The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-01-06
suffer them, 1 feel bound to announce this con-

The case presented, however, is not merely /
case OF individual claims, although our jus.
Claims against Mexico have reached a very
large amount, nor is it merely the case OF pro-
lrction to the lives and property of the few A.
merlcans who may still remain in Mexico, al
thongh the life and property Of every Ameri-
can citizen ought TO be sacredly protected in ev-
cry quarter of the world, but it is a question
which relates to the future, as we'll as to the
present and the rast, and which involves, in
eHecl!y al least the whole subject of our duty
TO Mexico as a neighboring State. The exer-
else 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 10 be
desired, because efficient and necessary aid NAV
thus oe rendered at the same time to restore
peaCt and order to Mexico itself. In the ac-
complishment oil this result, the people OF the
United states InCSt necessarily feel a deep and
earnest interest. Mexico ought to be'a rich, and
prosperous and powerful republic. She posses
ses an extensive territory, fertile soil, and an
lncalcu!abe store of mIneral wealth. She oc-
cupieS an important position between the gulf
and the ocean, Tor transit and for commerce.
Is It possible that such a country as this can be
gwen up TO anarchy and ruin, without an effort
| from any quarter for IFS safety. Wall the com
meEcial nations of the world, which have so
! many interests connected with II, remain who'll
| ly indifferent to such a result. Can the Uni
! ted States especially, which u.ht to share most
! largely in It's commercial intercourse, allow
/ their immediate neigh5or thus to destroy itself
! and inure tthem2 Yet without support from
/ some quarter it impossible TO perceive how
Mexico can resume her position among nations
and enter upon career which promises anv
good results The aid which she requires. and
which the interests Of all commercial countries
require that she ,should have, it belongs TO this
/ government to render, Eot only by virtue of
our neighborhood to Mexico, along whose ter
! ritory We have continuous frontier Of nearly
/ thousand miles, but by virtue, also, OF our es-
! .a3lshed policy, which is Inconsistent wrth the
! intervention OF any European power in the DO
nestle concerns OF that republic.
I The wToRgs which we have suffered from
! Mexico are bzt1re the world, and must
deeply impress every American citizen. A
/ government which is either unable or unwil-
| ling to redress such wrongs, is d4reIict TO lis
highest duties. The difficulty consists in s-lsc-
! ting and enforcing the remedy. We may in
VAIN apply to the constitutional government at
Vera Cruz, although it IS well disposed to do Us
justice, for adequate redress. Whilst its author
/ lily IS acknowledged in all the important ports
/ and throughout the seacoasts OF the Republic,
lis power does not extend to the City of Mexico
! and the States in its vicinity, where nearly ali
the recent ourages have been committed, on
! American citizens. We must penetrate into
the interior before we can reach the offenders,
and this can only b. done by passing through
| TIE territory in the occupation of the consilu-
tlunai government, the most acceptable and
least difficult mode of ACCOMPLISHING the object.
Will BE- TO act IN concert with that government.
Their consent and their aid might, believe, be
obtained; but # not, our obligation to protect
our own citizens in their Just rights secured by
treaty, would 10, be the less Imperative For
these reasons, | recommend to Congress 20 pass
law, authorizing the President, under such
conditions as they may deem expedieat. 10 en-
ploy sufficient military force to enter Mexico
Tor the purpose Of obtaining indemnity for the
, past, and security for the future. | p1rposey
} refrain from any suggestion as TO whether this
force shall consist o. regular troops or volunteers,
or both. This question may be most appropr-
! ately left to the decision OF Congress | would
!, merely observe, that should volunteers be se-
lected, such force could be easily raised in this
S country, among those who sympathise with the
3. Snherngs OF our unfortunate fellow Citizens in
e Mexico, and with the unhappy condition Of that
= Repuollc Such an accession 10 the forces OF
], the constitutional government would enable 1t
e soon to reach the City Of Mexico, and extend
d It's power over the Wnole Republic. In that q
& vent, there is no reason to doubt tha, the lust
e claims of our citizens would be satisfied, aad
II adequate redress obtained for the injuries inflc-
: ted upon them. The conSilu-IoaaI govern
e ment have ever evinced strong desire 10 da
/ justice, and this might be secured in advance
5, by preliminary treaty.
= Il may be said that these measures will, al
'S least indirectly, be inconsistent with our wise
., and settled policy not to interfere in the domes
! TIC concerns Of foreign nations but does not the
J, present case fairly constitute an exception? An
l. aaoIalag republic is in a state of anarchy anc
t. confusion, from which she has proved wholly
: unable to eXtrIcae herself; she is entirely des
: uute Of the power to maintain peace upon hel
/ borders or to prevent the iacursI0ns Of 5aadit
: INTO our territory. In her fate, her fortune
IS and her power TO establish and maintain a set.
J tied government, We have far deeper interest
'e socially, commercially, and politically. than
d other nations. She is now a wreck upon ,hC
d ocean, drifting about as she is impeiled BY
a different factions. As good neighbor, shall
we not extend to her helping hand to save
n her? II We do not it would not be surprising
: should some other nation undertake the task
h and thus force US to interfere at last under Cur
n cumsiances of increased difficulty for the main
:, t1nance OF our established policy.
n repeat the recommendation contained in
IT my last annual message, that authority may BE-
u given to the President TO establish one or more
d temporary military posts across ;be Mexican
II hne in Sonora and Chihnahua. where these
!, NAV be necessary To rrntact the iluea mi r,n