Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-03
\ GENERAL ADVERTISER.

committed on American citizens. We must
penetrate into the interior before we can reach
the offenders, and this can only be done by pass
ing through the territory in the occupation O
the constitutional government. The most &C
ceptable and least difficult mode of accomplish
ing the object will be to act in concert with tha
! government. Their consent and their aid might
believe, be obtained; but if not, our obliga
tlon to protect our own citizens in their jus
rights, secured by treaty, would not be the less
Imperative. For these reasons, recommend tc
Congress to pass law authorizing the Presi-
dent, under such conditions as they may deem
expedlent, to employ sufficient military force
| to enter Mexico for the purpose of obtaining in
demnity for the past and security for the future.
purposely refrain from any suggestion as to
whether this force shall consist Of regular troops
or volunteers, or both. This question may be
most appropriately left to the decision of Con-
gress. | would merely observe that, should vol
unteers be selected, such force could be easily
raised In this country among those who sympa-
thlze with the sufferings Of our unfortunate fel
low citizens in Mexico, and with the unhappy
condition of that republic. Such an accession to
the forces OF the constitutional government
would enable it soon to reach the city of Mexi
CO and extend its power over the whole repub-
lie. In that event there is no reason to doubt
that the just claims of our citizens would be
satisfied and adequate redress obtained for the
injuries inflicted upon them. The constitutional
government has ever evinced strong desire to
do us justice, and this might be secured in ad-
vance by preliminary treaty.
1t may be said that these measures will. at
least indirectly, be inconsistent with our wise
and settled policy not to interfere in the domestic
concerns of foreign nations But does not the
present case fairly constitute an exception2 An
adjoining republic is In state of anarchy and
confusion from which she has proved wholly
unable to extricate herself. She is entirely des-
titute of the power to maintain peace upon her
borders, or to prevent the incursons of banditti
into our territory. In her fate and in her for
tune-n her power to establish and maintain a.
settled government-we have far deeper in
terest, socially, commercially and politically
than any other nation. She is now wreck up
on the ocean, drifting about as she is impelled
by different factions. As good neighbor shall
we not extend to her a helping hand to save
her2 If we do not, it would not be surprising
should some other nation undertake the task,
and thus force us to interfere at last, under cir
cumstances Of increased difficulty, for the MAIN
tenance of our established policy.
/ repeat the recommendation contained in my
last annual message that authority may be given
to the President to establish one oe more tenn
porary military posts across the Mexican line in
Sonora and chihuahua, where these may be
necessary to protect the lives and property of
American and Mexican citizens against the in
cursions and depredations of the Indians, as well
as of lawless rovers in that remote region. The
establishment of one such post at point called
Arispe, in Sonora, in a country now almost de-
populated by the hostile inroads of the Indians
from our side of the line, would, it is believed,
have prevented much injury and many cruelties
during the past season. A state of lawlessness
and violence prevails on that distant frontier
Life and property are there wholly insecure
The population of Arizona, now numbering more
than ten thousand souls, are practically desti-
tute of government, of laws, or of any regular
administration of justice. Murder, rapine and
other crimes are committed with impunity. II
therefore, again call the attention of Congress to
the necessity for establishing territorial gov
ernment over Arizona.
The treaty with Nicaragua of the 10th of Feb
ruary, 1857, to which / referred in my last an
nual message, failed to receive the ratification of
the thhs government of that republic, for reasons
which / need not snumerate. A similar treaty
has been since concluded between the parties
bearing date on the 10th of March, 1859, which
has already been ratified by She Nlcaraguan
Congress. This will be Immediately submitted
visions cannot, think, fail to be acceptable to-
the people of both countries.
.4 sOar elassz.s agaiast tie egcyerraSen costa
Rica and Nicaragua remain unrgares 1h
they are pressed in an earnest nanner, an~ 1.@
without hope of success.
| deem ito be my duty once more earnestly
to recommend to Congress the passage of q law =
authorizing the President to employ the naval
force at his command for the purpose OF pro-
tecting the lives and property of American citi
zens passing in transit across the Panama, MIC
aragua, and Tehuantepec routes, against sudden
and lawless outbreaks aud depredations.
shall not repeat the arguments employed Id
former messages in support Of this measure.-l
Suffice it to say that the lives OF many OF our
people, and the security OF vast amounts OF treas
ure passing and re-passing over one or more OF
these routes between the Atlantic and Pacific
may be deeply involved in the action of Con-
gress on this subject.
would also again recommend to Congress that au-
thoriy be gwen the President to employ the naval
force to protect American merchant vessels, their
crews and cargoes against violent and awlesS seizure
and conscation in the ports of Mexico and the Span
sh American States when these countries may De dis
turbed and in a revolutionary condition. The mere
knowledge that such authority had been conferred
as have already stated would, of itself, great
degree, prevent the evil Neither would this require
any additional appropriation tor the naval service.
authority is that Congress, by conterrng It, would
violate the consttuton-tha it would be transfer
of the war-makng or, strictly speaking, the War-de
claring power to the executive. If this were well
founded, it would, of course, be conclusive very
brief examination will place this objection at rest
Congress possesses the sole and conclusive power,
under the constitution, "to declare war; They alone
can "raise and support armies and "proylde and
maintain navy" But after Congress shall have de-
clared war; and provided the force to carry 1t on,
the President as OF the Army and
Navy can alone employ this force IN making war a,
gainst the enemy. This is the plain language, ana
history proves that it was the Wellknown nenlion oi
the trainers of the Constitution.
1t will not be denied that the general power 10
declare war" is without limitation, and embraces
within itself not only what writers on the law OF ma
tions term public perfect war, but also an
feet war-and in Short every species OF hostiiity,
however confined or limited Without the author-
ity of congress the President cannot nre f
gun in any case except to repe the attacks OF an en-
emy 1t will not be doubted that under tnlS power
Congress could if they thought proper authorize he
President to employ the force at his command 10 Seize
vessel belonging to an American c.tlzen wnlch nao
been illegally and unustly captured IN Ioreign port
and restore il to its owner But can congress only
act after the fact-afer the mischief has been done
Esvestises q? confer upon the President the
atofss ID adv furnish instant reuress snoutq
S1czl aCase AItsrws9us occur? Must tney wall Until
tho nlschicfhaa been done, and can they apply inc
remedy only when it Is too late? To confer tnls au-
yaofity to meet fuGole cases under clrcumstaIeo11
strictly specified is as clearly within the war-deca
ing power as such an authority conferred upon thq
President by act of Congress alter the deed au pee
done. In the progress of great nation many eAf
gencies must arise imperativey requiring tna1 VII
gress should authorize the President TO act Pronps
certain conditions which may or may nv a' E
arise. Our history has already presented humoy
ofc IL Il II lrnfarO only 4