The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-01-04

AT the same election q new congress was cnO-
sen, whose first session commenced on the 9Th
of September, 1851 By the constitution
of 1857 the presidential term was to begin on
the 1st of December 1851 and continue for
| four years. On that day General Comfort ap-
peared before the assembled Congress in the
city of Mexico, took the oath to support the
new constitution, and was duly inaugurated as
President. Within month afterwards he
had been driven from the capital, and q mill
tary rebellion had assigned the supreme pow
er of the republic to General Zuloaga. The
colstitution provided that in the absence of
the President his Office should devolve upon
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and,
Gen. Comonfort having left the country, this
functionary, General Juarez, proceeded to form
at Guanajuato, q constitutional government.
Before this was officially known, however, at
the capital, the government of Zuloaga had
been recognised by the entire diplomatic
corps, including the minister of the United
States, as the de .fdcto government of Mexico.
The constitutional President. nevertheless,
maintained his position with frmness, and
was soon established with his cabinet at Vera
Cruz, Meanwhile the government of Zuloaga
was earnestly resisted in many parts of the
republic, and even in the capital, portion of
the army having pronounced against it, it's
functions were declared terminated, and an
assembly of citizens was invited for the choice
of new President. This assembly elected
General MramOn, but that officer repudiated
the plan under which he was chosen, and Zu-
loaga was thus restored to his previous posi-
tion, He assumed it, however, only to with
draw from it, and Miramon, having become. by
his appointment, president Substitute" con-
tinues. with that title, at the head of the in
surgent ty. H.s-s
In my last annual message communicated
to Congress the circumstances under which
the late Minister of the United States sus-
pended his official relations with the central
government, and withdrew from the country.
1t was impossible to maintain friendly inter-
course with a government, like that at the
capitol, under whose usurped authority wrongs
were constantly committed but never redress
sed. Had this been an established govern
ment; with its power extending, by the con-
sent Of the people, over the whole of Mexico.
resort to hostilities against it would have
been justifable, and indeed necessary. But
the country was q prey to civil war; and it was
hoped that the Success Of the constitutional
President might lead 20 . condition of things
less injurious to the United States. This sue
cess became so probable that, in January last,
| employed a reliable agent to visit Mexico, and
report to me the actual condition and pros
poets of the contending parties. In conse-
quence of his report, and from information
which reached ME from other sources, favora-
BILE to the prospects of the constitutional
cause, felt justified in appointing new nain-
lister to Mexico, who might embrace the ear
liest suitable opportunity of restoring our
diplomatic relations with that republic. For
this purpose distinguished citizen of Mary
land was selected, who proceeded on his mis-
sion on the Sth of March last, with discretion
ary authority to recognise the government of
| President Juarez, if on his arrival in Mexico
he should find it entitled to such recognition,
according to the established practice of the
United States. On the 7th Of April following,
Dir. McLane presented his credentials to Pres
ident Juarez, having no hesitation sin pro-
nouncing the government of Juarez to be the
only existing government Of the Republic u
He was cordially received by the authorities
at Vera Cruz and they have ever since mani
tested the most friendly disposition towards
the United States. Unhappily, however, the
constitutional government has not been able
TO establish its power over the whole republic
1t is supported by a large majority of the peo
pie AID the States, but there are important
parts of the country where it can enforce nc
obedience. General Miramon maintains him
self at the capital; and in some of the distant
provinces there are military governors who
pay little eIespect to the DEGREES of either gov
ernment. In the mean time the excesse:
which always attended upon civil war, espe
cally in Mexico, are constantly recurring
Outrages of the worst description are commit
ted upon persons and property. There il
scarcely any form of injury which has not beer
suffered by our citizens in Mexico during the
last few wears. We have been nominally a
peace with that republic, but $50 far as th'
interests of our commerce or of our citizens
yyb bo Wis bod he
shipmasters, or in other capacities, are con
cerned, we might as well have been at war.
Life has been insecure, property unprotected
and trade impossible except at a risk OF loss
which prudent men cannot be expected to in
cur. Important contracts, involving large eX
penditures, entered into by the central gov
ernment, have been set at defiance by the loca
governments. Peaceful American residents
occupying their rightful possessions, have beer
suddenly expelled from the country,in defiance
Of treatries, and by themere force of arbitrary
power. Even the course of justice has mo-
been safe from control, and recent decree o
Miramon permits the intervention of govern
ment in all suits where either party is a for
eigner. Vessels of the United States hav,
been seized without law, and consular Office
who protested against such seizure has beer
fined and imprisoned for disrespect to the au
thorities. Military contributions have beer
levied in violation of every principle of right
and the American who resisted the lawless de
mand has had his property forcibly taker
away, and has been himself banished. From
a conflict of authority in different parts of the
country, tariff duties which have been PAID il
one place have been eXacted over again in an
other place. Large numbers of our citizen;
have been arrested and imprisoned without
any form of examination or any opportunity
for q hearing, and even when released have
only obtained their liberty after much suffer
ing and injury and without any hope of re
dress. The wholesale massacre of Crabbe ant
his associates without trial in Sonora, as vel
as the seizure and murder of four sick Ameri
cans who had taken shelter in the homes of 81
American, upon the soil of the United States
was communicated to Congress at its last ses
sion. Murders Of still more atrocious char
acter have been committed in the very hear
of Mexico, under the authority of Miramon'
government, during the present year. SOM
of these were only worthy of a barbarous age
and, if they had not been clearly proven
would have seemed impossible in countr.
which claims to be civilized. OF this descrip
tion was the brutal massacre in April last, b.
, order of Gen. Marquee, of three American
physicians, who were seized in the hospital a