New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-26
ArraTAKEN POLICY.


telegraphic news from Washington can be
believed, thinks that the danger of war
between the United States and Mexico is
not SO great as it was few weeks ago.
This accounts, probably, for the fact that
Minister Nelson has been granted leave Of
absence to return to the United States on
short visit. Mr.. Fish is wrong in his
conclusion in one respect, at least. The
probabilities are now as great as ever that
the United States will have cause for wal
with Mexico, but the prospect is that this
cause will not be allowed to disturb our
relations between the two countries. MIR.
Fish does not desire war, and therefore
he says that it is not liable to occur, he
being made of the means to prevent it.
On the same suggestion, we need never
have any strife, because if the United
States does not elect to take up arms in
her own cause, she can be at peace for
ever. But the question arises will the
American people consent to let the Secre-
tary of State pursue the line of policy which
heevidently premeditates? Is not this gov
eminent bound to intervene in the affairs
of her neighbor when the rights OF our clti-
zens and the comfy Of nations are con-
stantly violated? For years the Ameri-
cans in Mexico have been subject to
abuses at the hands of the Mexican au-
thorities, the positive evidence of which
is to be found in the multitude of claims
preferred in behalf of these sufferers be-
fore the commission now sitting in Wash
ington. And this evidence is but mere
1.-THE of that which really exists, for hun
dreds of our people have never availed
themselves of the opportunity presented
by the commission for presenting their
claims for damages against Mexico. Some
of them are afraid to do SO lest they might
thereby incur other losses from the au-
thorities of Mexico in their business rela-
tons. Others have not chosen to undergo
the labor and expense of making up and
presenting claims. In the revolutions
that are constantly prevailing on the other
side of the Rio Grande forced loans are
an everyday occurrence. Americans are
subjected to these robberies in common
with the Mexicans, and where they refuse
to pay they are subjected to imprison-
ment This is known fact. And these
citizens are not only thus plundered, but
they are constrained to keep silent Nas to
the injuries inflicted upon them by the
authorities, out of apprehension Of worse
treatment if they protest against the in
Justice. And the slothfulness of the
United States in protecting her citizens
has discouraged these people from making
any effort to have their rights respected.
Is this to continue?
It may be said that if our people do
not desire to be maltreated in Mexico,
they should remain at home. This
would be good argument if the Mexi-
cans had not invited Americans to their
country, and had not bound themselves
by treaty stipulations to treat them with
Justice and honesty. 1t might also be
good if there were strong political and
commercial reasons why the United
States should seek the privilege for her
citizens of residence in the territories Of
her neighbors. Our trade relations re-
quire the presence Of our own merchants
in every State on the American continent,
aud especially in Mexico. We need
markets for our produce, and though this
is not strictly ethical justification for
intr1ding ourselves in countries where we
are not wanted, the civilization and law
of the age accept of it as valid excuse
for max ing treaties that guarantee the en-
forcement Of the privilege. And the
treaty being made, and the Mexicans be-
ing in full possession Of. its benefits SO far
as the United States is concerned, it is
only right that the United States should
see that her own citizens are protected by
Mexico as fully and fairly as Mexicans are
protected in this country.
As there is no hope that this result can
be achieved except by teaching the Mex
leans that they must deal with Americans
according to treaty stipulations, the de-
termination of Secretary Fish merely re-
solves into this, that the United States has
postponed the solution of this problem to
another season. All the causes why we
should be dissatisfied still prevail, even in
aggravated form, but the American gov
eminent has not the inclination at present
to correct them. The recent refusal of the
Mexican Congress to grant the right Of
way for railroad from the Rio Grande to
the Pacific coast is the evidence of hos
tile feeling against us. The neglect of
Mexico to protect our western frontier
from the raids of her cattle thieves and
wild Indians shows studied design on
her part to let our complaints against her
ineficiency go as our other grievances have
gone into the silence of contemptuous
disregard. MIR. Fish will find that his
policy will not receive the sanction of the
country.
SENSrTr2a m DJSHONCST