The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-11

mexico. 10 my mlDQ all reasons lie IN favor OF q
peaceful policy there: By frmness we can assert
and maintain our rights but the country does not
want war on any issue that had been raised that
is likely to be raised.
Mr.. Reagan of Texas agreed it was not we'll to
invoke war, and that 1t was the duty of the govern
ment III the way was open) to resort to peaceful
modes and to improve the commercial and friendly
relations of the United States and Mexico, rather
than resort to any plan looking to war. He init
mated however that the existence of what is known
the Stree zone" in Mexico was an obstacle to
commercial intercourse
Mr.. Cox Of New YORK; member OF the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, stated that the committee had
under consideration the question of affairs on the
Rio Grande. The keeping of peace with Mexico de.
pended mostly on diplomacy, depended altogether
(6e was going to say on the executive Congress
could do very little except to give what moral power
it could give by resolution and it therefore became
serious question how far Congress and its committee
should go in attempting to alleviate the troubles
the Rio Grande. Mexico was neighbor, "our
sick man, Mexico was volcanic politically and
physically. For the last So years of her independence
she has been in a state OF chronic revolution. 1t
had been the policy OF the American government
when it saw de facto government to recognize it,
and he was therefore utterly at loss to know why
government of President Diaz had not been recog-
nzed. President Diaz had the capitol, the archives
the army. all the insignia and the paraphernaia of
power. HIS government was much de facto as some
Others he could name "a laugh as Fuuch de tacto
those of the Confederate States when they had been
reorganized unGer same pressure or necessity. The
American troops crossed the river at almost any
point and If the troops of the two countries met
there was no telling what day or two might bring
a mans hand tomorrow becomes an immense thun-
der cloud 1t therefore behooved Congress as con-
servator of peace to consult diplomacy in the
metter and to stop any attempt to plunge the
try into war. He therefore favored the amendment
offered by bis colleague (Hewitt) because it might
enlarge the scope of enquiry started by the Commits
tee ON Foreign Affairs and the committee would,
under the lead of its distinguished chairman (Swann
of NM, do its duty in the premises
Mr.. Stephens of Georgia said: have no objection
to the amendment proposed by the gentleman from
New York (HeWitt) He stated properly that his
objections were to that part of the resolu-
ton that gives emphasis to the border troubles
In Texas tits perfectly in harmony with the reso.
tuition reported from the committee ways and
means. think it proper to give that emphasis. L
have looked upon this question of the border troub-
les in Texas with deep interest. believe thalsthis
prevented it ought to be (this sentence was pro-
nounced with great emphasis Mr.. stephens in
nervous manner moved The wheels OF his perambu-
laing chair back aud orwardl I agree entirely
with the gentleman from Maine (Hale) Ii war eau
be averted by any sort of wise diplomacy let 1t be
done. The committee on foreign affairs may do
much in consultation with the Executive to bring
about some sort of negotiation. am not prepared
to say whether it is right to recognize the de facto