The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-05

The boundary dispute between Mexico anC
the United States may become troublesome
Commissioner Bartlett in attempting to rur
the line thirty. four miles further north than
the Surveyor, Mr.. Gray, and Colonel Graham
of the scientific corps, insisted was the true
line, was sustained by Mr.. Stewart, late Secre
tary of the Interior But Mr.. Mason of the
Senate, made a report against his proceeding
and Congress stopped the supplies Of tho
Boundary Commission so that the line, it is
alleged, was left undetermined, and the CUES.
ton of boundary undisposed Of Since then
the Mexicans if we understand it have been
in possession Of the territory, which they re.
gard rs part of the State of Chihuahua
and it was not to be expected that any attempt
to eject them forcibly would be made till the
two Governments had come to definite un-
derstanding on the question. But Governor
Lane, from some cause or other, has thought
proper to assume power, and, without any in
structions from Washington as he admits, has
issued his proclamation, claiming the territory
as a part of New Mexico and calling upon the
| United States officers to take forcible posses
sion Of it. With commendable moderation and
discretion they have refused to comply with
his request, and thereby probably prevented a
collision with Mexico. Clearly, the act of
Governor Lane is ndefensible. 1t is not for
the Governor of Territory to settle the ques-
ton of boundary; that right belongs exclu-
10 to tha he fail
ure of the late Administration to do its duty
affords no ground for this gross assumption of
power by a petty functionary. Let the pres
ent Administration keep the question under its
own exclusive control Its duty is to make
provision in accordance with the treaty for
running the boundary line, in conjunction with
commissioners appointed by Mexico. 1t is
not for either country to decide arbitrarily
and exclusively for ITSELF unless it has made
up its mind to disregard the claims and pro-
woke the hostility of the other. What the
Administration cannot and will not do, it will
hardly authorize Governor Lane to do. The
Union, with its characteristic want of magma
nimity, charges all who condemn the rash con-
duct of that officer, with "having espoused
the cause of Mexico "a mean appeal to pop
ular prejudice
The attempts of the Catholic hierarchy to
secure the ascendency of Popery in this coun-
try are begetting trouble in all quarters. Ma
ryland is agitated to such an extent that old
political combinations begin to give way. The
Catholics insist upon change in the time
honored public school system, by which por-
ton of the school fund shall be appropriated
for the support of Catholicity. They wish the
sectarian principle to be recognised and sus-
tanned by the Government. Being principally
Democrats, they are making strong efforts to
secure the nomination of Catholic candidate
for Governor five out of the six pressed for
the candidateship, are Catholics. Protestants,
since the question is made, are avowng their
purpose to vote for q Protestant without re-
gard to party. For this introduction of the
sectarian element into politics, foreign priests
and Jesuits are responsible.
Cincinnati is again disturbed by their move
completely overthrown in the municipal cleo
tons, but Mr. Snelbaker, lately elected mayor,
seems disposed to play into their hands. A few
days ago, he forbade Protestant minister to
preach in the streets, on the pretext that his
sermon would have tendency to excite riot
against the Catholics. The preacher dsre-
garded the mandate, but was forced to desst
by the mayor and his police. In the afternoon
of the same day, Catholic procession of from
five to ten thousand men, with badges, ban
nors flags and large number of bands,
marched through the streets, to lay the corner
stone Of a Catholic church, blocking up the
way, and interrupting Protestant church.
goers, the Catholic church bells ringing all
the time. This demonstration, calculated, in
fact, to excite the public and provoke popular
violence, was encouraged and protected by the
mayor and his police. AS might be expected
the community was ncensed an immense pub
lie meeting was held, and n committee of one
hundred citizens was appointed to wait upon
the mayor, and request his immediate resigna-
ton. His conduct was ill-judged partial, and
tyrannical. If he had authority to stop the
street preaching of Protestant, on the ground
that it might lead to riot he had authority
to prevent the ostentatious procession Of the
Catholics on the same gNInd and there was
certainly stronger reason for action in the lat
ter case than in the former, the provocation to
popular violence being greater. 1t is high
time he should resign. All religions, all sects,
stand on an equal footing in this country, 80
far as law is concerned; all have right to
equal protection but We want no officers who
will prostitute. themselves to the special pro-
lection and support of foreign priestcraft
The Cincinnati papers bring intelligence of
the death of Judge Burnet, one Of the Oldest
inhabitants of that city, in his eighty-second
year. He was native of Newark, New Jer-
sey for many years Judge of the Supreme
Court Of Ohio and part of a term United
States Senator.
The Washington arrangement for harmoni-
zing affairs in Louisiana, has at last been con-
summated by the election of John Slidell, as
Senator from the State of Louisiana.
The PACIFIC STATESMAN is the title of new
weekly paper, commenced in San Francisco
California, by a joint stock company, under the
editorial charge of J. H. Purdy, formerly editor
of a newspaper in Xenia, Greene county, Ohio
The first number evinces talent and principle
of higher order than are found generally in
the California papers. 1t goes against the in
PRODUCTION of slavery, against Cooe immgra-
ton, against land and labor monopoly, under
any form. 1t is guarded in its language re-
specting slavery more so than we could wish