The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-03
The Revolution In Mexic0-BOrder Diff
cult!es and Necessity of Intervention by
the United States.

the United states.
The end of anything like national govern
ment in Mexico is evidently approaching.
Juarez, in all probability, is the last of the
Presidents over that republic, as it existed
some time before the French invasion and
since the fall of Macmillan. Our latest news
from the Rio Grande border confirms the intel
ligsnce previously received from our corre-
spondents, that the revolutonsts are too
powerful for the federal government at the
city Of Mexico, and that its utter rout is immi-
nent. The report had arrived at Tampico that
the important city of San Luis Potosi had
been captured by the revolutionary General
Treviho, though the government had force
OF four thousand men there and had
made the greatest efforts to send ample rein
forcements. 1t has been apparent for some
weeks past that the revolutonsts had much
larger force than the government concentrate
ing upon San Luis, and that the government
was unable to raise men aud means to- cope
with its enemy. San Luis u.s. probably, the
most important place in the republic, both in.
military and political point of view, next to
the city of Mexico. 1t is in the centre of the re-
public, and, in strategical point of view,
cuts off the whole tier of the northern States
from the capital. The capture of this place
will be likely to lead to the conquest ulti-
mately of the whole republic by the revolu-
tionists. Should Juarez, however, be able to
hold the city of Mexico and the States south
| OF that for some time the chances are that an
independent republic, composed of the
northern States, or, perhaps, several small
| republics, may be established At all events we
consider the old federal republic of Mexico, as it
existed at the time of Maximian's overthrow.
doomed and incapable of being reconstructed
and perpetuated
Admitting for the sake of argument that the
aim of the revoutionists is only to overthrow
Juarez and to change the personnel of the gov
ernment who can believe that the rival chiefs
would harmonize and sustain any other Presi-
dent? This would be contrary to experience
and not in accordance with the history of
Mexico and all the other Spanish American
republics. Porfrio Diaz, if not dead, might
be put in the place of Juarez, or Lerdo de
Tejada or some other prominent man but
that would not satisfy the ambition Of the
numerous generals, governors Of States and
other revolutionary leaders who now exercise
independent authority and are looking more
to their own selfish objects than the welfare of
their country. There is no patriotism in the |
hostility to Juarez. Say he has held the Office |
of President longer than he ought according to |
strict IF tnf ho
was forced to do so under extraordinary cir
cumstances and to save the country when in
perilous crisis. Of all the Presidents of Mexico
he has been the most thorough representative of
the people and unity of the republic. If he
cannot satisfy the Mexicans, at least till the
present term Of his Office would expire, we do
not see who can. There are causes of COM
plant, doubtless, in his administration, as |
there may be for his usurpation of unconstitu- |
tional authority; but the revolutionary chiefs
who are endeavoring to overthrow him are
simply ambitious rivals. The revolution, prob
ably, will be successful, but that will not
bring peace or a stable government to
Mexico.
In the chaos that is inevitable in Mexico
who or what party is the United States to re-
cognize as the proper governing power? Who
is to maintain peace and good neighborhood
on our border, and to afford satisfaction for in
juries to our citizens and commerce? Who
are we to look to for carrying out treaty obi
cations? Even now the Juarez government
cannot perform these duties, and there is little
hope that the revolutionists, if successful, will
be either willing or able to do So Our citizens
in Texas, as appears from the special telegram
published in this paper yesterday, have been
compelled to organize to protect themselves
from the depredations of Mexican desperadoes.
Wanting protection from their own govern
ment, they are contemplating making reprisals
on Mexican territory. The feeling against the
Mexicans is very bitter. 1t looks as If there
were to be border war between the Texans
and Mexicans. Such conflict must in the
end lead to trouble between Mexico and the
said before, of the Mexican authorities being
either able or willing to prevent invasion of
our territory and robbery and other crimes
upon our citizens on the border of the Rio
Grande.
The Mexcans are, naturally, an amable
and kindly disposed people; but they are in
capable of self government. Their revolu-
tons and fighting factions of half century
have fastened the evils of anarchy upon them,
as delirium tremens, after years of Incorporate
indulgence in alcohol, is fastened upon the
confirmed whiskey drinker. Moreover, the
great body of the Mexican people are Indians,
or mostly Of Indian descent The unadulter-
ated Spanish element represents but small