Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-05-16
The Mexican Question.
IMPORTANT STATEMENT OF THE VIEWS
OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

addressed by the Secretary OF State to
the several American legations abroad
WASHINGTON, Monday, March 3, 1862
Sir-We observe indications of q
growing impression in Europe that the
demonstration made by the Spanish
French, and British force slagainst Mex
ico is likely to provoke a revolution in
that country which shall bring about the
introduction of monarehial government
and the assumption of the crown byaa
foreign7prince. Our country Is deeply
interested in the peace Of tbesworId, and
desires to preserve loyal relations as well
with the Allies as with Mexico. The
President has, therefore, directed me to
submit to the parties interested his views
on the new aspect Of affairs
The President has relied upon the as
surance given his government by the
Allies, that lhey were in the pursuit OF
10 political object, but simply the redress
of their grievances. He enterlains no
doubt Of the sincerity of the Allies; and
If his confidence in their good faith had
been disturbed, il would he restored by
the frank explanations given by them,
that the governments Of Spain, France,
and Great Britain have no intention OF
intervening to procure change in the
constitutional form Of government now
existing in Mexico, or any political
change which should be in opposition to
the will of the Mexican people. la
short. he has cause TO believe that the
Allies are unanimous in declaring sthat
revolution proposed TO Mexico is solely
prompted by certain Mexican citizens
who are now in Europe.
Nevertheless, the President regards it
as his duty to express to the allies in all
kindness and candor, that a monarchicaI
government established in Mexico in tie
presence of foreign fleets and armies, oc-
cupying,the waters and soil of Mexico,
has no promise Of security or perma-
nence in the second place that the in
stability Of such monarchy would be-
enhanced if the throne were assigned to
persoa alien to Mexico that in these
circumstances the new government would
instantly fall unless sustained by Euro
pean alliances, which, under the influence
Of the first invasion, would be practically
the beginning Of Il permanent policy Of
armed Intervention by monarchcal Jtn-I
rope, at once injurious and inimical to
the system Of government generally
adopted by the American continent.
These views are based upon some
knowledge of the opinions and political
habits OF American society. There can
be no doubt that in this matter perma-
nent interests and sympathies lof our
country, would be on the side OF the other
American Republics.
We must not be understood as pre-
dieting on this occasion, the course of
events which may cnsue, both in Ameri-
ca and in Europe, from the steps which
are contemplated. 1t is enough to say
that, in the opinion Of the President, the
emancipation of the American continent
from the control of Europe has been TIE
principal characteristic Of the past half
century. 1t is not probable that tevo-
luton in the opposite direction can sue
coed in the age which Immediately fol
lows this period, aud while the popula
ton Of America increases so rapidly,
while its resources develop in the same
proportion, ami while society forms itself
uniformly according to the principles Of
the American Democratic government.
Ii is unnecessary to indicate to the al
lies how improbable it is that the nations
of Europe would accept cheerfully a pol
icy favorable to similar counter-revo-
luton, thus incompatible with their own
proper interests. Nor is il necessary 10
point out that notwithstanding the care
Of the allies TO avoid aiding by means of
their land and maritime forces the inter
nal revolutions Of Mexico, the result
would be none the less due to the pres
ence Of their forces in the country, how
ever different the Object they may have
proposed, for without their presence IL
may be considered as certain that such
revolutions would probably not have been
attempted or even conceived.
The Senate of the United States has
certainly not accorded its official sane
ton to the precise measures proposed by
the President, to lend our aid to the ac-
tual Mexican government in order that
the latter might, with the appreciation Of
the allies, extricate itself from its pres
ent embarrassments. But this is strict
ly question of internal administration.
There could be no greater error than TO
see in this disagreement a divergence nj