Year: 1868

The ROsecrans Mission to Mexico.


The mission of General Rosecrans to Mexico
is highly important one That country is in
the crises of its history and fate, and this coun-
try is called upon by every consideration of
policy, humanity and destiny to close its mis-
fortunes and crimes. General Rosecrans is
the very man for this mission, and is going on
it at the nick of time.


Scarcely day passes that news does
not arrive of fresh outbreaks of civil war in
Mexico. 1t is the old story-a perpetual reit-
Grafton of the old and long standing malady.
An ambitious chief, general, governor or a
plundering and numbering bandit jumps up
and sets at defiance the government in one
place to-day and in another place the next
day; and so it continues day after day and
year after year. The news published yester-
day, and, indeed, for some time past, shows
the Juarez government to be in a
precarious situation. Governor Herman
dez, of Vera Cruz, had returned from
Madellin, where he had failed to put
down the insurgents; the land and sea opera
tions undertaken against the rebels Of Alva-
RADIO had also failed; the city of Vera Cruz
was full of malcontents, and the rebels were
making raids within musket range of the city
civil authority had been suspended; Colonel
Dominguez had been defeated by the Yucatan
Indians, and kidnapping, murders and robberes
were of frequent and general occurrence
throughout the republic. But tits unnecessary
to recapitulate all the horrors of that disor-
ganized country. They are well known, and,
as we said, that is the chronic condition of
Mexico.


The United States is not without blame for
this state of things. We should have held
Mexico and established good and stable
government there when we conquered it and
General Scott was in the capital. Our short
sighted politicians, having the slavery ques-
tion on the brain, feared to annex such vast
territory to the southwark, and we lost glo-
rious opportunity of giving peace to and devel-
oping the wonderful resources of that
country. What a different condition
Mexico would have been in to-day
Twenty years have passed since that opportu-
nifty occurred. What wealth would have been
developed both for Mexico and this republic
What progress would have been made in that
time had we continued to hold the country
Not only did we lose the greatest advantages,
but we have been close upon war with great
European Power in consequence. Napoleon
stepped in to establish q government there
during our civil war. He attempted to do
what we ought to have done long before. We
were brought to the verge Of war with France
in expelling the European intruders and in
defending the Monroe doctrine. The Mexican
republic owes its existence, as is well known,
to the United States, which, however, they
seem to forget, and are ungrateful.


Yet another golden opportunity was lost,
when the French were leaving to absorb Mexico
and to give it peace. General Grant pro-
posed to send Sheridan with an army for this
purpose. Like the great Roman generals of
old he saw the destiny and glory Of his own
country. He saw, in fact, what was the newt
able destiny of Mexico as well, and he proposed
to carry that out while Mexico was dependent
upon the United States, and while we had
large armies in the field. ripe with experience
and full of ambition. The General would gladly
have gone on this mission himself, and
so would our other heroes and brave soldiers,
but Mr.. Stewards trimming and shortsighted
policy frustrated the object. The red tape of
the State Department arrested our destiny and
the destiny of Mexico and has continued the
misery and troubles Of that republic. Even
European nations, inimical as they are to the
growth and power Of the United States, re-
preached us for want of foresight and wisdom
in not seizing the opportunity to absorb and
give peace to Mexico.


What is to be done nowp Only one thing,
and the sooner that be done the better. Either
establish protectorate over Mexico or annex
it. The latter would be BEST would save
future difficulties and would accomplish at once
what is inevitable. This would be mercy to
Mexico, and would make 1t a rich, prosperous
and great country. Some silly and sentimental
people might talk about national independence
and pretend to dread the extinction of Mexican
nationality, but this would be mere sentiment
ana numDuH. McAlCO WOuiu nave LOTe HO0OT
and glory in being part Of this great republic,
and her wealth and prosperity would be in
creased hundred fold. General Rosecrans is
going out there at the right time and is the
right man to accomplish this. Like General
Grant, he comprehends this necessary and old
Roman policy. The Mexicans, like the Car
thaginians when they were defeated by the
superior power of Rome, should gladly accept
their destiny, and should, as Carthage did,
send their generals, senators and great men to
treat with this second Roman republic for
unity and united future. This republic is
destined to be greater than Rome ever was.
1t will absorb all North America, from the
Isthmus Of Panama to the Arctic Circle, and
will count hundreds of millions of inhabitants.
1t will be continental Power, and, standing