New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-19
OUR B0RDEE TROUBLEs-.-HIsrORY.

1t is certainly better policy rather 10 Duy
out litigious neighbor than to be often
at law with him 1t is thus with regard
to our neighbors Of Mexico and of Canada
In the case of Mexico we have been COM
PEELED to invade her territory in the pur-
suit Of disturbers OF the common frontier.
The intent of this invasion was SO OBJ
viously for the mutual advantage Of the
coterminous countries, that Mexico will
readily absolve the United States from
any violation of International law
or Of territorial integrity. It is as
if Jones, having pursued a rat or
snake, or burglar or any other COM
mon enemy, within the premises Of Smith,
should commit trespass by breaking his
close in order to effect the capture OK de-
struction Of the common enemy. In such
case Smith, upon hearing from Jones the
carse and mode of intrusion, would, in
the hearties. spirit possible. slap Jones
upon the back, compliment him upon his
energy, and ask him to take drink.
Such. we presume, will be the nature Of
our adjustment with Mexico. IN re-
gard to Canada, the case is somewhat
more difficult of solution. A British
swindler. having put an American
dupe as bail for his appearance to answer
a criminal charge, absconded within the
territory of her British majesty. The
swindler was pursued beyond American ju-
.isdiction, and the pursuing party was ar
rested and imprisoned by the British au-
thorities for the trespass. This matter, in
violation Of the extradition and other
treaties. as well as of international law,
having attained the dignity Of diplo.
matte question, the President has sisnified
his purpose to cause diplomatic inquiries
TO be made in regard Dit. England being
thus placed in the same position as Mex
leo recently was, is not disposed to tol-
crate the acts of invasion, so that there
must be an interchange Of correspondence
upon the subject. As stated yesterday, we
are disposed to intruss this with other
foreign questions 70 the executive, whose
province it is to conduct it. We have en-
tire confidence that no violation Of our re-
lations on the one hand OF Of our rights
on the other will be permitted by the ex-
ecutive.
But pending this new complication, we
may refresh the memories Of our readers
by referring 70 another and counter in
vasion of American soil by British Cana
dian) trespassers. It was in the year 1888
that revolt broke out in Canada. 1t was
undoubtedly aided by American sympathy
of the most substantial character. It is
the history of the period that if the
American government had not arrested by |
the most stringent measures, the organ
lied invasion of the British Possessions, !
that the insurgents would have established |
the independence OF Canada and its seces- |
sion from the United Kingdom. |
The revolution, however. having been |
suppressed, there was continued i'll
feeling along tie line, and in the winter
Of 1888 an American steamer, alleged to |
have carried supplies to the insurgents |
on the Canada side. was boarded by
military force from Canada, at night,
within American territory. The vessel was
fired, set adrift and went over the falls of |
Niagara, VITA 81 alleged loss of several |
lives.
The government OF the United States |
at once asked an explanation Of the |
British government. 4 letter was gut in |
from the officer ordering the invasion of |
soil and destruction of property, in which
he disavowed any belligerent intention to-
ward the United States, but avowed the
act, claimed that he acted as q servant Of
the British crown, and was responsible to
that authority alone for the execution Of
any official act. The federal govern
ment then made positive demand
for explanation. and received a reply so
eGuivoca! that The British government
could neither be said to avow or disavow
the act of invasion. The correspondence
fingered in this indefinite state for three
years. 1t became for short time COM
plicated by the arrest on American soil of
a British subject charged with the arson
and murder referred to. lie was. however.
acquitted by an American jury on the
facts of the case as proven. Still there was
no answe, as to the first act Of invasion
until Lord Palmerston, the Premier, said
in Parliament that the English govern
ment did avow the act of its officer as
having been committed by itself. Some
positive action by the American govern
ment might then have been expected, but
there was none This question, with that Of
the Northwestern boundary, the fisheries,
and a lot Of other odds and ends, which
bothered the border diplomacy of the
period, were all informally adjusted by a
general treaty of amity and boundary.
md SO it remains. There was ne er. as
we think, any acknowledgment or indem-
nifty from Great Britain to the United
States for this armed act Of invasion.
Indeed. England at that day took high
ground in her own pretensions, and the
United States was not disposed to be bel
igerent Certainly there was no adequate
admission or expression of thanks on the 1
part of England for the signal service rem
Tered by the United States in preserving
1er Canadian provinces from secession.
This revolution had without doubt been
but for Americas fidelity to her
,h1;cationS Of ne,1tralitv