The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-06

NNAu4A uilh plOo fNNtS VI WV NS'ANN''N
ing parties. In consequence of his report,
and from information which reached me from
other sources, favorable TO the prospects OF
the constitutional cause, felt justified in ap-
| pointing new minister 10 Mexico, who
| might embrace tie earliest suitable opportu-
/ nifty of restoring our diplomatic relations with
that republic. Por This purpose distin-
! guishcd citizen Of Maryland was selected,
who proceeded on his mission on the Sth oil
! March last, with discretionary authority TO
recognize the government of President Jua-
req, If on his arrival in Mexico he should find
| il entitled to such recognition, according to
| the established practice OF the United States.
On the 7th OF April following, Mr.. Mel'ane
! presented his credentials TO President Juarez,
] having no hesitation in "pronouneinS the
government of Juarez to be the only existing
government of the republic" He was cor
] daily received by the authorities at Vera
! Cruz, and they have ever since manifested
the most friendly disposition towards the
! United States. Unhapply, however, tho
constitutional government has not been able
: 20 establish its power over the whole repuo-
! lie. IL is supported by large majority oil
! the people and tile States, but there arc I'M
ror,ant parts of the country where II can en-
force no obedience. General Miramcn main
isins himself at the capital and in some oil
the distant provinces there are military gov
ernors who pay little respect to the DEGREES
OF either government. In the mean time the
excuses which always attend upon civil war;
especially in Mexico, are constantly recurring
Ou,rages OF the worst description are COM
mittsd upon both persons and property
There is scarcely any form OF injury which
has not been suffered by our citizens in Mex
leo during the las, few years. We have been
nominully at peace with that republic, but
ESQ far as the interests of our commerce or OF
our citizens who have visited the country rs
merchants, shipmaslers, or in other capacities,
arc concerned, we might rs well have been at
war" Life has been insecure, property un-
protected, and trade impossible, except at
risk Of loss which prudent men cannot be ex-
pccted 20 incur. Important contracts, IN
volving large expenditures, entered into oy
the central government, have been set at de.
faneo by the local governments. Peaceful
American residents, occupying their rightlnl
possessions have been suddenly expelled the
country, in defiance of treaties, and by the
nero force Of arbitrary power. Even the
course Of justice has not been safe from con-
troll, and recent decree of Miramon per-
mits the Intervention OF government IN all
suits where either party is II foreigner. Nes-
sells OF tho United States have been seized
without law, aud consular officer who pro-
tested against such seizure has been fined and
Imprisoned for disTespCct to the authorities.
Military contributions have been levied IN
violation OF every principle Of right, and the
American who resisted the lawless demand
has had his property forcibly taken away, and
has been himself banished. From n conflict
"a 4. -s,ft h,a fRN-
tariff duties which have been paid in one
place have been exacteG over again in another
place. Large numbers Of our citizens have been
arrested and imprisoned without any form OF
examination or any opportunity Tor hearing,
and even when released, have only obtained
their liberty after much suffering and injury,
and without any hope Of redress. The whole
sale massacre OF Crabbe and his associates
without tiial in Soporo, as well as the seizure
and murder OF four sick Americans, who had
taken shelter in the house OF an American,
upon the soil OF the United States, was COM
munica,ed TO Congress at its last session.
Murders Of still more atrocious character
have been committed in the very heart OF
Mexico. under the authority of Miramon's
government during the present year. Some
OF these-woTc only worthy OF a barbarous
aye Ntlu " lltN INu not DtNA NAtdlAN IioNSh'
would have seemed impossible in q country
which claims to DO civilized. OF this de-
scription was the brutal massacre in April
last, by order of General Marquee, of three
American physicians, who were seized in the
hospital at Tacubaya, while attending upon
the sick and dying OF both parties, and with
out trial, as without crime, were hurried
away co speedy execution. Little less shock
ing was tho recent fute of Ormand Chase,
who was shot in Topic on the 9Th OF August,
by order OF the same Mexican General, not
only without trial, but without any conjec-
turc by his friends of the cause Of his arrest.
He is represented as young man of good
character, aud intelligence, who has made nu-
mcrous friends in Topic by the courage and
humanity which he had displayed on several
trying occasions, and his deaf was rs uneN-
rected as il was shocking 10 the whole COM
muuity. Other outruGes might be cnumera-
ted, but these are sufficient to Illustrate the
wretched condition OF the country, and the
unprotected condition of the persons aud
property ct our citizens in Mexico.
In all these cases our ministers have been
constant and faithful in their demands for re-
dress, but both they and this government,
which they have successfully represented, have
been wholly powcrleSs to make their demands
elective. Their testimony in this respect, and
in reference to the only remedy which, III their
judgments, would meet the cSigcncy, has been
both uniform and emphatic. Nothing but n
manifestation of the power of the Government
OF the United States (wrote our late minister
in 1859 and OF its purpose to punish these
wrongs will avail. assure you that the uni
yersal belief here is that there is nothing to be
apprehcndcd from the Government of the Uni
ted States, and that local Mexican officials can
commit these Outrages upon American citizens
with absolute impunity." IL hope the Presi-
dent" (wrote our present minister in August
hstl twill feel authorized to ask from Con-
grcss the power TO enter Mexico with the milf
tary forces OF the United States, at the call of
the constitutional authorities, in order to pro-
tect the citizens and the treaty rights of the
United States. Unless such power is conierr-
cd uron him, neither the one nor the other will
be respected in the existing state of anarchy
aud disorder, and the outrages already perpe-
tratcd will never be chastised; and, as assured
YOU i'm my No. -, all these evils must increase
until every yestigc OF order and government
disappears from the country" lhaye been re-
luctantly led TO the same opinion, and, in JUS
ticc 10 my countrymen who have suffered wrongs
from Mexico, and who may still suffer them,
| icel bound 10 announce this conclusion to
Congress.
Tie ease presented, however, Is not merely a
ease of individual claims, although our just
claims against Mexico have reached very
large amount. Nor is II merely the case oil
protection to the lives and property OF the lew
Americans who may still remain in Mexico, al
though the life aud property of every Ameri-
can citizen ought to be sacredly protected in
every quarter OF the world. But il is ques-
ton which relates TO the future as well asto the
present and the past, and which involves, indi-
rectly az least, the whole subject of our duty to
Mexico as neighboring State. The exercise
of the power of the United States in that coun'
try 20 redress the wrongs and protect the rights
az mar own citizens Il nome the less 10 be desired