexico. We should thus have been
relieved from the obligation of resisting. even
by force, should it become necessary, any at
tempt by these governments to deprive our
neighboring republic of portions of her terri
tory; a duty from which we could rot shrink
without abandoning the traditional and estab-
lishcd policy of the American people. / am
happy to observe that, relying upon the justice
and good faith of these governments, there is
go present danger that such a contingency will
happen.
Having discovered that my recomanenda-
tons would not be sustained by Congress, the
next alternative was to accomplish, in some
degree, if possible the same objects by treaty
stipulations with the constitutional govern
ment. Such treaties were accordingly con-
ol,1o1 - o-, La .lIo o-l o-ool1a-& H.
TO Mexico, and on the 4th of january last we're
submitted to the Senate for ratification As
these have not yet received the final action of
that body, it would be improper for me to pre-
sent a detailed statement of their provisions
Still 1 may be permitted to express the opin-
ion IN advance that they are calculated to
promote the agricultural, manufacturing and
commercial interests of the country, and to Sc
cure our just influence with an adjoining re-
public as to whose fortunes and fate we can
never feel Indifferent; whilst at the same time
they provide for the payment of a consldera-
bic amount towards the satisfaction of the
claims of our n jured fellow-citizeRs
KANSAS AND UTAH. |
At the period Of my Inauguration 1 was
confronted in Kansas by a revolutionary gov
eminent, existing under what is called the |
constitution. lis axowed object was
to subdue the territorial government by force, |
and to ~inaugurate what was called the Topeka
governments In its stead. To accomplish this
an extensive military organization was
and its command entrusted to the
violent revolutionary leaders. Under
these circumstances, 1t became my mperatire
duty to exert the whole consti' utional power
of the Executive to prevent the flames of civil
war from again raging IN Kansas, which, in
the excited State of the public mind both
and South, might have extended into
the neighboring States.
The hostile parties Of Kansas had been in
against each other by cmissaries both
from the North and the South to a degree Of
.aiignity without parallel in our history. To
prevent actual collision, and to assist the mag
istrate IN enforcing the laws, a strong detach-
ment ofthe army was stationed in the Terri
tory, ready to aid the marshal aid his deputies
when lawfully c:lled upon, as a posse conaitatus
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