The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-08-01
War with Mexico.

Is from W ashlngtOn Olty spread through
out the country the rumor, prevailing in
official circles, that there had been an ac-
tual conflict of arms between the United
States and Mexican soldiery. We have
waited confirmation of the report, and
though ascertaining in the meantime it
was a false note of alarm, we are not
prepared to say, that, while it does not
approach a certainty, it is nevertheless
not improbable, that we are on the
threshold of very stirring events with
Mexico-probably war, the intensity
and duration of which we have been lead
to underestimate on account Of an
Astounding confidence in our resources
and power.
1t will doubtless be remembered that
the cdsus beli has its origin in the inva-
sion of Mexico, by Col. Mckenzie, Of
the United States regular army, for the
purpose of inAicting chastisement upon
a band OF Indians, which, it is alleged,
had previous to that time been in the
habit of making incursions on our 'front.'
iers and stealing cattle and other proper
ty from American citizens. The inva-
sion of Mexico for this purpose was re-
garded at that time, by that power, as
unauthorized by the law of nations, in fact
as violation thereof, and aroused the
fiery blood of the Mexicans to boiling
heat. II is pro6tlcss to stop and inquire,
how far forth the conduct Of Col. Me-
Kenzie, approved by the government,
may be breach of international comfy,
or whether it is a breach at all or not.
The United States government is preg-
nant with a war fever, and only waits to
be delivered. 1t is the policy of the adj
ministration to involve the country in a
war with foreign power, under the
vain delusion that attention would there
by be drawn from the corruption at
Washington to another theatre Of COM
mon interest. AS We have said, it is
idle for Jurists, matured in all the learn
ing that pertains TO international law, to
attempt a demonstration to the admins
tration that Mckenzie was guilty of a
breach of comfy, not to say amity; but
we can not fail 10 call to mind the fun
damental principle, that it is not lawful
to rnake neutral territory the scene of
hostility, or to attact an enemy while
within it, The small affair between the
Indians and the United States was recog-
nized by the latteras war on small scale,
andany intrepidity on the partofoUr troops
was emblazoned in the most conspicuous
places of the public journals. The In
dians were regarded and treated as
a hostile, belligerent force. Mexico was
neutral in the small contest, and even
friendly to the United States. Yet,
without gaining permission to invade
her territory with an armed force, Nc
Kenzie made il the theatre of overt acts
of hostility.
This remarkable conduct, TO call il by
a mild name, has eliminated in prepare
tions for war in Mexico, and even now,
it is stated, that the Mexican General,
Escobedo, has marched to the Rio
Grande with an entire division. Such a
movement, if it has been made, can have
but one object, and that certainly not a
peaceful one. The only fair inference is
that the Mexicans have determined TO
retaliate for the incursion into their terri
tory. If the administration is bent on
annexation, and determined upon war as
the means, the probability is that Mexi-
co will tender the opportunity. 1t may
as well as not be borne in mind in the
outset, that this Mexican General, ESQ
bedo, is no tyro in the science of war.
As a subordinate of Juarez in the long
struggle with Macmillan, he developed
military genius of the highest order, and
in addition he has studied the history
and chief features of every battle fought
between the North and South during
the period Of our own discussion. While
the United States could no doubt over
come Mexico, the magnitude of such a
war is not TO he underestimate. 1t
would be no gala day for any body save
suttlers and quarter-masters. "Let US