The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-01-05

tain apply to the constitutional gov
ernmept at Vera Cruz, although it is
wen disposed to do us justice, for ade
onafe redress. Whilst its authority j.
acknowledged in all the important
ports and throughout the sea-coasts O
the Republic, its power does not ex
tend to the city of Mexico and the
states in its vicinity, where nearly al
the recent outrages have been commit
ted on American citizens. We mus
penetrate into the interior before we
can reach the offenders, and this car
only be done by passing through the
territory in the occupation of the con
stitutional government. The most ae-
ceptibIe and least difficult mode of ac
complishing the object will be to act
in concert with that government.
Their consent and their aid might, l
believe, be obtained; but If not, our
obligations to protect our own ci'izens
in their just rights, secured by treaty,
would not be the less Imperative. Fol-
these reasons, / recommend TO Con
gress to pass law authorizing the
President, under such conditions as
they may deem expedient, to employ a
sufficient military force to enter Mexico
for the purpose of obtaining indemnity
for the past and security for the future.
/ purposely refrain from any suggestion
as to whether this force shall consist OF
regular troops or volunteers, or both.
This question may he most appropri-
atcly 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 sympathise with the
sufferings of our unfortunate fellow cit
liens in Mexico, and with the unhappy
condition of that republic. Such an
accession to the forces of the constitu-
tional government would enable it soon
to reach the city of Mexico, and extend
its power over the whole republic. In
that event there is no reason to sup
pose that the just claims of our citizens
would not be satisfied and adequate
redress obtained for the injuries infiic
ted upon them. The constitutional
government have ever evinced a strong
desire to do us justice, and this might
be secured in advance by prclimi-
nary treaty.
1t may be said that these measures
will, at least, indirectly, be inconsistent
with our wish, our wise and settled pol
icy not to interfere in the domestic
concerns of foreign nations. But does
not the present case fairly constitute
an exception An adjoining republic
is in state of anarchy and confusion
from which she has proved wholly I'M
able to extricate herself. She is en-
tirely destitute of the power to main
tain peace upon her borders, or to pre-.
vent the incursions of banditti into oul
territory. In her fate and in her for
tune-in her power to establish and
maintain = settled government-we
have far deeper interest, socially, com
mercially and politically than any other
nation. She is now wreck upon the
ocean, drifting about as she is impelled
by the different factions. As n good
neighbor, shall we not extend to her q
helping hand to save her? If we dc
not, it would not be surprising should
some other nation undertake the task
and thus force us to interfere at last
under circumstances of increased diff
Guilty, for the maintenance Of our es
tablished policy.
/ repeat the recommendation con
tanned in my last annual message that
authority may be given to the Presi
dent to establish one or more military
posts across the Mexican line in So
nora and chihuahua, where these may
be necessary to protect the lives and
property of American and Mexican
citizens against the incursions and de
predations of the Indians, as well as Of
lawless rovers on that remote region
The establishment of one such post al
u point called Arisre, in Sonora in q
country now almost depopulated by
the hostile inroads of the Indians from
our side of the line, would, it is be
lieved, have prevented much injury
and many cruelties during the pas
season. A state of lawlessness and vi
olence prevails on that distant frontier
Life and property are there wholly in
secure. The population of Arizona
now numbering more than ten thou
sand souls, are practically destitute o
government, of laws, or of any regular
administration ofjnstice. Murder, ra
pine and other crimes are committed
with impunity. /, therefore, agar
call the attention of Congress to thu
necessity for establishing a territorial
government over Arizona.
The treaty with Nicaragua of thu
10th February, 1857, to which | re
ferred in my last annual message
failed to receive the ratification of thu
government of that republic, for rea
sons which | need not enumerate. 4
similar treaty has since been concluded
between the parties, bearing date OF
the 10Th OF March, 1859, which has al
ready been ratified by the Nicarauguar
Congress. This will be immediatel,
submitted to the Senate for their rati
fication. It's provisions, cannot,
think, fail to be acceptable to the PEG
pie of both countries.
Our claims against the government
of Costa RIGA and Nicaragua remain
unredrcssed, though they are pressed
in an earnest manner, and not without
a 80