The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-22

country we might be forbearing still, overlook
injuries and help to uphold its independence,
as we have heretofore; but there is none. As
nation Mexico Is in the throes of death.
The fate of the people depends upon us.
Our duty Is plain. We should save
the people from destruction and that
magnificent country from desolation. Every
one admits that annexation is only . ques-
ton of time. The great nations Of Europe have
twitted us for our apparent Indifference to the
fate Of Mexico and on our want of q
grand national policy with regard to
that country. We have neither per-
mitted them to cure disorders that are
disgrace to the civilized world, nor have we
attempted to put an end to them ourselves.
Has not the time come to actp If the Mexi-
cans cannot govern themselves and annexa-
ton Is inevitable some time, as every one adj
mits, why should our government wait any
longer? Why wait till ruin and desolation are
spread over the whole landf
We have no doubt that the Mexicans would
gladly accept annexation If the proper means
were used to show them the advantages and
the subject were handled in a statesmanlike
manner. The sentiment Of race cannot be
strong where there is such mixture Of people,
composed chiefly of the peon class, is
governed for the most part by those of
mixed Spanish blood. Nor can there be
q strong sentiment of national autonomy or
hope Of perpetuating it with nation which
is in rapid process Of disintegration and
which suffers 80 much from want of proper
government. As regards their religion, the
Mexican people, as we'll as the priests, know
that under the United States they would
have the greatest liberty and toll
erance. The latter would see, too, that the
property of the Church would be as fully, or
better, protected and be made more valuable
under the government of the United States
Every one. indeed, who owns property in Mex
leo would be greatly benefited. The poems,
or laboring class, would be raised from their
present state OF degradation and obtain bet
Ter reward for their labor. Even the political
and military leaders who now keep the coun-
s.y in anarchy might indulge in hieh.r amb-
ton for distinction as citizens of this great
republic. The Mexicans of all classes could
not help seeing, if properly enlightened, the
advantages Of annexation.
And what would be the effect upon our own
tory on the earth would add several Cali
fornias to our domain; would multiply our
productions and the variety of them, and give
us, particularly monopoly of the silver and
quicksilver production of the world would
open vast commerce to build up our de-
pressed shipping interests; give US numerous
and valuable ports, both on the Pacific and
Gulf of Mexico, and virtually make that gulf
an American lake; make US independent in
sugar, coffee and other tropical products
afford splendid transit route from ocean to
ocean across Tehuantepec; extend our rail-
road and telegraph systems to every part of
Mexico, and hundreds of advantages for
American capital and enterprise. It would,
in fact, advance the country in wealth, pros
perity and power amazingly. The labor Of
seven millions of poems, who are, when
properly treated, most docile and indus
trious people, would soon create boundless
wealth and make Mexico blossom as a rose
All this happiness to the Mexicans and
advantages to this country are within grasp
There is one man who can secure the prize
and send his name down to posterity with o
far greater halo of glory than now surrounds
it. That is General Grant. 1t is within his
power to annex Mexico. Is he equal to the
occasion? The way and means of accom-
plshing the object can be found If he will
make that the policy of his administration.