The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-12-27
The MEXICAN QUESTION.

THE MEXICAN QUESTION.
When country becomes the subject
of universal attention and conversation.
it is but natural to suppose that its po-
litieal and moral condition, and material
resources are well known, yet the meagre
information afforded by the public press
is convincing proof that we are still III
the horn-hook of the history Of Mexico.
The historians Prescott and Wilson in
form Us that the climate Is genial, the
mineral resources vast, and the soil in
compaFably productive; and that with
d proper government il might become
the seat OF an empire which would
rival, If not surpass our own Republic
in prosperity and nagniiicenea. Yet
this country, TO which nature has been
50 bountiful, has done worse than nothing
for herself, and at this hour, instead Of
being one o. the most prosperous and
powerful countries Of the Americas,
she is really the most imbecile, poverty
stricken and Gad-forsaken. Fer sixty
years she has been subjected to the
horrors and erueities Of iniernieine war
fare, the bloodshed and barbarisln Of the
battlefield, and the furies and outrages
attendant upon massacre, eonilagration
and piilage. Is this condition Of affairs
10 continue forever! such must inevi-
tably be the case SO long as our govern
ment retains as q maxim Of policy that
foolish and imbeeiie WielSedness, called
tie Monroe doctrine. What is tire Mon
roe doetfinea Simply a recommendation
Of .. Old granny Monroe to Tie con
5eHplatea convention OF representatives
Of American States at Panama, which
never assembled, that each OF the agree
ing parties should bind themselves to
prevent, il possible, the establishment
Of any European colony within the bof-
ders Of the Americas. Such doctrine
5 Incompatible with she progressive
spirit Of the age, IS ungenerous and un-
staJesmaHlii1e. Il has 10 foundation IN
5he laai Of nature, nor IS It leeitimateiy
aeausikle fHem the law Of nations, Or
sanctioned bsany respectable power rs Of
binding force and obligation; and yet
tl3e doematie assertion ef this stupidity
b the United States has not emily pre-
vented the political regeneration Of
Mexico, nuIiiiie1 every effort made to
develop her vast and varied resources,
and ciogged the wheels Of civilization,
tat has ajso absolutely kept IN counte-
nance a4d power the miserable aad law
less ulJngrels, who are now laying the
county waste wi5h fire and swefd The
course o our Government having been
such a. 70 render abortive INC earnest
efforts Of the Emperor Of the French to
establish a firm and stable government
IN Mexico, what IS our imperative duty?
S It to continue to act cut the non-inter-
ventien policy, and permit this glorious
country TO be pillased and desolated by
political nl0untebanlzs, like Juaraz and
Ortega, or should we take the course
recommended by Gen. Sam. Houston
years ago, Of establishing g Protectorate
over that unhappy land: Certainly
there can be no question as 10 the part
the United States should endeavor to
perform-establish law and order, en-
courage immigration, and lend a help
ing hand to every appliance for the
ehristianization and civilization OF that
effete and demofalized people, and 1he
zine will soon come when Mexico Will
be rich and prosperous, instead Of being
the meancst beggar in the world.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON AND MILITARY