Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-01-06


tions as they may decln expedient, to employ a
sufficient military force to enter Mexico, for the
purpose of obtaining Indemnity for the past,
and security for the future. purpose!y re-
frain from any suggestion as to whether tbs
force shall consist Of regular troops or volun-
teers, or both. This question may be most APP
propriately left to the decision of Congress.
would merely observe, that should volunteers
be selected. such force could be easily raised
IN this country, among those who sympathize
with the sufterings Of our unfortunate fellow
citizens in Mexico, and with the unhappy con-
dition OF thai Republic. Such an accession to
the forces of the constitutional government
would enable 1t soon to rearh the City Of Mex
leo, aud extend lts powers over the whole Re-
public. In that event, there is no reason TO
doubt that the just claims OF our citizens would
be satisfied aud adequate redress obtained for
the injuries inflicted upon them. The consti-
tutional government have ever eViucei strong
desire TO dc US Justice, ard this might be secured
10 advance, by preliminary treaty.
1t may be said that these measures will, at
least Indirectly, be inconsistent with our wise
aud settled policy pot TO interfere tue do
mestie concerns OF foreign nations, bat does not
the present case fairly constitute an exceptioaa
An adjoining republic is in state OF anarchy
and confusion, from which she has proved who'll
" uuao bic to extricate herself; she Is entirely
destitute OF the power 10 maintain peace upon
her borders, or to prevent the Dcursiols Of bau-
ditti into our territory In her fate, her FOR
tune, and her power to establish and maintain
settled government, We have far deeper iu-
terest, socially, commercially, aud politically,
than any other nation. She is now a wreck
upon Inc ocean, drifting about as she Is impell-
ed By different factions. As a good neighbor,
shall We not lend 20 her helping band TO save
ber2 Ii We do not, II would not be surprising
should some other nation undertake the task,
aud thus force US to interfere al last, under cir
cumstances of increased difficulty for the mann
tenance of our established policy.
repeat tine recommendation contained in my
last annual message tha; authority may DC Civ
Ell to The President to establish one or mora
temporary military posts across the Mexican
line iu Sonora aud Chihuahua, where these may
be necessary to protect tbs lives aud property
Of American aud Mexican citizens against the
ineursions and depredations OF the Indians, as
we'll as o. iawisss rovegs in that remote region.
The establishment of one such post, at point
called Arispe, 10 Sonora, in country now al
most depopuiated by the hostile inroads OF the
Indians from our side of the line would 1t IS
belieTed, hare prevented much injury and many
crues,ies during the past season. state Of
lawlessness and violence prevails on that dis
tans frontiet. Lilo and property are there ~bol-
il INSECURE. 1Sss population Of Arizona, no"
numbering piore than ten thousand souls, afe
practically destitute o. Government, Of laws,
-
or of aDy regular admins HFation oi justice
Murder, rapine, and other eri,H'ss are comnnt-
;ea with i8punIty. silssefore .Nsain Gall the
attention of Congress to The necessity Tor es-
tablishing territorial government oyS~ Art
zona.
The treaty with Nicaragua of the 10Th Feb
ruary, 1857, 10 which | referred ia my last
annual message, failed TO receive the ratifca-
ton OF the government of that republic, for
reason which l need not euumerate. a SINH
lar treaty has been since concluded between
the parties bearing date on the 10th March,
1859, which has already been ratified by the
Nlcaraguaa Congress This will be immedi-
cation. Its provisions cannot, think, fail to
be acceptable 10 the people of both countries
Our claims against the government OF Cos
ia Rica and Nicaragua remain unredressei,
though they are pressed in al earnest manner,
and not without nope of success.
| deem it to be ny duty onee more earnestly
to Recommend to Congress lIe passage CT
law authorizing the President to employ the
naval force at his command for tie purpose OF
projecting the Lives and property of American
citizens passing in transit across the Panama.
Nicaragua and Tehsu1tepec routes. against
snddea and lawless outbreaks and dcored ttjuns.
! shall not repeat the arguments employed iu
former messages In support OF this measnre.-
Suffice it 20 say that the lives of iBany of our
people, ard the security of vast amounts of
treasure passiag and repassing over one OF
more Of these routes between the Atlantic ami
Pacific, may be deeply involved in the action
OF Congress on lbls subject.
would also again recommend to Congress
that authority be given TO the President to
employ the naval force to protect American
merchant vessels, Their crews and cargces,
agsiast violent ard lawless seizure aad confs-
cation IN the ports OF Mexico and the Spanish
american STATES, when these countries may be
in disturbed and revolutionary condition. -
The mere knowledge that such au authority
had been soufcrred, as ] have already stated,
would, Of itself, IL great degree, preven: the
evil. Neither you'd this require any addi-
tioaal appropriation for the naval SERVICE
The chief objection urged against the grant of
this authority is, that Congress, by conferriug
ii, would violate the Constitution; that it
would be transfer Of the war-making, or
strictly speaking, the war declaring power, to
the Executive. Ii this were we'll founded, it
would, OF course, be conclusive. A very
bficf examination, however, will place this OBJ
jectIon at rest. Congress possesses the sole
and exclusive power uoder toe Constitution, to
declare war. They alone can raise aad sup.
port armies. and provide and maintain navy
But after Congress shall have declared war,
aud provided the force necessary TO carry it on,
the PFesdcais - commander in chief Of the