Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-23

GMANDE--WHAT ~ TEOU6WT OF
TT M THE NEW York PRESS.
The Express says that the recent stirring
news from the Rio Grande, recounting the
capture Of French garrison by band of
fillibusters organized upon United States
territory, created lively sensation in New
York. II was the topic everywhere, and
everybody was asking his neighbor What
would be the consequence" AWould the
United States troops at Brownsville back up
the fillibustersgo @Would the fillibusters,
if worsted by the Imperislists, re-cross to
Texas ~ and Would the former be impru-
dent enough to follow themT What
would be the effect in France ?7-" Would
the news Of the capture Of the Bagdad gar
rison, and the hostile demonstration on an
imperial gHnboat, stir up the French "Jile'
and, under that stirring up, Would the
Emperor be moved to do something to COM
plicate the situation rn These, and many
othexauestions, were put and discussed;
The men who crossed over from Texas were
mere fllibusters and their motive. doubtless, was
plumber and robbery. The report represents them
more likely that they were negroes for the nonce
whites who had disguised themselves by black
ing their faces. Their selection Of the night time
for their exploit was perhaps TO shield themselves
of our troops as well 10 take the Imperial SEN
tinels unawares. and surprise the garrison
These men have violated our laws, as much so
as did the famous Lopez in 1880 against which the
President Of the United States issued his pro-
clamation, but which. nevertheless. eluded our
authorities and stole oct Of New Orleans on its
ouitman. then ben Governor oi Mississippi was in
dicted for abetting that expedition, and resigned
his Governorship to meet the arrest The same
laws are in force now as then and TINS Is an oc-
place without the privity OF our GOVERNMENT,
and in spite of its efforts to preserve the peace on
the Rio Grande, it can lead to nothing beyond
demand for explanations-probably not even to
that.
far responsible as 10 subject il to such demand.
BY whom would il be nader ifatrespass, It Is a
trespass against Mexico, whose territory has been
invaded in time of peace. The only government
whom zoe recognize in Mexico is not likely to
complain and that OF Maxlminah cannon l 81
France complain? She would seem to have pre-
cluded herself by the recently published reply of
the French Minister Of Foreign Affairs to MT,
not responsible for things done in Mexico; that If
we had any grievances against that country we
taust go for redress to its government Logically,
the converse of this rule must hold equally good.
If France declines to listen to our complaints
against Macmillan. On the ground that has IS an
independent government, capable Of answering
for ITSELF she must equally decline to listen to hss
complaints against u.s. for the same reason.
The fact that all channels OF complaint are
thus closed. should make Us even more scrupu-
lous in the observance of our appropriate du-
ties. The time may come when we may feel com
PEELED TO go TO war to expel the Austrian Prince.
But that war, If it becomes necessary, must be the
deliberate act Of our government, at time Sc
lected by ITSELF not precipitated by band of des
peradoes and robbers, proceeding in violation OF
our laws. Ifthese men can be detected and lden-
tilted, they ought TO be made an example Of, for
the yindication of the national dignity: But their
disguise as negroes may render Identification i'm
possible. and battle the efforts OF Justice
The Ncps sees much graver consequences
to follow, than seemingly does the World.
Indeed, viewed in connection with the tone
and substance of the diplomatic correspon-
dence recently published, between this gov
eminent and that of France, the editor
thinks it almost prophetic of foreign war.
We quote:
imilian, and our relations with Napoleon in re-
gard 10 Mexican affairs. will not admit of such
rough demonstrations as have been reported from
the Rio Grande II vii be dliiiealt for Mt sew
can Empire in the hands of M. Drouyn L'hnys. to
convince that not over able diplomat that the
capture Of Bagdad, and of its Imperial garrison,
was not inspired BY the policy Of this Govern
ment. OF course, the Administration will depre-
cate such acts Of violence and will seek to be alb
solved from responsibility for the ofenses of So
called fllibustering expedition; but when force
organized, armed apa equipped in one of the
United States, invades the territory claimed by
Macmillan, and inaugurates an offensive cam
Of his garrisoned towns. something more than an
apology will be demanded. Napoleon will claim,
not without reason, that the presence Of a large
Federal army upon the Mexican frontier, with or
servance Of strict neutrality, If such were the
instructions and purpose OF those IN command
II the flhbusters, or any OF them, be captured by
the Imperialists. they will be undoubtedly marched
away to immediate execution. Should they escape
back into Texas, Macmillan, In default Of their
delivery into his power. viii hold this Government
for their deeds. In either case there
would be engendered a popular excitement. mu-
tual resentments, passion, vndictiveness, defiance
and retaliation.
toorganizc such expeditions that which resulted
in the capture of Bagdad. The dignity of our
nationality is married and its interests injured by
Ihese Wild schemes OF irresponsible and reckless
and unsettled condition of the country. would be
misfortune than which mono greater can befall
~. except the loss of honor and position among
he nations, If to sustain the principles aud in
ure the future safety OF the Republic u be neces-
AIRY TO measure our strength with foreign powers,
ct the issue be met openly and firmly. as becomes
Intelligence to appreciate their obligations and
he strength and courage to fulfil them: Our Gov
'rnment has taken a firm stand upon the Mexican
question, and for that very reason II is important
hat every effort should be made TO avoid unneces-
airy provocations. Ifthere must be war, let us
lot drift into il upon the capricious current of
CURSE with all sail set, keen eye on the COM
lass. and n steady hand on the helm"
The Tribune calls attention to the fact that
he "Major General Crawford who figures
n the fray, is an ex-oflicer Of the United
'tates army, who has recei, ed a commits
ion as Majop General in the Republican
iexican army, and has engaged to raise an
American Division" of volunteers for the
ause Of the Mexican Republic; also, the
lrther fact, that just previous to the affair
t Bagdad, reports from brownsville (the
of the United States Army,)
tated that the enlistment in his corps was
Ding on briskly. The news now at hand
ne editor speaks Of as ''the first exploit of |
ais Crawford army"
The Times Herald and Journal Of Com
erce have nothing to say on the subject.
The Courier des Etas Unis 1.-THE Napoleonic
ryan at New York; publishes the New
rleans dispatches, with some predatory re-
larks rejecting upon the conduct of the
ederal 60. S. authorities on the Rio
rande. The filibusters it speaks of as
Duccan GERS" who have commenced their
ork as if with the encouragement rather
ian condemnation of the United States.
lie Courier likewise alludes TO the signif-
mt fact that, simultaneous with this news,
r. Chandler, in the United States Senate,
ould be calling for information as to the
olation of neutrality by the Mexican
rces on the line of the Rio Grande. The
itor intimates that il the Senator would
mend his resolution, so as to make il refer
the violation of neutrality on the north
r Texas bank Of that river, it would be
out right. (The unanimity with which
o Senafe renonded To the "calln IL Ike |