Smyrna times., 1860-03-15
our Mexican Relations.

war with Mexico The maraudings of the
freebooter Cortinss, with his band. have been
cultivated 10 the point which calls for the in
terposition Of Gen. Houston on behalf Of the
State of sTexas; aud The prompt demand Of
Senator Wigfall, that The Federal Government
shall at onct appropriate some millions of dol
lars to pay the expense of Houston's cou:sm-
plated movements, indicates the manner in
which we are to be dragged into the impending
war. The appropriation will undoubtedly be
refused. but this viii not in the slightest de-
gree affsc, the result. 1t viii only afford an
additional pretext to the Texan fillibusters for
protecting themselves, crossing the frontier,
involving the two countries in actual bostili-
ties, and then turulng the whole affair over to
the General Government. saAt3ss ss
The Southern journals state that Houston is
about to place himself at the head of a thousand
men and to take possession of Matamoras,--and
that from that time forward ramaulipas will
be held as American soil. !.
The letter from Gov. Houston, which was
sent into the Senate day or two since, tends
to confirm the rumors already noticed concern
ing his intended action. After stating the diff
hcnltiss of the case, he says: /:
" The Executive of Texas is greatly desreus
TO avoid any course which might raise even
question as TO the proprieiy of his action. yot-
withstanding all his moderation and desire to
eschew an attitude unpleasant to him, he may,
in short time. be required 10 resort to the ia
defeasi5le right Of self defence TO project his
fetiotC-eitizens. He wilt 10 addition TO mani-
fest fofbearance, endeayor yet further to defer
the action of the Federal Government. But
matters new and startling arise, and he may
feel that his duty is to meet the emergency in
carrying his action SO far as to notoply repeI
the aggression from Mexico, but to adopt such
measures as viii preUeat The recurrence Of ST.
miliar inroads upon our fronlers, Texas can,
and will, if appealed 10, ID lhirty dsysbe able
to muster in the held thirty thousand men, WAC
are ,snxious, embarrassed as her finances are,
TO make reclamation upon Mexico for all her
wrongs. s'is
IL is yery easy to see the result of such a
movement, should it once take place. The
Federal Government would be compelled either
to coerce Texas into withdrawing from Mexico,
or to make com non cause with Texas aud thus
plunge the two countries into war. II is very
well to say thai Congress hasthe exclusive
right, under the Constitution. of declaring war,
but what does such a provision amount to in
the face of such action as Gen. Houston threat
ems TO take! -
II is clearly the duty Of the Executive, in the
first place, 10 put 'op 70 any such movement
as Gen. Houston meditaies, and then il is the
duty Of The Senate to place Gus relation with
Mexico upon permanent and satisfactory
footing. The Secretary Of War states that be
has already ordered troops to the frontier for
the purpose of protecting the people Of Texa,
against the incursions of Cortinas and his band
We hope the force will be sufficient for ths
object. sod that no pretext will be gwen or let
for the Governor Of Texas TO threaten any sucI
fllbuslering crusade as he suggests.
| We are confident, however. that the confirm
alton Of the McLane treaty affords the onI,
means of permanently preventing such an out
break. and Of preserving the peace Of the stw
countries. 1t would immediately give to III
rightful Government of Mexico the moral sup
port which it needs for The repression Of law
less movements upon Mexican soil. and woul
surround whatever other steps we mightfinl
/ necessary to take with the restrictions of la,
and the responsibilities Of national action.-
Without il. we are likely 10 be hurried mi
warby the lawless acts of fiIIibustsrs,te to expen
! millions of dollars 10 its prosecution, aud
{ have renewal Of the sectionak wrangIes
I 80. f. =. ~
: winch all our acquisitions of territory hav
d bithsrto been followed. Itseems TO US strang
that conservative men should hesitate for
$ moment as TO the course which il becomes the
e to lake.--N. Y. Times.