The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-19
The News from the Rio Grande.

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The exciting occurrences on the Rio Grande
are of little practical consequence, for nothing
important is likely 10 follow from them. The
night surprise and capture of the Imperial gar
rison of Bagdad by an armed party from the
Texan side; the repeated demands for the sur
render of the Imperial gunboat Antonio, and
her repeated broadsdes in response; the moving
up the French fleet from the harbor OF Matamo-
ras which, at daylight, opened fire upon the
flibusters in Bagdad; and the marching orders
given TO the soldiers stationed at Matamoras,
show enough o f the teeth of war to quicken the
blood in Southwestern veins; but there is no
probability that these occurrences VIII embroil
US with France.
The men who crossed over from Texas were
mere hlibusters and their motive, doubtless, was
plunder and robbery. The, report represents
them to have beer negroes, which is improbable.
1t is more likely that they were negroes for the
nonce-whites who had disguised themselves by
blackening their faces. Their selection of the
night time for their exploit was perhaps to shield
themselves, under the cover of darkness, against
the vigilance of our troops as well as to take the
Imperial sentinels unawares, and surprise the
garrison.
These men have violated our laws; as much so
as did the famous Lopez expedition in 1850
against which the President of the United States
issued his proclamation, but which, neYerthe.
less, eluded our authorities and stole out of New
lected that General Quitman, then Governor of
Mississippi was indicted for abetting that ex-
petition, and resigned his Governorship to meet
the arrest. The same laws are in force now as
then; and this is an occurrence OF a similar
nature. AS it has taken place without the
priyity of our Government, and in spite of its
efforts to preserve the peace on the Rio Grande
1t can lead to nothing beyond demand for ex-
plantations; probably not even TO that
For, if our Government we're TO be held so far
responsible as to subject ii to such q demand by
whom would it be made Ii u trespass, it is
trespass against Mexico, whose territory has
been invaded in time OF peace. The only Gov
ernment which we recognize in Mexico IS not
likely 10 complain and that of Macmillan can
not for want OF any channel OF communication.
viii France complain? She would seem to have
precluded herself BY Jhe recently published
reply of the French Minister Of Foreign Affairs
10 Mr.. Bigelow. We were therein told that
France rs not responsible for things done in
Mexico; that If we had any grievances against
that country we must go for redress to its Gov
eminent Logically the converse of this rule
must hold equally good. II France declines TO
listen to our complaints against MaXimilian, ON
the ground that his is an Independent Govern
ment, capable OF ans weling for itself, she must
equally decline to listen to his complaints
against US, 1Or the same reason.
The fact that all channels of complaint are
thus closed should ever make us more scrupu-
lous In the Observance OF our appropriate duties.
The time may come when we shall feel COM
PEELED to go to war to eXpel the Austrian prince.
But that war, if iJ becomes necessary, must be
the deliberate act of our Government at time
selected by itself; not precipitated by band of
desperadOes and robbers, proceeding i'll viola
ton of our laws. If these men can be detected
and identified, they ought to be made an exam
pie of for the vindIcaton of the national Dig
nifty. But their disguise as negroes may render
identification impossible, and battle the efforts of
justice.
Such being the legal and international aspects
of this affair. one word may be added as to its
OOlltlCal Significance Sucn maraud1uu nVnndi.
tons, undertaken against pretended authorities
whose presence in Mexico is as irregular and
criminal as theirs, will feel little of the irfamy
which usually attaches to guilt. They will sane.
tify their designs OF plunder by the universal re.
pugnancc felt by this whole nation towards the
victims. Our execution OF the law will, there
fore, be sheer force, unsupported by moral inlu-
ence. The vlolators OF the law will secretly glory
IN their exploits. The thirst for booty will be
reinforced by the passion for adventure, and by
the expected sympathy of large classes at home.
The Emperor OF the French ought to see in such
attempts fresh proofs of the impossiblity of sus
tanning the Mexican empire, and to arrange his
plans Tor an early withdrawal. The recurrence
OF such expeditions will excite the passions and
feed the hopes of the Liberal party in Mexico,
and prevent tranquility so long as Macmillan
remains.
Since the accession of President johnson our
Government is pursuing q iudicious course to-
wards the bastard empire. II has unequivocally
slgnlhed It's intention never to recognize it; but Is
at the same time reluctant to assume an air of
menace until Napoleon has had reasonable
time Tor the withdrawal of his troops. Consider
ing the conniyance and countenance he received
from the preceding Administration, he is fairly
entitled to this degree of torbearance. Mr.. Sew-
ard, by defeating the Mexican loan, by his
affected blindness to the designs of France when
they were patent to the whole world, by his
violation OF neutrality in her favor and against
the MeMcans and in various other ways, gave
Napoleon good reasons for supposine that we
should acquiesce. Alter such announcement
given by our Government President johnson
acts on sense OF fairness IN his willingness to
smooth the way for an easy and apparently un-
constrained retreat.
The Sugar Prospect.
The Cincinnati (n1nrler,cinL snus.- Onr nd,rno