The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-17
NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, JULY II, 1868


prominent citizen against whom no charges had
been brought, would not continue Governor Gaian's
had TO be handed over to General Corona,
who placed the prisoner in the principal
barracks Of the city guarded by file OF soldiers
IN other countries, he has to furnish his own meals,
light and whatever can add to his comfort. A pri-
vate citizen has furnished him bed On his first
being imprisoned here he called on his guards for
light but they ins0enty replied that the light OF the
moon was all he wanted, and asking for something
that he could furnish his own eating. The nOor Of
his present room, | am informed il neither as hight
NOT Is oeh as ,e nvo ana az u nn
burning in his room the entire night.
VIVA change for evil has the Mexican authori-
ties made in this case Lower California, from civil
rule law and order prosperity and advancement,
Is reduced to petty military vassalage. Public works
suspended, schools closed three hundred soldiers
that formerly applied TO educational and other
insti utons; all reforms abated, individual will
arbitrary regulations, one man power exercising
despotc rule and general system OF public plum
reached President Juarez these the facts in the
case, and his hasty and somewhat tyrannlca con-
duct towards Governor Galan will not raise
cans who were heretofore his friends, and who
defended him when by his own countrymen he was
denounced as an 'Indian usurper," IA base be-
trayer Of the constitutions and other epithets less
agreeable to the ear. The faction that advised and
compelled him to act as he has not his friends
III their interest 80 TO do. They, however, are sats
fed for they have satated their bitter malice against
Americans and American interests. This matter has
given me more insight into Mexican affairs than
ever had before, and must say that am thoroughly
convinced that the United States government knows
little nothing about MexicO-I mean the real feel
ing entertained towards us by Mexican leaders. They
are insolent IN their insults, and they say, "Hav
ing whipped the greatest military nation Of the age
1.-THE French)we don't fear much about the Yankees
taking Lower California or any other part OF our
country" The fact Island any person conversant
both military and civil, knows it-they are eager for
war With the United States, because they want to
blot out the Cas MEM ~ sSe
powerful than nation Of Mexican DayOnets" Does
not this promise to become an important one in
International lawP Can an American citizen hold
office under foreign government without taking
0aths obligations to defend and support Its con-
stituton, while at the same , time ne has never yer
never shown any intention OF SO doing but,
on the contrary, when arriving within the juris-
matriculation papers as an American citizen AS
citizen OF the United States, holding office under
foreign government, can that government arrest and
imprison him and treat him with unusual harshness,
while at the same time he is arrested and imprisoned
on the ground Of being an American citizen That
he was arrested on this ground, and also for his well
known sympathies to Americans and American in
terests while acting az Governor OF Lower California,
no one will deny: In the case OF John s. Thrasher,
who was accused OF being an accOmpllce In the IN
Of Cuba by Lopez, and which came before the
country In 1851 while Mr. Webster was Secretary OF
Stdte, III was neIQ unut, was tIlcu
for high treason or conspiracy against the crown OF
Spain and condemned to eight years. imprisonment
to hard labor, he Thrasher being an American
citizen by birth, his release was claimed not IA
right, but as favor, by the American government.
In the Of Martin Koszta who took active part in
q revolution in Hungary against the Austrian crown
and VINO afterwards returned TO Turkey later visit
ing the United States and here taking out his first
papers OF allegiance to our government, and Wnlle
there was arrested by the connivance OF the Aus
TRAN Ambassador and hurried on board an Austrian
man-Owar, It was held tnat the United states gov
government upheld the conduct. Of Captain Ingra
ham, OF the United States slOop-of-war ST. Louis IN
rescuing and protecting the prisoner koszta:
the rights OF Thrasher and Koszta, as Ameri-
can citizens, it certainly should interfere in
the case Of Governor Galan whO engaged neither In
rebellion nor acts Of war against the Mexican govern
ment Is now i'll prison on the alleged grounds OF his
being an American citizen On the contrary, instead
of being engaged ia rebellion against the constituted
he was humanity occupied IN advancing
the happiness and welfare Of Mexican citizens, IN re-
masses and his works are proof OF the spirit and m
tentiOn that guided him in his Official career There
is not single cited In "Wheaton's Elements OF
International Law that throws any light upon the
case under discussion. II will therefore be new,
and Will undoubtedly attract the attention deserves
from the American press and the American govern
ment.
Not content with wholesale slaughter, fratricida
wars and endless reoellions Mexican leaders appear
American citizens. Tele9raphic reports, correspon-
dence and private letters from that sanguinary re-
exists there among the leading political ana military
spirits, and also in commercial circles. In addition
to the late outrages we have chroniced an impor-
tant letter nom an American citizen Ia Mexico ap-
pears In the hRRALD to-day, which gives plain
and complete statement Of the oppressive and tyran
nical conduct OF the Mexican government to-
wards the late Governor OF Lower California,
Charles +. Galan, an American citizen. Mr..
Galan has been deposed from ofice, treated with
contempt, not to say nhumanity, thrown into prison
ana guarded by insoent soldiers, simply because he
dared To do for Americans what other governors had
done for Europeans-namely, 10 admit an American
vessel at reduction Of duties The facts are 80 fully
forth the letter TO which we refer that 1t Is I'M
necessary to review them here Governor Galan mas
or MaZatan for protection, simply because ne did
not consider that lie had committed any wrong, al
though both consuls offered him protection on the
ground OF his American citizenship considering that
although he held once In Lower California he had
never foreswOrn his allegiance TO the United states
nor taken oaths or obligations to the Mexican gov
eminent, and was consequently an American citl-
zen. II the Mexican authorities believed him guilty
O. Official misconduct he was only TO be tried
by Them but they have not seen fit TO give him
trial. Some doubts were entertained as TO MS per-
sonal safety, and in that case his friends would I'M
doubleday advise him to seek protection rom the
American consul at Mazatlan. This, we believe, 10
the intention OF the prisoner TO do upon the ar
rival OF the first American man-of war In port.
This case, AZ our correspondent states promises TO
be very important one. Certainly our government
should make immediate inquiry into IL and demand
government OF the United States has been tolerant
the last degree with Mexico We have even been
charitable. American citizens have loaned money to
that government 10 carry on war against European
Power, and that money has never been repaid, and
probably will be until its return Is compelled
by force. The American legion fought for Mexican
liberty against the AUSTRIAN usurper, and upon the
termination OF the warts members VIGOROUSLY
and shameiully treated by the Juarez adninistra
ZION. How long shall we continue to be deceived.
cheated and insuted by pusllanimous but insovcnt
sci or national cutthroatsY The American people are
not prone TO make war until they are driven 10 II.
but then they make war In earnest Andf Mexican
leaders Will continue to show hostility TO American
Interests and American citizens II they will bring
upon themselves the vengeance they justly deserve
Heaven VIII direct the instrument that VIII forever
relieve the masses OF the Mexican people from the
most accursed and bloodihrsty pack OF scoundrels
that ever blackened the pages OF history with
record Of crimes, assassinaiions and murders.