The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-26


nations.
General Grants Views and Position on
the Mexican Question.
In the famous Lincoln campaign of 1861
which marked the beginning of new period
in the history of the government and the party
| politics of the United States, the Hon.
William H. Seward, on the stump, taking .
sweeping view all round the horizon through
the telescope of manifest destiny" fore
Swallowed, on the one hand, the extension of
the ''Stars and Stripes" to the North Pole,
and on the other to the Isthmus of Darien,
including the Gulf of Mexico and its fruitful
tropical islands. His purpose, while adroitly
concealing it, was to divert the public mind
from the gathering clouds and shadows and
mutterings Of the Southern rebellion to the
illimitable expansion, power and prosperity
which awaited us with the preservation of the
Union. Yet this idea with Mr.. Seward was
something more than special pleading. as
| some years later we saw In his treaty for the
annexation of the little volcanic island of st.
Thomas, and In his treaty for the purchase of
the stupendous Arctic empire of Alaska-that
wonderful Territory whore, as he tells us
from his own observation, 'the American eagle
scars aloft in all his glory, and where even
the humming bird does not disdain to futter.
Certain volcanic upheavals in the Carib-
bean, with their destructive tidal waves,
overthrow the ST. Thomas annexation move
ment, or otherwise General Grant might have
been successful in his st. Domingo scheme.
We only want beginning in the West Indies,
in order to 60 steadily on with the absorption
of all those fine islands, great and small, and
st. Thomas, if secured, would have been
beginning. Failing in st. Thomas, ST. Do
mingo would have served the purpose much
better; but failing also in st. Domingo, we
are reduced for a starting point to Cuba or
Mexico, and either will do. But as Spain
appears to be as heroically attached to Cuba
as Mrs. Micawber was to her worthless
spouse; as Spain will neither sell the island
to us nor give it the generous boon of inde-
pendence as Spain, In short, declares that
she will fight for Cuba to her last man and
her last dollar, we have just now no choice
but Mexico in the opening of our Southern
programme Of annexation.
And here we find that General Grant is
sound as cocoanut. His views on the
Mexican question are the views of the HERALD,
which are simply the views Of common sense
in their application to manifest destiny"
General Grant, as trusty Washington corre-
spondent informs us, holds these opinions -
That the resources and capabilities of Mexico
invite and demand good government; that
no greater blessing could be given that people
than United States protectorate; that such
q protectorate would be great triumph to his
administration and a grand step accomplished
in manifest destiny )" that Mexico should no!
be left to the hazards Of European Intervention
and of another foreign Prince, introduced like
Macmillan; that as long as that country is
powerless to command respect for its flag
abroad or obedience to its laws at home it will
be at the mercy of any adventurous Power,
and that it would be much cheaper and easier
| to prevent the landing Of foreign force in
Mexico than to drive 1t out when once fairly
established in the country, like the late French
occupation under Marshal Bazaine.
These are the views of General Grant, in
regard to the advantages to Mexico, and to us
as her next-door neighbor, which are offered
in United States protectorate. They are
sound and satisfactory. But on turning to
the other side Of the medal he presents us a
different picture. General Grants experience
in his st. Domingo venture, in the first place,
warns him against taking the initiative in this
proposed settlement of the Mexican question.
He does not care to invite again the misrep-
reservations and adverse criticisms that were
| inspired by his efforts to secure, for almost
nothing, the splendid tropical island of St.
| Domingo. Accordingly he has made up his
mind that if, under his administration, there
| is to be practical movement for protector
| ate over Mexico, or for annexation, it must
! come from Congress- But as it is apparent
| that the Mexican government will not consent
to the sacrifice Of its independence, he holds
that protectorate on our part means the
marching into Mexico of fifty thousand men
and the conquest and occupation of the coun-
try as In 1867, and Congress is the war
making power. And 80 in regard to Mexico
we must, it appears, await the drift Of
events. The President appreciates the force
of that predominant public opinion represented
by the HERALD, and would most heartily give
it effect and purpose; but he is in the hands OF
Congress, the law-making power.
| At any rate the position Of General Grant
upon this important and momentous question
| Ia cJoar lv dofned and IL all that CON ho ro
quired of him, especially after the wet blanket
thrown over him in his St. Domingo UNDER
taking. An old bird is not caught the second
time in the same net. Now, therefore, we
| shnuld like To have another fnat and q morn