The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-20
The Tchuantepcc Question.

Inc article from the washington hfpubiic, while
we briefly notice in another column, with regard t.
the well known Tehuantepec question, is q docu-
ment calculated to draw the serious at nton Of Ill
countries and all governments; for it must not b
imagined that the words of a newspaper are Of to-
little weight to deserve such notice He who woul
entertain such idea little knows the spirit of thu
age in which we live; and We hope shall not in.
cur the charge of boastful conceit, when We state
that ut all times, and in every country the press
exercises potent influence on the direction Of pub
lie opinion. and even on the course of affairs. This
influence and this Importance naturally have their
limits. Doubtless the doctrines sought be propa-
gated by some obscure and despisea journals do not
meet, and do not deserve to meet, with any inside
rabe attention; but yet, even in this case it would
not be wise to repute the exposition of such ideas
ms totally Insignificant. If, for instance, the doc.
tIipes LAID dc wn by the Republic were the property
OF the Sun, HERALD, or Deta, and published by
these sheets, we might perhaps hesitate before I'M
dertaking task of which wo are well nigh
weared-that is, showing the emptiness Of their
sopbisms The case, however, as it now presents
iiselt, is wioely different. The Republic even here,
journal, Of wise and moderate opinions it occupies
very high and respectable station in the press, and
represents the sentiments and opinions of that por-
ton OF the public which s Supposed to be most in.
clned TO favor The max,ms OF justice and national
right. The radical change Of doctrine which is to
be noticed in the case of this sheet cannot
but be at once noticed by the most super
fetal observer What the origin of this change
from sudden conversion, or it may be, that
it deems the time favorable for throwing Off
the mask; and, as the words Of the London Times
are entitled to quite rs much consideration those
Of any second rate orator of the British Parliament,
so must We listen to the words of the Republic with
more Difference and attention than we would bestow
on The discourse OF any one Of the pOtanum cAgus
oftbe Senate or House of Representatives
It is not that We would apply ourselves TO the lie
task Of refui,g the singular prstensions and threat
bare theories 30 cooy exponnded by brethren Of
tine pen Heretofore, the annals OF the world have
been rich III acts Of injustice; this, Heaven kuows,
underable it is less that it is not this age Of
ouTs that appears destined to reform the world in
tits respect: That might makes right has long held
good and always does when its exercise is un attend
ed by danger. Force never hesitaes to satiate its
appetite when it can do so without peril md when
it can do SO i. but little for the vain show of
appearances Formerly, indeed, custom demanded
that IT should seek for pretext for its exercise,
very shallow at times; but yet, however vain and
absurd in most instances, i. showed some repug.
nance 10 violate the laws Of propriety and decOrum
Even the wolf Of the fable, before devourDg the
lamb, accused its victim OF disturbing the current Of
the stream wherein they were both about quenehing
their thirst
Among the barbarian hordes it was the fashion
for Warriors to wrap themselves up in sullen dignity
and to aege no reason but the point of their spear
But THIS ess, Dtlally cool and calculating age ha
improved upon this practice, and to it belongs tn,
konor OF having to make system of the pracnce Of
robbery The possession OF Tebuantepec is advan-
tsgecus to the United States, the Republic thinks,
and basDg heir position on this, they are inclined
to deprive Mexico of her right, and to possess them.
selves OF the prey with without the consent of
lawful masters. Such is, in reality, the reasoning
OF the Republic. and the only which it addlcss
in support OF its claim; and yet would ask, could
not The highwsyman or the wretched pickpook et,
urged on perhaps by poverty, distress and hunger,
to commit some trivial laroeny-coud not either OF
these seek to excupete himself by alleging the same
shntx~ ~ - al
tce! And would the Republic, if called upon as
ms gistrate. to decide in snch case, ACCEPT such
reasons ms valid! We think not; and yet such are
the men on whose level it. Of It's own free WILL places
itself
But we cannot and do not believe that manner,
so sDbversiye Of Gil order and justice can be adyanc-
ed with impunity, or become current without meet
Ing with reproba,ion and repression, and without
awskiDg The vigilance OF those who can and must
bride such efforts. The article Of the Times, re.
produced some few days since in our columns see ms
70 be prospective answer to this, and may serve A.
M index OF the saIutary reaction now about taking
place IN Europe, and whose fruits, it is hoped, will
soon be perceived and felt There is sense of du y
which impeis this reaction, and instinct Of per-
sonsl safety which gives this impulse strength. So
cety, which has enjoyed security and res. dur ng 20
many centuries, by observing certain rules binding
barrier to be removed. and thus cause the civilized
world to be thrown helpless in the conflict of the
most brutal appetites. The elasticity of the aew
system is equal TO the corruption of It's teSchines
ard who can deem himself free from the dangers Of
necessity which, instigated by coyetousness, is its
Own judge and its own chanpionl