Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1873-05-03
A Puff Of War Smoke.

Scratching beyond the size of Casey is
evidently on exhibition now ut New Dr.
leans. The reappointed Collectors rolit-
ical revenue cutter is overshadowed by
the presence of the eight gunboats' three
monitors and five rams that are resound-
ing in tho harbor under the rapid ham
mers Of the artisans and making ready
for sea with all possible despatch. The
curious are unable to satisfy themselves
of the ultimate direction and object of oil
this warlike preparation. This war cloud
blows up suddsnly across the clear sky OF
peace, Whether it means Mexico or Gu
ba, the citizen is free to surmise, until
the falling blow reveals tho secret. ihe
country, at least, knows that no new and
unlooked-for occurre ace has provoked
such a demon ration; and honce tho Sc
crecy in which il has been kept becomes
tho more inexcusable. 1t is o very recent
practice of the Government to announce
its intention of making war by the act IT.
SELF and savors too much of tho spirit OF
positive absolutism.
Even Napoleon politely sent the Austri-
an Emperor New Years present of his
notification through his regular ambasja-
dor at the Tuileries. lf this dcmonstra-
ton is aimed at Mexico, the universal
criticism that will justly pursue 1T Will be
rs severe as any that ever arraigned re-
publican chief magistrate. Ii, however,
it mems simply the proper protection OF
American citizens and interests in Cuba,
based on the apprehensions of the threat
ened course OF The Spanish volunteers,
there will be a very different feeling in
the public mind.
The main reason for assooiating 1t with
Mexico is the recent departure OF the Sec
retary of War, in company with the Lieu
tenant General, for the Texan frontier, for
the avowed purpose Of making an inspec.
tion of that disputed neighboriug line.
Thus there is a more than suspicious look
about the coincidence in point Of time be
tween the two occurrences.
There is also another motive for under
taking . prudent foreign war at this par
ticular time, and one which could not wei
be concealed though the secret Of military
preparations were ever so well kept.
That is the increasing consciousness OF
the President that his popularity with the
country is not sustained up to the stand
ard it once fully met. The voluntary re-
tirement of Mr.. Curtis, of the Civil Service
Reform Board, and the elections in Con-
uecticut and the Western cities, are pre-
.monitions eta general judgment which he
might reasonably, or uuressonably, desire
to avert. War having furnished him with
his unparalleled opportunity in the past,
by return to war he may cherish the
hope Of restoring his former standing and
reviving the popular confidence.
But no trouble precipitatei with Mexico
or Cuba could draw off the eyes of tie
American people from the prefiigate aban-
donment Of their Interests and rights at
homo. However t.ey might glory in the
success OF the national ar'os in any just
.,reign contest, they cannot become wholly
iusensible to the chronic scandal Of con-
yertipg republican administration into
personal perquisites or the danger of the
absorption Of power by the Executive.
Louisiana herself must decline to forget
her helpless and bumiliating condition
merely because the President tries to d.
vert her by fitting out foreign expedi-
ton from her commercial cspital.--l Bos-
ton Post, aG