Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-01
ROSECR4NS AND MEXICO.

RlSECR1NS AM IHEAINO.
General Rosecrans has issued letter to
the people of the United States in relation
To the affairs of Mexico. and speaking gen
erallv ofour relations to other governments
on this continent He thinks that this gov
eminent has been very neglectful of its in
terests in connection with its neighbors,
particularly with Mexico, and proposes
the adoption of a policy to which he has
called the attention of Congress. This
policy is to begin with Mexico. and be ex-
tended from that to other countries south.
Its basis is to be the Monroe Doctrine.
which he holds to be y d claration that the
nations of this western continent should
manage their affaiEs without the Interior
ence of European nations, and that in case
of attempted European intervention they
should make common cause and resistance
This is straining the doctrine point be-
yond what its originators intended, and If
we were compelled to live up to it would
probably give our government considera-
BILE business to attend to. We should have
to take the place in the programme of the
bic, rich brother, who would have to fight
all the battles of the other brothers and be-
come responsible for the support and pro-
lection OF the whole family.
Having planted ourselves squarely on
the Monroe Doctrine rs he understands it,
- rrx-bi .i. h. tn *
to establish system of internal improve
ments for Mexico, by increase of railroads,
immigration, and a better banking sys-
tenn, all to be done by American capital
incorporated by Congress.
Upon this subject he addressed Presi-
dent Juarez, while he was Minister to
Mexico, and received an encouraging re-
Spouse. He also received encouragement
from other influential persons to whom he
communicated his plans. Concessions are
to be granted by the Mexican government
sufficient to insure the investment of cap
ital. A memorial was addressed to Con-
gress upon the subject, in which General
Roseerans stated that the scheme requires
no explanation. no complication, and the
endorsement of it by Congress only
amounts to saying that Congress thinks
the rapid development of Mexico and her
prosperity SO important, that it is willing
to authorize an organized effort of Ameri-
can citizens to aid in the work" This is
the project upon which General Rosecrans
now addresses the people of the United
States. This may appear all plain and
smooth to him, but it seems to us that
leaving the position which this country Is
required absolutely to take upon the Mon
roe Doctrine entirely out of the account,
there would be something extraordinary
and dangerous in an attempt to carry out
his scheme of internal improvement as he
proposes. We should find it an expensive
and difficult job without doubt before we
finished it, to undertake in foreign coun-
trywhat our government has scarcely been
able to do in its own territory. Then the
people and institutions of Mexico are of
such character as not to be entitled to
our confidence. We kept them from the
clutches of foreign dynasty, but while
we were giving them support they were
robbing us and putting arms and supplies
into the hands of the rebels to fight us
with 1t would be gratifying and profta-
BILE to this country to have Mexico prosper,
but we fear that will never be till there is
new order of things, more honesty, less
faction and villainy, better rulers and peo-
pie, than exist there at the present time.
We would suggest to General Rosecrans
the improvement ofthe morals of the peo-
: pie of that country as preliminary step,
at least so far that they should not think it
just the thing to put q knife under our fifth
rib in return for friendship and material
aid, after which we might consider the
plan presented by him.