The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-11-04
Mr.. Stewards Mexican Scheme



At last the long concealed schemes of Sec
Rotary Seward, relative to Mexico, begin to
put on form and substance. They have been
skilfully kept hidden-the cunning Secretary
has been plotting 10 the dark-yet his plans
and his work have not been wholly unknown,
While he has been paltering With the honor
and interests OF the republic in order to Sc
cure his own private gain and subserve his
personal ambition, he has been sharply watch
ed, and nearly every winding of his devious
track is known. The history of his plotting
is nearly as follows:
As soon after the breaking out of our civil
war as Napoleon began to act in his Mexican
schemes, the attention Of Secretary Seward
was called to that country. For q time he
confined himself to stating the position Of the
administration and the people upon that
question, only expressing the sentiments he
was ordered to express in the Seward style.
Pretty soon it became evident that Maximil-
of our civil war. England and Spain with
drew from the invasion, but France perse-
vered. 1t was shown, however, that Mexico
was in q condition to fall comparatively
easy prey to the spoiler for time, at least,
and Mr., Stewards cupidity and natural love
OF intrigue began to be excited. Why not
secure slice of the spoil for the United
States, and pocket the profits himself?
private company was formed, of which
Clarence Seward and Thurlow Weed were
the brains, which private company, by man
agement, secured bargain for the sale to
them of portions Of the States Of Sonora and
Chihuahua, bordering upon the Gulf of Cats
ifornia. Then, as our readers ell remember,
certain public organs began to sound the
country with the idea Of foreign war, which
it was claimed would be the best way 10 unite
the North and South after the rebellion
should cease. Seductive pictures were
wrought of the veterans of Lee and Grant
marching shoulder TO shoulder against the
French in Mexico, and forgetting their own
past quarrel in the common glory Of q new
enterprise. For this service to Mexico, of
course she would gladly give US the territory
bordering upon the Gulf of California, after
receiving which the Seward Weed Joint stock
company would appear with their claim and
pocket their millions
This plan did not work. Under President
Lincoln the willy Secretary found it necessary
to be rather careful as to his conduct. His
master was liberal, and allowed him to plo,
and plan, so long as he did not attempt to
commit the government, because Mr.. Lin
coin, more than any other statesmen in the
country, relied upon the good sense of the
people, and Mr.. Stewards schemes being
discussed in the public journals afforded a
very good means Of ascertaining public sen.
timent, besides keeping public opinion awake
relative to our foreign affairs.
But, unhsppily, Mr.. Lincoln, Mr.. Stewards
master, vas assaulted, and succeeded by An.
drew johnson, Stewards servant. AT once,
the aspect of affairs was changed. The
schemer was now the power behind the
throne, greater than the throne itself, instead
Of the mere servant Of the throne, ~ he had
been under Lincoln. He at once began to
improve the opportunity of the situation.
First he committed Mr.. johnson to my
policy policy which. If it succeeded or
if it failed, would, in either event, need to be
followed by some foreign complication to dis
tract the attention and heal the wounds Of the
defeated victim. If it succeeded, the South
would gladly embrace an opportunity to seize
upon some portion Of Mexico, aud tend its
vote In Congress to further Sewards plans,
In return for his services in procuring their
restoration, and because such foreign com.
piication would serve as safety. valve to dis
tract the attention and carry of the anger of
the Radical North. Moreover, numbers of
rebel chiefs, at the close of the rebellion, had
emigrated to Mexico and acquired property
there. They had been spoiled and abused by
both the Empire and Juaris,s, and revenge
and recovery of their property would be
sweet Besides, the new States annexed
might be manipulated so Is to add to the
Southern strength. The Monroe doctrine
and the glory of conquest might be used to
pacify the. North, and tide over the danger of
An explosion uni' ne country became settled
In its new gase
:, In case Of the feat Of tmy policy" the
Mexican scheme snald be necessary-ss It il
now being prep,r-a for use-in covering up
the Presidents ,a,stake, and giving to the
last two years of hrs administration the glory
of foreign acquisition to offsett the failure Of
his first two years.
Accordingly Mr. Seward found Mr.. John
son ready to fall iato his plans, and, about a
year since he wen; to the West Indies to hold
an interview with Santa Anna Shortly after.
Santa Anna came to the United States, and
vs have seen the development of that part of
tho plot without knowing precisely what the
bargain behind vas. We are now told by
thssslsgnph that
ain view Of the possibility Of disturbances
In the country and the anarchy arising from
the numerous factions and clioues that have
for 20 long eursed that land, our sovsrnment
will be prepared to protect the recognized re.
publican govesnmen of JuAssz, and establish
Il on firm and secure footing. In consider.
ton of these services the concession Of Low.
Or California and the northern portion Of the
States Of 6onora and chihuahua 10 made to
the United Stetsa II y no part of the agree
NET VI nAds tAAs tAo U6itsa H<sGss il to
GUARANTEES ths claims Of Fnnae against Mex
leo, though such : course dAay Jet appear az.
psdisnt and proper, IN which ease the gov
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