The union Democrat., 1855-10-13
The War Of Races.


Much complaint has lately been made by ,he
Mexican population in our midst, in reference 70
the action of certain parties who claim to be
invested with authority as members of Com.
mittees of Vigilance. We confess we have given
the subject too little attention, satisfied as VA
are that wrong has been inflicted upon innocent
persons in the name of that sort Of justice which
| is appeased by violence. The undisguised FEEL
| ing which prevails to great extent among oar
mining population against all foreigners does not
stop to consider that the Mexican people held
rights and interest here long before cur laws were
| substituted for theirs; and although we boast Of
the freedom we brought to the Pacific shores the
| occupants we found here often have just cause
! TO complain Of our encroachments end our in.
| tolerance. The genuine American feeling should
| pride itself On its liberality and magnanimity,
instead of exercising disposition to override awe.
and crush the weak. The rights Of the humblest,
as well as the greatest, should be held alike Sa-
cred. That there are bad Mexicans, their own
people know, and frankly confess, yet let them
be held amenable Ia the law. Ii is not Of the
law, but of violence, the Mexicans complain
and who in any community, whose boast is tho
supremacy of civil law, does not alike deprecate
violence We are not Of those who recognize
either the right or the proprety of any selEcon.
stituted committee to step forward as judges and
executioner The mob may sometimes be right
and there are instances of fragrant outrage where
popular opinion will support it; yet the prece,
dent is perncous one, and the spirit, ii un.
checked is dangerous to liberty, and disastrous
to the peace Of society.
In the La Cromica, of the 30th ult., we find
petition of our Mexican citizens addressed to
the Deputy Mexican Consul at San Francisco,
on this subject. Mr.. Bolton has referred the
matter to the Mexican Minister at Washington
The petitioners above alluded to, after recur-
ring to the many illegal arrests of their country.
men by selfconstituted conservators of the pub.
lice peace, say: 1--WE do not ask that these Grim
inals should be pardoned. We do not assert that
they are not guilty of crime All we require is
law and order; and we believe We have perfect
right to demand that our citizens be delivered to
the proper authorities, that their cause may bc
publicly judged according to the laws. If in this
country we are never to have any guarantee to
life or property; if we are not to live beneath
the protection of the authorities and the laws,
it would be better that they fix Gpon some time
for our entire expulsion and the world will then
know which is the guarantee that the foreigner
has in this country, aud the manner in which trea-
ties made with friendly foreign nations are COM
piled with.
I" In the commerce, mining, agriculture and
arts are daily seen by innumerabe number Of
Mexicans assisting although perhaps on small
scale, to develope the riches of this country;
but none are free Ono matter how well known
their occupation may be- from the danger of being
sacrificed by Lynch Law or from being the nnno-
cent victims of the simple will of any member Of
the vigilance committee, who, deying the authori-
ties, commit sweeping vengance upon the help
less"