Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-01-04
WHOLE NO. 1857.


under the authority of 3liamcns government.
during the present year.
Some Of these were only worthy Of 8
barbaIous age, and if they had not been
clearly proven, would have seemed iinposs-
ible in a country which claims to be civil
lied. Of this description was the brutal
massacre in April last, by order Of Gen.
Marquee, of three American physicians,
who were seized in the hospital at Tacu-
baya while attending upon the sick and dy-
ing of both parties, and without trial, as
without crime, were hurried away to speedy
execution. Little less shocking was the re-
cent fate of Onnond Chase, who was shot
in Topic on the 9TH of August, BY order of
the same Mexican general, not only without
4 trial, but without any conjecture by his
friends in the cause of his arrc.t. He is
represented rs young man OF good char
acter and intelligence, who had made nu-
merous friends in Tepic by the courage and
humanity which he had displayed on seyo-
raj trying occasions, and his death was M
unexpected as it was shocking to the whole
community. Other outrageS might be en-
umerated, but these are sufficient to illus
trate the wretched condition of the country
and the unprotected condition of the per
sons and property of our citizens in Mexiec.
In all these cases our ministers have been
constant and fai hful in their demand for re-
dress. but both they and this government, which
they have successively represented, have been
wholly pOwerles5 to make their demands efec-
tive. Their testimony in this respect. and ia
reference to the only remedy which, in their
Judgements, would meet the exigency. has been
both uniform and emphatic. Nothing but .
manifestation of the power Of the Government
of the United States (wrOte our late minister in
1861 and of its purpose tn punish these wrols.a
viii avail. assure YOU thai the universal belief
here Is that there Is nothing TO be apDrebendad
fOm the Government of the United Sts;es, and
that local Mexican officials can commit these
OuirageS upon American citizens with absolute
impunity." Il hope the President''-wrote
our Minister in August last-"will feel authorize
Ell to ask for the power 70 enter Mexico with
the military forces of the United States at the
cal of the constitutional authorities, in order to
protect the citizens and the treaty rights of he
United States. Unless such power is eonf.r-
red upon him, neither the one nor the other
will be respected in the existing state of anarchy
and disorder. and the Outrages already DerDetra-
ated will never he chastised; and, l assured you
in nv No. 23 all these evils must increase un-
til every vestige of order and government dis
appears from the country" l have been re-
luctantlv led 10 the same opinion, and in Justice
to my eoun:rymen who have suffered wrOngs
from Mexico, and who nav still suffer them,
feel bound To announce this conclusion To Con.
gress.
The case presented, however. IS not merely
ease of individual claims. although our iu&
claims against Mexico have reached very large
amount. Nor il it merely the case Of protec-
tiOn to the lives and property of the lew AM
ericans who may still remain in Mexico. al
though the life and property of every Aneri-
can citizen ought to be sacredly protected in
every quarter Of the world. But it is a ques-
tiOn which relues 10 the future, wsll to the
present and the past, and which involves, in
directly ri least. Tie whole subject Of Orr duty
TO Mexico as Il Ieighboring State
The exercise of the power Of the United States
in that country 10 redress the wrongs and pp
tect the rights OF our own citizens is none the
less to be desired because efficient and necessary
aid may thus be rendered at tie same time To
restore peace and order to Mexico Itself In the
accomplishment of this result the people Of 5.o
United States must necessarily fsel 4 deep aud
earnest interest. Mexico ought To be a rich and
prosperous and powerful Republic. for il pos
Sesses extensive territory, a fertile soil and
an incalculable store of mineral wealth. She
occupies an important position between The
Gulf and the ocean for transit routes and sSr
commerce. Is it possible that such a country
as this can be given up to anarchy and ruin
without an effort from any quarter for its res
cue and its safety! VIII the commercial na-
tions Of the world. which have so many inter-
ests connected with it, remain wholly indifFer-
ent To such 4 result? Can the United States
especially, which Ought 10 share most largely
in its commercial intercourse, allow their i'm
mediate ueighbOr thus to destroy itself and
81 r
quarter, it is impossible to perceive how Ae1i-
CO can resume her position among nations and
enter upon career which promises any good
results. Theaid which she requires, and which
the interests of all commercial countries requirs
that she should have, it belungs 10 this gov
eTnment 10 render, not only by vigTce Of onr
H-ighbO-hOod 10 Mexico. along by whose :sr-
ritO-y We have continuous frontier of near
ly thousand miles. but By virtue. also, Of
our established policy. which is iHeonsiSteus
with the intervention of any European Pow
er in the domestic concerns of thai reprtlie.
The wrongs which We have suffered from
Mexico are before the world. and must deeply
impress every American citizen. A government
which Is either unable or unwilling to redress
such wrongs is derehct to its highest duties.-
The difficulty consists in selecting and enforcing
he remedy. We may in vain apply 10 the cnn-
government at Vera Cruz, although
redress. Whilst its authority is Acknowledged
in al the Important ports and throughout the
sea coats of the Republic. its power does not ex-
tend to the city of Mexico anl the States in its
where nearly all the recent Outrages
have been committed OH American citzens.-
We must penetrate into the interior before Vs
can leach the offenders. aud this can only be
done by passing through the territory in the oc-
cupatOn of the constitutional government
The most acceptable and least difficult mode Of
the object viii be to act in con-
cert with that Government. Their consent and
their aid might / believe be obtained; but If not,
our obligation to protect our own citizens in
their Just rights secured by treaty. would not
be the less Imperative. For these reasons / re-
commend to Congress 20 pass law authorizing
the President under such conditions as they
may deem expedient, to employ a sufficient mil
tary fo-ce to enter Mexico for the purpose of OBJ
tanning indemnity for the past and security for
The future. / purpOsely refrain from any sug-
gestion as to whether this forcc shall consist o.
regular troops or volunteers, or both. This
question may be most appropriately left TO the
decision of Congress. 1 would merely observe
hat should volunteers he selected. such a fIrcs
could be easily raised in this country among
hose who sympa:hiSe with the sufferings of our
unfortunate fellow citizens in Mexico, and with
he unhappy condition OF that Republic. In
hat event there IA no reason To doubt that the
ust claims OF our citizens would be satisfied,
md adequate redress obtained Er the inIurisa
Inflicted upon them The constitutional gov
have ever evinced strong desire TO do
Us justice, and this might be secured in advance
Oy preliminary treaty.
1t may be said that these measures viii. at
east indirectly. be inconsistent with our wiSe
and settled policy not TO interfere in the dones-
tic concerns of foreign nations. But does nos
the present case hiEly constitute an exceptionf
An adjoining Republic i. in state Of anarchy
and confusion from which she has proved Who'll
ly unable to extrieate herself She is entirslV
destitute of the power to maintain peace apoo
her borders, or to prevent the incursions Of ban
dittI into our territory. In her fate and in her
power to establish and maintain q settled gov.
have FAR deeper interest social
ly, than any other nation. She is now a wreck
upon the ocean, driven about as she is impellsd
by different factions. As good nsighbor shall
We not sxteud 70 her . helping hsGd 70 ArO