New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-22
MEXICO.


and the leaders of the Democratic party desire to
enter upon war in Mexico, in the hope of thereby
saving themselves from defeat in the approaching
election at home, and of retaining power, which
the people Of this country are resolved shall no
longer remain in their hands. To this end, Mr..
Buchanan last year begged for millions Of dollars
and unrestricted control of the army and navy.
To this end the famous proposition of establishing
prOtectOrate, which Mexico never asked for, was
devised. With the same purpose, Mr.. McLanes
treaty was negotiated with Senior Juarez, in order
that, under it, we might have pretext for invading
and occupying that country. The same intention
is visible in the orders lately issued to disregard
the blockade of Vera Cruz about to be established
by Miramon, as part of his attempt to take tina
town from the Constitutional party, and thus bring
the long-standing civil war to period. 1t is evi
dent on all hands that, if a sufficiently plausible
prete1t can be found the President and his
advisers are resolved to make war upon Mexico,
as a means of influencing the coming elections
here.
Possibly it may be thought that this pretert can
be extracted from the recent capture by the U. s.
Squadron under Capt. Jarvis of the two armed
steamers which Miramon lately procured at
Havana. Those vessels were taken, as appears
by the official reports. of our oficer-the story Of
the Mexicsns not yet having reached us-simply
because they opened fire on the American Squad.
ron, in reply to a proper demand to know their
nationality; it being assumed that U. s.
men. fwsr have an absolute right to make and
enforce such demand upon armed Mexican YES.
sells in the waters of Mexico. This right, how
ever, we suppose cannot be maintained and by
our dispatch from New Orleans received last even.
ing, it appears, however, that the conflict is JUST
fed on our part, on the ground that Juarez had
issued proclamation declaring these vessels to DO
pirates because they belonged to the MiramOn
faction; but this certainly does not allow
us to treat them practically, unless it is our
purpose to take part in the civil war.
1t is true that cur dispatch represents the
Mexican commander, Marin, as confessing that
bis men fired against his order, and that he could
not control them and we will not question that in
response to an unprovoked and unustifable attack,
as this is alleged to have been, it was proper for
Capt Jarvis to silence and capture the attacking
vessels, as he did. This would seem to have pract-
caly ended both our quarrel with Mramon and his
blockade Of the port and to have settled these
questions with reason on our side; unless indeed,
it shall appear that the Mexicans had some provo
cation which is not revealed in the brief and
sided narrative now laid before the public So far ~
this capture is concerned, howeyer-admitting that
we had a good right to make tit mny, perhaps,
be urged that Mnamon is not sufficiently punished
by the loss of his steamers; that he has grossly
insulted the flag of the Union, and that We must
send an army into Mexico to enforce still further
PREPARATION, especially if the bombaidment of Vera
Cruz, which it seems he began on the 18th inst
should end in bis capturing the place and establish
ing his power in that important part of the Rspub-
lie. But as Congress has hitherto rejected all
the schemes aud occasions for q war against
Mexico, 80 ingeniously and persistently contriyed
by the party now about to go out Of power here,
are confident that the pretext nov sought to be
constructed will be similarly set aside.
As for the higher question Of republican sJm-
pathies, our proper course is equally clesr. Non
Intervention in the civil conflicts Of Mexico, or OF
other COUNTRIES is the only wife aud aato policy for
the Government of the United States. Or course,
cur feelings are With tho Liberal. Constitutional party
reprtsen!sd BY Juaiez ard NJ SHALL 'incafei, reoica