Imatges de pàgina
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mexico, as of an Spanish countries, is the absence of the commercial principle, that great conservator of peace and internal tranquillity. This arises in a great degree from the indolence of the people, but in a greater degree from the jealous policy of the Spanish rulers, who have uniformly discouraged the commercial and industrial operations of enterprising foreigners among them. The system of laws applicable to com

VOL. XXI.-NO, CXIII.

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Postmaster, Boston Mas

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Engraved for the Dear ocratic Review by Umal & Sor

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Ir is now two months since, in treating of the Mexican War as it then existed, we professed ourselves incredulous of any peace to be arrived at by accommodation, and urged the necessity of a vigorous prosecution of the war, with a view to the occupation of the country by a sufficient force of United States troops. By the term " occupation," we do not understand the direct and permanent annexation of the country to the United States. For such a promotion in the scale of humanity, the Mexican race are by no means fitted. Great as is our reverence for the people at large, and respectful as all ought to be to their opinions, we may look in vain among the popu lace of the Mexican states, for that activity of intellect and vigilant intelligence necessary to those who would govern themselves. A people who are too proverbially indolent to pursue industrial employments, and too dishonestly envious to permit others to enjoy the fruit of their own industry, would make unprofitable and dangerous inmates of our political family. A long course of probation is necessary so to regenerate them in their habits and views, as to make them worthy of self-government. This process of regeneration they should go through on their own account, and under their own government. This government should be composed as far as possible of native Mexicans to the exclusion of the Spaniards; to guarantee which, an American army should occupy the country at its expense, until such time as a system of entire free trade, scrupulous administration of justice, and undoubted security to property, shall have developed the commercial principle to its fullest extent, and the whole race of military bandits shall have been rooted out. When commercial and industrial interests have become so strong as to rally round and support the government, the United States troops may be withdrawn, and Mexico for the first time become really a great and independent nation.

The curse of Mexico, as of all Spanish countries, is the absence of the commercial principle, that great conservator of peace and internal tranquillity. This arises in a great degree from the indolence of the people, but in a greater degree from the jealous policy of the Spanish rulers, who have uniformly discouraged the commercial and industrial operations of enterprising foreigners among them. The system of laws applicable to com

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