M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1860-01-12
;lstes, (wroto our late Minister in 1880 and

avail. ! assure you that the universal be.
lief here is, that there is nothing 10 be appre-
hended from the Government Of the United
States, and that local Mexican officials can
commit these outrsges upon American citi-
zens with absolute impunty." Il hope the
President" (wrole our Minister in August
lasO "will feel authorized 10 ask from Con-
gress the power to enter Mexico with the
military forces Of the United States, a the
call of the constitutional authorities, in OF.
der to protect the citizens and the treaty
rights of the United States. Unless such a
power is conferred upon him. neither the one
nor The Other will be respected in the exist
ing state oil anarchy and disorder, and out.
reges already perpelrated will never be chas
tised; and, as | assured you in my No. 90. all
these evils must increase until every yestige
Of orderand government disappears from the
country" have been reluctantly led TO the
same opinion, and in justice to nv country
men who have suffered wrongs from Mexico,
and who may still suffer them, feel bound
TO announce this conclusion 10 Congress.
The case presented, however, is not mere
ly a case OF individual claims, although our
just claims against Mexico have reached
very large amount. Nor is il merely the
case OF protection to the lives and property
OF the few Americans who may still remain
in Mexico, although the life and property Of
every American citizen ought 10 be sacredly
protected in every quarter of the world
But ii is question which relates to the iu.
lure as well as the present and the past, and
which devolves indirectly at least, the whole
subject OF our duty TO Mexico as neighbor.
ing State. The exercise of the power Of the
United States in that country, to redress the
wrongs and protect the rights of our own
citizens, is none the less TO be desired, be,
cause efficient and necessary aid may thus
be rendered ct the same time TO restore
peace and order to Mexico itself. In the ac-
compllshment OF this result the people of the
United States must necessarily feel a deep
and earnest interest. Mexico ought to be a
rich and prosperous and powerful Republic.
She POSSESSES al extensive territory, fer
lie soil, and an incalculable store oil miner
al wealth. She occupies an important posi-
ton between the Gull and the ocean for
transit rodtes, aud for commerce. Is it pos.
sible that such a country as this can be Civ.
en- up to anarchy and ruin without an effort
from any quarter for its rescue and safety ?
Will the commercial nations of the world,
which have so many interests connected
with 1t, remain wholly Indifferent to such u
result T! Can the United States especially
which ought TO share most largely in lis
commercial intercourse, allow their immedi-
ate neighbor thus to DESTROY itself and injure
them! YET, without support from some quar-
er,itisimpossible. perceive how Mexico can
resume her position among nations, and en-
lei upon career which promises any good
results. The aid which she requires, and
which the interests of all commercial cOun.
tiles require that che should have, it belongs
to this Government to render, not only by
virtue of our neighborhOod to Mexico, along
whose territory we have continuous from.
rier Of early thousand miles, but by virtue
also, OF our esta blished policy, which is in,
consistent with the intervention OF any Eu-
ropean Power in the domestic concerns o.
that republic.
The wrongs which we have suffered from
Mexico are before the world, and must deep
! y impress every American citizen A gov.
ernment which is either unable or unwilling
to redress such wrongs is delelict to ii:
highest duties. The difficulty consists il
selecting and enforcing the remedy. We
may in vain apply TO the constitutional gov
ernment al Vera Cruz, although it is wei
disposed to do US justice, for adequate redress
While its authority is acknowledged in all
the important ports aud throughout the sea
coasts OF the Republic, its power does mol
extend to the CiIy of Mexico and the States
in It's vicinity, where nearly all the recent
outrage; have been Commiuei on American
citizens. We must penetrate into the inte.
rior be lore We can reach the off enders, ant
this csn only be done by passing through
the territory in the occupation Of the con.
stltutionll government.
The most acceptable and least difficult
mode of accomplishing the object will be tC
act in concert with that government. Theil
consent and their aid might, | believe, bt
obtained but if not, our obligation to pro
teCt our own citizens in their Just right, Sc
cured by treaty. would not be the less i'm
! perative. For these reasons, recumme nd
TO Congress to pass law authorizing tn,
President, under such conditions as they ma,
deem expedieut, to employ a sufficient mil
larry force to enter Mexico for the purpose of
obtaining indemnity for the past and securi
ty for the future. purposely refrain from
any suggestion as to whe thei this force shall
consist Oe regular troops or volunteers, OF
both.
This question may be most appropria tel
left 10 the decision OF Congress / wou Il
merely observe that should volunteers bt
selected such force could be easily raise(
in this country among those who slmpathiz'
with the sufferings OF our unfortunate fel
Iow-Citlzens in Mexico, and with the un'
happy condition OF that republic Such an
accession to the forces Of the constitutions
government would enable 1t soon to reacl
the city of Mexico and extend its powc
over the Whole republic. In that even
here is no reason 10 doubt that the jus
claims OF our citizens would be satisfied anC
| adequate redress obtained for the injuries i'll
flicled upon them. The constitutions
government have ever evinced strong de
sire 10 10 US Justice, and this might be secu
red in advance by preliminary treaty..
1t may be said thdt these measures will
at least indirectly be inconsistent with ou
wise and settled policy not to interfere il
the domestic concerns OF foreign cations
| But does not the present case fairly consti.
tute al exception? An adjoining Republic
is in state of anarchy and confusion from
which she has proved wholly unable to ex