National Republican., 1873-05-28
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.

Tho republic OF Mexico Is under many OBJ
legations 10 the United statee, not the
least Of which IL the moral protectorate
which existed In fact, though not In name, |
during the struggle against the usurpations
Of MaHimillan, and through the agency Of
which the JuarcE Government was secured.
The mastery management Of the numberless
diplomatic questions which arose from Maxi
mllian's effort to conquer our sister repub-
lie was conducted by our own State Depart
ment. President Juarez failed TO obtain rec
ognltlon from European powers, all Of whom
were anxiously and publicly allied In the sup
port Of tho usurper Tho United States,
alone, of all the leading treaty-making pow
crs, maintained unhinching friendship for the
republic. That Friendship was manifested
In many ways, but most prominently In the
matter Of protests against the establishment
Of an empire on American soil. II Is true
that we were at that time engaged In a terri
bic civil conflict Of our own, the bitter peril
nacity Of which attracted the attention
and admiration Of the civilized world,
and that the opportunity afforded by
this trouble was embraced by the monarch
lists Of Europe as fitting one for their effort
to rear the standard Of personal government
on our adjacent territory. II Is true that we
were beset on oil sides with complications
threatening our own existence, and that VT
were struggling against physical as well as
diplomatic influences which combined abroad
f.. our destruction. But, surrounded as we
were with difficulties almost overwhelming,
our loyalty to rcpublicanism on the American
continent never faltcrcd for an instant. In
fact, when Mexico could not act for herself,
we fought her diplomatic battles with the
world at large with the same eager Jealousy
and an ability which challenged universal ad-
mlration, that We gave to our own cause.
In view Of this, 1t Is, perhaps, not too much
TO say that the United States saved Mexico
from utter ruin in the time of her
most urgent need. The argument that
the cause Of Mexican republicanism was
the cause Of American integrity applies only
TO prove the intrepid loyalty Of our Govern
ment to the fundamental principles which
should govern the relations which exist be-
tween the two countries, and our traditional
lcniency towards Mexico In everything ap-
pertaining TO those relations showSa lack Of
sclhshness Of which we may be proud. In
We owe her nothing. This Is the plain
statement Of the case as 1t stands, stripped Of
complications which have arisen In the past,
and may yet arise from border troubles. Re-
garding those troubles, our Government has
taken the prccautlon to forearm itself with
certain Acknowledgements from competent
Mexican officials, to show that we have suf-
fercd long and peacefully; and, further, that
the origin Of the grounds for complaint re-
sides In the acts Of denlzens, citizens or
Others, who owe allegiance to, OF should be
under the control Of, the Mexican Govern
ment. The recent raid by our troops into
Mexican territory, for tho purpose Of
Furnishing band Of predatory thieves, who
had laid waste the ranches and villages
Of one Of our border States may not be justl.
fable under a strict application OF the laws
which should govern in such cases. Mexico
may, therefore, complain that we have In
vaded her territory and ovcrridden the rights
OF weaker power; she may even go so far
rs to denOuncc the raid as an act Of war, foi
which she may claim damages both positive
and cOnsequentlal-consequ because Of
the fact that she Is weaker power and has
been subjected TO an imaginary insult; but
the equities Of the case are ON our side. The
act was provoked by the necessity Of self
preservation, which being the frst law Of ma
ture Is also the Hrst law Of nations. The
deprodations combining to make this provo
cation involved loss Of life and property far
beyond the capacity Of the Mexican Govern
ment to pay. Repeated promises had been
given to correct the abuses Of which We com.
planned, but they were never kept. The
situation required an energetic, prompt
and determined demonstration Of some
kind which would compel an immc-
dlate settlement Of existing doubts, not
only as to the honesty Of Mexico regard
Ing those promises, but regarding her ability
to keep them. 1t makes but little difference
whether Colonel Mckenzie acted on his own
responsibility or under the suggestions or
orders Of superior authority. He has done
well for his Government, and will receive the
sympathy Of his fellow-countrymen, as Com
modore Wilkes did when he captured Mason
and Slldoll. We may expect much adverse
criticism on this subject from the partisan
prcss, but In view Of the facts as here pre-
sented we rest assured that whatever course
the Administration may pursue, whether II
be to sustain Mckenzie, which Is probable, or
the contrary, the people at large will CRATE
fully remember him as q gallant young
officer who solved knotty problem with a
rapldity and effectiveness that q century OF
diplomatic correspondence could not have
reached.