The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-01-06


law authorizing the President, under
such conditions rs they may deem cxpe-
dent, to employ sufficient military force
10 enter Mexico for the purpose of obtain.
irg indemnity for the past and security
for the future. purposely refrain from
suggesting as to whether this force shall
consist of regular troops or volunteers, or
both. This question may be most appro-
priately left 10 the decision Of Congress.
| would merely observe that should vol
ul c"rs he selected, such force could be
easily raised in this country, among those
who sympatliso with the sufferings Of
our unfortunate fellow .cidzens in Mexico.
Such on accession 10 the forces of TIE
Constitutional Government would enable
it soon 10 reach the City Of Mexico and
extend its power over the whole republic,
ln that event, there is no reason to doubt
that the just claims OF our citizens would
be satisfied aud adequate redress obtained
for the injuries inflicted lpon them. The
Consti utionaI Government have ever
evinced strong desire to do us justice,
and this might be secured in advance by
"a preliminary treaty.
1t may be said that these measures will,
ut least indirectly, be inconsistent with
our wise and settled policy not 10 inter
lerc in the domestic concerns Of foreign
nations. But does not the present case
fairly constitute an exception ? An adjoin
iug republic is ia a state Cf anarchy and
confusion from which she has proved
wholly unable to extricate herself. She
: is entirely destitute of the power to main.
tain peace upon her borders, or to pre-
y-Ht NJ incursions Of Landitti into our
territory. Ia her fate and her fortune -
in her power to csIay,iSh and maintain a
settled govcrnmcut-we have far deep
or interest, socially, commercially and
politically, than any other nation. She is
now a wreck upon the ocean, drifting
about as she is impclled by different fac
tons As u good neiglhor, shall we not
extend 10 her a helping hand to save her?
II we do moi, it would not be surprising
should some other nation undertake the
task, and thus force us to interfere at last
under circumstances ofincreased difficulty,
for the maintenance of our established
policy.
repeat Tie accommodation contained
in my last annual message that authority
may be given 10 the presidcn! to establish
one or more temporary posts across tie
Mexican line in sonora and Chihuahua,
where these may be necessary TO protect
the lives and property of American and
Mexican citizens against the incursiOns
ard deprcdations Of the Indians, as wei
as of the lawless rovers in that remote
region. The establishment of one such
post at a point called Arispe, in Sonora
in country now almost dcpopuated by
tho hostIe inroads Of the Indians from
our side of the line, would, it is believed
have prevented much injury and many
cruetles during the past season. A state
Of lawlessncss aud violence prevails or
that distant frontier. Life and property
are there wholly insecure. The popula
/ lion Of Arizona, nov numbering more
than ten thousand souls, arc practically
destitute of government, of laws, or Of any
regular administration of justice. Murder
rapine and other crimes are committed
with impunily. I, therefore, again cal
the attention OF Congress TO .he necessity
for establishing a territorial goyernmen
over Arizona.
NICARAGUA, COSTA RIGA, &c.
The irenty With Nicaragua or the l6tf
February, 1857. 10 which referred il
my last annual message, failed to receive
the ratification Of the Government of tha
Republic, for reasons which | need no
enumcrate, A similar treaty has beer
since concluded between the parties bear
ing date on the 1G,h March 1889, which
has already been ratified by the Nicaragua
Congress. This will be Immediately Y sub
mtted to the Senate for their ratification
It's provisions cannot, think, fail TO be
acceptable 10 the people Of both Countries
Our claims against the Governments o
COSTA Rica and Nicaragua remain un
redressod, though they are pressed in al
earnest manner, and not without hope o
success.
| deem it to be my duty once NOR,
earnestly to recommend Congress III,
passage Of law authorizing The Presi
dent 10 employ tho naval force at hi
command for the purpose Of protecting
the lives and property OF American citizens
! passing in transit across the Panama
| Nicara" uaand Tehauntepec routes, ,agains
sudden and lawless outbreaks and depre
dations. shall not repeat the arguments
employed in former messages in supper
of this measure. Suffice It 10 say that th'
lives Of many of our people, and the Sc
curity of vast amounts Of treasure passin!
and repassing over one or more OF thes
routes between the Atlantic and Pacific
may be deeply involved in the action o
Congress on this subject.
PROTECTION TO AMERICAN VESSELS.
l would, also again recommend to Con
: grcss that authority be given to tho Presi
dent to employ the nava! force to proteC
: American merchant vessels, their crows an
- cnrg0cs, against violent and unlawful se2ur
= and consca,on in tho ports of Mexico an
: tho spanish American States when thos
. countries may bo in disturbed and revOiu
tionary condition. Tho mere knowlodg
:. that such an authority had been conforro'
y, as have already stated, would, OF itself
:, q great degroo, prevent tho owl. NelthC
would this require any additional appropr
alton for the naval service.
! Tho chief objection urged against Il
u =, grant of this authority is, that Congros2.
u comforting It, would violate tho Constitute
J. that il would be a transfer of tho wa
l. making, or, strictly speaking, the wa