Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-09-02


matter, too, principle was plain and
it was imperative that we should live
up to it if we were to deserve the
trust of any real partisan of the right
as free men see it. We have pro-
fessed 20 believe, and we do believe,
that the people of small and weak
states have the right to expect to be
dealt with exactly as the people of big
and powerful states would be. We
have acted upon that principle in deal.
ing with'the people of Mexico.
Our recent pursuit of bandits into
Mexican territory was no violation of
that principle. We ventured to enter
Mexican territory only because there
were no military forces in Mexico that
could protect our border from hostile
attack and our own people from vio-
lence, and we have committed there no
single act of hostility or interference
even with the sovereign authority of
the republic of Mexico herself. 1t
was q plain case of the violation of
our own sovereignty which could not
wait to be vindicated by damages and
! The authorities of Mexico were power
| less 10 prevent II.
Cannot Deny Right of Revolt.
Many serious wrongs against the
property, many irreparable wrongs
against the persons, of Americans
have been committed within the terri
tory Of Mexico herself during this con-
fused revolution, wrongs which could
Z not be effectually checked SO long as
there was no constituted power in
Mexico which was in q position to
check them. We could not act directly
in that matter ourselves without de-
nying Mexicans the right to any reyo'
luton at all which disturbed us and
making the emancipation of her own
people await our own interest and con
venience.
For it is their emancipation that
they are seeking-Dlindly, it may be
and as yet Intellectually, but with pro
found and passionate purpose and
within their unquestionable right, ap
ply what true American principle you
will-any principle that an American
would publicly avow.
Outsiders Have Dictated.
The people of Mexico have not beer
suffered to own their own country OIL
direct their own institutions. Out
siders, men out of other nations anC
with interests too often alien to theil
own, have dictated what their priv
ileges and opportunities should be ant
who should control their land, theil
lives, and their resources - some OF
them Americans, pressing for thing'
they could never have got in their Owl
country. The Mexican people are zen
titled to attempt their liberty from
such influences; and so long as | hav'
anything to do with the action of ou
great government l shall do every
thing in my power to prevent ANYONE
standing in their way.
Plain People Understand 1t.
know that this is hard for SOM
persons to understand; but it is no
hard for the plain people of the United
States to understand. 1t is hard doc
. trine only for those who wish to ge
something for themselves out o
, Mexico. There are a few, of our owl
people, thank God! whose fortune
are invested in great properties il
Mexico who yet see the case with tru
! vision and assess its issues with tru
American feeling. The rest can b
left for the present out of the reckon
ing until this enslaved people has ha
its day of struggle towards the light
have heard no one who was FIRE
from such influences propose inter
ference by the United States with tn
A internal affairs of Mexico. Certainl
l no friend Of the Mexican people ha
$ proposed it.
! Revolution Inevitable Right.
j The people of the United States ar
=, capable of great sympathies and
!, noble pity in dealing with problems o
: this kind. AS their spokesman an
representative, have tried to act i
, the spirit they would wish me show
l The people of Mexico are striving 70
i the rights that are fundamental to lif
! and happiness - fifteen million OK
pressed men, overburdened womer
and pitifui children in virtual bondag
:, in their own home of fertile lands an
7 inexhaustible treasured Some of tn
!, leaders of the revolution may ofte
/ have been mistaken and violent an
I selfish, but the revolution itself wa
e inevitable and is right. The unspeal
= able Huerta betrayed the very con
. rades he served traitorously oyel
+ threw the government Of which he wa
c trusted part, impudently spoke fo
the very forces that had driven HI
people to the rebellion with which b
f had pretended to sympathize. The me
/. who overcame him and drove him or
r represent at least the fierce passio
s of reconstruction which lies at ii
IS very heart of liberty; and so long {
l. they represent, however imperfectl
h such a struggle for deliverance, / a
s ready to serve their ends when | ca
is Treachery Not to Be Rewarded.
II So long as the power of recognitio
z rests with me the government of Il
IF United States will refuse to extend Il
IS hand of welcome to any one who o.
o tains power in sister republic |
y treachery and violence. No pc
It mancncy can be given the affairs I
If any republic by title based upC
d intrigue and assassination. L declare
n that 10 be the policy of this admin
e tration within three weeks after
l. assumed the presidency. here aga
e. vow it, am more Interested in Il
l. fortunes of oppressed men and pitif
Il women and children than in any pro
10 erty rights whatever. Mistakes |ha'
, no doubt made in this perplexing bus
ness, but not in purpose or object.