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


From he World
The exciting occurrences on the Rio Grande
are Of little practical consequence, for nothing
important is likely to follow from them. The
night surprise and capture of the Imperial gar
rson 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 broadsides in response; the moving
up the French feet from the harbor OF Matamo-
ras, which, at daylight, opened fire upon the
6ibusters in Bagdad; and the marching orders
given to the soldiers stationed at Matamoras,
show enough OF the teeth of war to quicken the
blood in Southwestern veins but there is no
probability that these occurrences will embroil
us with France. t ilt' tI-
The men who crossed over from Texas were
mere hlibusters, and their motive, doubtless, was
plunder and robbery. The report represents
them to have been negroes, which is improbable
1t is more likely that they were negroes for the
nonce--whites who had disguised themselves by
backening 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
garr son.
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 mis- proclamation, but which, neverthe.
less, eluded our authorities and stole out OF New
Orleans On It's ill-iated errand 1t will be recol-
lected that General Quitman, then Governor of
Mississippi, was indicted for abetting that ex-
petition, and resgred his Governorship to meet
the arrest. The same laws are in force now as
then; and this is an occur ence OF a similar
nature AS it has taken place without the
prvity 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 10 that.
For, II our Government were to be held so far
responsible as to subject it to such demand, by
whom would it be made If a trespass, 1t is
trespass against Mexico, whose territory has
been invaded in time of peace The only Gov.
eminent which we recognize in Mexico is not
likely 10 complain, and that OF Macmillan can
not, for want of any channel OF communication.
Will France complain She would seem to have
precluded herself by the recently published
reply of the French Minister OF Foreign Affairs
to Mr.. Bigelow. We were therein told that
France is not responsible for things done in
Mexico; that if we had any grle vanCes against
that country we must go for redress TO It's 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 answering Tor itself, she must
equally decline to listen TO his complaints
against us, iOr the same reason.
The fact that all channels of complaint are
thus closed should even make us more scrupu-
lous in the observance OF our appropriate duties.
The time may come when we shall feel COM
pGllGu 10 20 W WdT W 6Aptl bu6 AuSlIldu pIluCGs
But that war, if iC becomes necessary, must be
the deliberate act of our Government, at time
selected by itself; not precipitated by band of
desperadoes and robbers, proceeding Ill viola.
ton of our laws. If these men can be detected
and identified, they ought to be made an exam
pie of, for the vindication of the national dig
nifty. But their disguise as negroes may render
Identification impossible, and bai1le the efforts of
Justice.
Such being the legal and international aspects
OF this affair, one word may be added as to its
political significance. Such maraudlng eXpedi-
tions, undertaken against pretended authorities
whose presence in Mexico is as irregular and
criminal as theirs will feel little of the ipfamy
which usually attaches to guilt. They viii sane
tity their designs OF plunder by the universal re-
pugnance felt by this whole nation towards the
| victims. Our execution of the law will, there
| FORE be sheer force, unsupported by moral inhu-
ence The violators OF the law will Sc cretly 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 impossbility 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 tine Liberal party in Mexico
and prevent tranquility so long as Maximilian
| remains.
Since the accession of President johnson our
| Government is pursuing iudicious course to
wards the bastard empire. II has unequivocally
sisniied ITS intention never to recognize 1t; buti
| at the same time reluctant to assume an air o
menace until Napoleon has had a reasonable
| time tor the withdrawal OF his troops. Consider
ing the connivance 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 hi
affected blindness to the designs of France wher
they were patent to the whole world, by hi
violation of neutrality in her favor and agains
the Mexicans, and in various other ways, gavt
Napoleon good reasons for supposine that W,
should acquiesce. Alter such encouragement
given by our Government, President johnson
acts on a sense OF fairness IN his Willingness t.
smooth the way for easy and apparently un
constrained retreat.
The Sugar Prospect.