Wilmington journal., 1860-02-16
Our Mexican Frontier.

We do not know under which of the " governments
of Mexico the department OF Tamaulpas ranges itself
under suppose from which any satisfaction car
be obtained by diplomatic measures. The City Of Mat
amoros once occupied by American troops seems des
rous of being again occupied for, most assuredy, the
brgand Cortinas is sustained by the Mexican popula
tion occupying the South West bank of the Rio Grande
and he always retreats to the Mexican side OF that stream
when pushed by the people by the troops OF the State
of Texas, or Of the Union.
The latest accounts show that parties the Mexican
side of the river acting under the shelter of the Mex
can flag, have fired upon an American steamer while
navigating the Rio Grande, and also that Mexicans
have fired over from the Mexican sde upon the forces
of COL Ford, occupying the American side, killing one
man. COL Ford had crossed over in pursuit of the ag
gressors
Now, whether the authorities of the department real
" sympathise with Cortinas not-whether they au.
thorized the firing upon an American steamer or not
the effect is the either way, far as the safety
and honor of American citizens is concerned
nation is certainly answerable for the abuse
of its own flag upon its own so and the authority
its government has sunk low that it cannot be SO
answerab it has ceased to be government and forfeit
ed all claim to be so recognized We think this is
if not, indeed throughout the whole country. There
being neither law responsible authority the United
States must for the protection of her flag and her ci
zens take the law in her own hand and exert just
much authority and much force may be necessary
to compel these semibarbarans to respect rights
bas~ The North Carolina University Magazine for
February has just come to hand 1t contains bio
graphical sketch and portrait of the late Jas G. Dob
bin. The sketch is written by JAS Banks Esq., late of
Fayetteville. We make the following extract, which
WILL we hope be of value to many of our young men,
To take pattern after Mr. Dobbin will oe no disgrace.
He had no enemies
Mr.. Dobbin called to the bar in 1885, and having
taken office Fayetteville he devoted himself assduous
y to the strict and energetic pursuit of his profession
Whether clients called not he during business hours
always IN his Office and this remarkable regularity
the foundation of his professional success
He did not too many young lawyers do select large
circuit in the outset but wisely husbanded his and en-
ergies for faithful discharge of chamber practice and
attendance upon the County and Superior Courts of Cum
berland Sampson and Robson His theory was, "let a
build up reputation at home-let it radiate pre-
Cede him. rather than that he should precede it. By acting
upon this theory, every extension his circuit
bled triumph than an effort to
The first capital in which he appeared was where
negro indicted in the Superior Court of Cumberland
1884, for the killing of another negro He had the honor
be associated in the defence with the Hon. Robert Strange
who had just been elected the Senate of the United States
and had resigned his upon the Bench the manage
UopDn dlspIayed greaU g1uurUy,
his arguments to the jury evidence of those peculiar
talents that afterwards ranked him among the most
full criminal advocates in North Carolina.
We know of lawyers history encouraging and in
srucve the young members of the profession than that
of Mr. Dobbn. No accidental circumstance occurred by
which he seized fame by single effort No case can
be cited that which made the His practice
putatcn daily increased by his faithful discharge of duty
He was content to labor and to wait >"