Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-03-04
A wATcHFU1 WAITER
AIedford Mail Tribune.

Medford Mail Tribune.
Porfessor Walter L. Davis of the his
tory department of the College of Pu-
get Sound at Tacoma has dug up some
historical documents concerning the at
titude taken by President Lincoln in
/ 1861 towards Intervention in Mexico,
then loudly clamored for as now, show
I ing that Lincoln was really the origin
ator of watchful waiting.
Following the Mexican war with its
American aggression, Mexico had been
torn with civil war between a republic
land monarchy. With Lincoln 5 election
came the triumph of Benito Juarez, who
set up q provisional government. Rev
olution and outlawry still tore up the
land.
/ Reports were widely circulated that
the provisional government was with
out authority to maintain order. Stories
or robberies, depredations, murders and
wrongs against American citizens flood
ed Washington. A member of the AM
erican legation was murdered on his
way to Vera Cruz from Mexico City.
Intervention was loudly demanded.
I Here was situation that paralleled
/ that faced by President Wilson. The
/ question is frequently asked: What
would Lincoln do Here is what
Lincoln did:
He proclaimed 4 policy of watenful
waiting and forbearance. He opposed
aggression. He appointed as minister
; to Mexico an opponent of the Mexican
war. Through Secretary Seward he sent
! the following instructions to the new
minister:
( For a few wears the condition of
/ Mexico has been so unsettled as to raise
the question on both sides of the Allan
I tic whether the time has not come when
some foreign power Ougnt, in the gen
/ ieral interest of society. to intervene to
( establish a protectorate or some other
form Of government in that country and
guarantee its continuance there.
/ The president never for a moment
doubts that the republican system is to
pass safely through all ordeals and
prove permanent success in our own
country, and so to be recommended to
adoption by all other nations.
But he thinks also that that system
has to make its way painfully through
| difficulties and embarraSSments which
result from the action Of antagonistieal
elements which are a legacy Of former
times and very different Institutions.
The president is hopeful of the ul-
innate triumph of this system over all
obstacles, as well in regard to Mexico
as in regard TO every other American
state; but he feels that those states are
nevertheless Justly entitled to a great
! er torbearance and more generous SYM
psthies from the government and people
Of the United States than they are ike
lY to receive in any other quarter.
The president trusts that your mis-
sion, manifesting these sentiments, will
reassure the government OF Mexico Of
his best disposition to favor their com
'merce and their internal improvements.
" j find the archives here full Of
complaints against tae Mexican gov
ernment for violation Of contracts and
spoilation and cruelties praetioed
against American citizens. 1t is not the
president 5 intention to send forward
such claims at the present moment. He
willingly defers the Performance Of
duty which at any time would seem un-
gracious, until the incoming administra.
tioR in Mexico shall have had time. il
possible, to cement its authority