The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-28


Napoleon and Bismarck, and do violence to
public order BY wantonly seizing the govern
ment of an Independent republic.
The problem is higher onei The condi-
ton of Mexico is menace to the United
States. Our people have not thought So.
We have pardoned everything to its weak
moss. That Macmillan business and the belief
that In some way our government, under Mr..
Lincoln, threw itself against Juarez and tried
to elbow him out Of the country, have disposed
US to give the Indian President chance.
Because Mexico was weak we never believed
she could do us harm. We saw during the
rebellion that she was used to our injury, that
her borders were depots of rebel supplies.
that French army occupied her capital and
became the ally of the rebels, that Matamoros,
on the Rio Grands, was q rebel naval station
covered by q neutral flag, and that the
actual aid given to the confederacy by
Mexico, or, rather, by reason Of Mexico, cost
our treasury hundreds of millions. We at
tributed that to the French and Macmillan,
but are we any better2 Our border is now
virtually in condition of war because of
Mexico. A Mexican general is levying war
against the United States. Armed bands Of
Mexicans prowl along our frontier. I'm
munity has made these men bold, and for
seven years they have continued their depre-
datons. Millions of dollars of property have
been taken by ''Indians" who are citizens Of
Mexico. Our revenue officers have been
murdered. Law has lost its power, so that
even United States judge hesitated to punish
men for smuggling. In Monterey Ameri-
can citizens are compelled 10 pay forced loans,
and an American Consul is in prison. This
cannot be attributed to any foreign interven-
ton. Macmillan is in his grave. Napoleon's
sceptre no longer shadows the republic. The
French have had more impressive experiences
at Sedan and Gravelotte. Juarez is as much
the master of Mexico as any ruler that ever
sat In its capital. No revolution has shaken
him from his seat. He is by all odds the most
capable ruler that ever presided over Mexi-
can destinies. He holds all the authority
that exists, and yet his authority is para
lyzed. He cannot rule the country, and be-
cause of his helplessness and our good will to
Mexico and our desire to see republic estab-
lished and our sympathy with this patient,
well-meaning, helpless Juarez we have SUBJ
mitted to indignity, to plumber, and are now
submitting to war;
1t is war, whatever view we take of it And
the question comes, can the President be true
to his oath of Office and submit to this war
Can he preserve the public peace and execute
the laws and maintain the nations dignity
while an armed force is committing hostilities
upon our borders? Is it an excuse that Mex
leo is helpless? Must we submit to war be-
cause the enemy is on neutral soil and under
a friendly flag? No soil is neutral and no flag
is friendly which protect the enemies of our
peace. Suppose company of mutineers were
to capture Cunard steamer and to enter New
York harbor under the English flag and begin
to rob our ships, would we be deferred from
opening our guns upon her because Of
the English flag? War is war, and must be
resented and suppressed and punished in what
ever shape it comes. If we saw any DISPOSE
ton or any power in Mexico to suppress these
acts of war we should be patient, and content
ourselves with defensive preparations and
remonstrances. But what right has Mexico to
impose upon us the necessity Of arming the
Rio Grande and lining our Texas frontier with
troops? The danger exists. 1t is radical.
We are at the mercy Of Mexico when at peace
with other nations; at the mercy Of whoever
occupies her country in time of war. Canada
is within our military lines. The population
along our northern border could occupy
Canada in sixty days. But our southern bor-
der is sparsely settled. The people can
not protect themselves. The country
is so wide and open and exposed Tat to
defend it would require small army. Mexican
ports are within easy access of our Southern
coast, and would become in time of war as
Nassau aud Bermuda during the rebellion.
Unless we mean to keep an army and large
navy we must consider our Mexican frontier
as an open door. 1t is 50 widely open now
that General Cortinas and a following OF
soldiery enter Texas and rob and slay at
their humor.
When the bandits of Marathon murdered GER
tain English travellers England exacted from
Greece summary revenge and large indem-
nifty. Greece pleaded the excuse of Mexico
''helplessness" and ''good intentions" it
was not heard. English gentlemen should not
be murdered with impunity because Greece was
under a weak government. When the King
of Abyssinia imprisoned a few Englishmen
an army marched into his capital and
rescued them. Yet here, on our own border,
American citizens are murdered and their
property destroyed. The President, it is said,
has no power, but it is certain the country holds
him responsible. Let him meet that RESPONSE
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