The case presented, however, is not merely a case of individual claims, although our just claims against Mexico have reached a very large amount; nor is it merely the case of protection to the lives and property of the few Americans who may still remain in Mexico, although the life and property of every American citizen ought to be sacredly protected in every quarter of the world; but it is a question which relates to the future as well as to the present and the past, and which involves, indirectly at least, the whole subject of our duty to Mexico as a neighboring State.  The exercise of the power of the United States in that country to redress the wrongs and protect the rights of our own citizens is none the less to be desired because efficient and necessary aid may thus be rendered at the same time to restore peace and order to Mexico itself.  In the accomplishment of this result the people of the United States must necessarily feel a deep and earnest interest.  Mexico ought to be a rich and prosperous and powerful Republic.  She possesses an extensive territory, a fertile soil, and an incalculable store of mineral wealth.  She occupies an important position between the Gulf and the ocean for transit routes and for commerce.  Is it possible that such a country as this can be given up to anarchy and ruin without an effort from any quarter for its rescue and its safety?  Will the commercial nations of the world, which have so many interests connected with it, remain wholly indifferent to such a result?  Can the United States especially, which ought to share most largely in its commercial intercourse, allow their immediate neighbor thus to destroy itself and injure them?  Yet without support from some quarter it is impossible to perceive how Mexico can resume her position among nations and enter upon a career which promises any good results.  The aid which she requires, and which the interests of all commercial countries require that she should have, it belongs to this Government to render, not only by virtue of our neighborhood to Mexico, along whose territory we have a continuous frontier of nearly a thousand miles, but by virtue also of our established policy, which is inconsistent with the intervention of any European power in the domestic concerns of that Republic.

The wrongs which we have suffered from Mexico are before the world and must deeply impress every American citizen.  A government which is either unable or unwilling to redress such wrongs is derelict to its highest duties.  The difficulty consists in selecting and enforcing the remedy.  We may in vain apply to the constitutional Government at Vera Cruz, although it is well disposed to do us justice, for adequate redress.  Whilst its authority is acknowledged in all the important ports and throughout the seacoasts of the Republic, its power does not extend to the City of Mexico and the States in its vicinity, where nearly all the recent outrages have been committed on American citizens.  We must penetrate into