Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-06

was as unexpected as II vas shocking to
the whole community. Other outrages
might be enumerated. but these are suf-
fcien; to illustrate the wretched coadi-
ton Of the country and the unprotected
condition Of the persons and property Of
cur citizens in Mexico.
In all these cases our ministers have
been constant and faithful in their de-
mands for redress, but both they and this
government, which they have successive
" represented, have been wholly power
less to make their demands effective
Their testimony in this respect, and in
reference to the only remedy which, in
their judgments, would meet the ezigen-
CIV, has been both uniform and emphatic.
Nothing but a manifestation Of the
power of the government of the United
States Wrote our late minister in 1866,
and of its purpose to punish these wrongs
will avail. ! assure you that the univer-
sal belief here is, that there is nothing 10
be apprehended from the government Of
the United States. and that local Mexican
officials can commit these outrages upon
American citizens With absolute impuni-
ty.' hope the President (wrote our
present Minister in August last will
feel authorized TO ask from Congress the
power to enter Mexico with the military
forces Of the United States, at the call Of
the constitutional authorities, in order 10
protect the citizens aud the treaty rights
OF the United States. Until such power
is conferred upon him, neither the one
nor the other will be respected in the
existing state Of anarchy and disorder,
and the outrages already perpetrated will
never be chastised; and, as I assured
you in nv No. %, all these evils must
increase until every vestige of order and
government disap ears from the country.
I have been reluctantly led TO the same
opinion, and, in justice to my countrymen
who have suffered wrongs from Mexico,
and who may still suffer them, I feel
bound to announce this conclusion to
Congress.
The case presented, however, IS not
merely case of individual claims, al
though our just claims against Mexico
haze reached very large amount. Nor
/ is it merely the case of protection to the
lives and property of the few American
who may still remain in Mexico, although
the life and property Of every American
citizen ought to be sacredly protected in
every quarter of the world. But it is 9
question which relates to the future as
well as to the present and the past, anC
which involves, indirectly at least, the
! whole subject of our duty to Mexico as q
neighboring State. The exercise Of the
powered the United States in that country
to redress the wrongs and protect the
rights Of our own citizens Is none the les,
to be desired, because efficient and nee.
essary aid may thus be rendered at the
same time to restore peace and order tc
Mexico itself. IL the accomplishment
Of this result the people of the United
States must necessarily feel deep anC
earnest interest. Mexico ought to be Z
rich and prosperous and powerful repub
lie. 1t possesses an extensive territory
a fertile soil, and an incalculable store 0
mineral wealth. She occupies an i'm
por.ant position between the Gulf an,
the ocean for transit routes and for com
merce.
l. possible that such country as thi
can be given up to anarchy and ruin with
out an effort from any quarter for it
rescue and its safety VIII the com
merciaI nations Of the world, which hav
so many interests connected with it, re
main wholly Indifferent to such a result
Can the United States, especially, whic
ought to share most largely in its con
, mercial intercourse, allow their immediat
, neighbor thus to destroy itself and injur
/ them? Yet, without support from som
r quarter, it is impossible to perceive no,
t Mexico can resume her position anon
e nations and enter upon a career whic
S promises any good results. The al
e which she requires, and which the intel
= ests Of all commercial countries requir
e that she should have, 1t belongs to th
e government to render, not only by virtu
D of our neighborhood to Mexico, alon
f whose territory We have a continuou
D frontier Of nearly thousand miles, bl
}. by virtue, also, Of our established polio,
: which is inconsistent with the interver
ton of any European Power in the de-
a nestle concerns Of that republic.
3 The wrongs which We have suffere
: from Mexico are before the world. an
e must deeply impress every America
citizan A -nEarnrnent ,..Li.h /. III.