New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-12-23
FROM THE RIO GRANDE,

FROM THE RIO GRANDE.
In nothing is the difference between Re-
publican and Democratic foreign polio
more distinct than in the acquisition {
territory, by aggression in the one case
and the pacific and neighborly policy i,
the course pursued by the Republican ad
ministration toward the adjacent repub
lies upon this continent.
With this material difference it hal
been with extreme anxiety the Republica,
administration has beheld the rapaciou
and savage incursions of Indians ant
Mezicans upon the sole impulse of rob
berry, the natural indignation of Ameri
can citizens, and the honest though in
competent efforts OF the Mexican govern
ment to enforce her own laws and execute
her own treaties. With the object O.
sustaining the policy of ron-interventior
on the part of our government, the RE
PUBLICAN dispatched special commits
sioner to the Rio Grande to ascertain and
report upon the spirit which animated the
more considerate population on each side
Of the boundary, with the purpose Of
transmitting such impressions to our own
government and that of Mexico as an i'm.
portant suggestion of the true situation.
Our commissioner visited the city Of
brownsville and other points on the low Ell
river, and We deem his impressions of
sufficient authority for publication. We
give the following extract from the com.
Missioner's report, presented on his re.
turn:
There are but few leading men residing
in Brownsville or in Matamoras; such gen.
tlemen, l mean, as are competent to Judge
Of the general situation and furnish an ex-
plaration. In Brownsville, where l met
Captain McNally, l found that the
masses are directly inclined 70 favor
almost any measure by which Mexi-
cans on the border might be nearly
eNterminated; there is no love Tor the
Mexican government, but l did not hear a
single expression that would indicate de.
sire to see the States and Mexico involved in
war. Texans on the border are almost e..
clusively engaged in raisin cattle and stock,
and when they learn that men from the
other side OF the Rio Grande boldly steal
their property they wish revenge, and prob
ably would be pleased ~ see our ARMY in.
wade Mexican soil. conversed with few
rancho men. and they feel grieved at the
non-action OF our government; in fact they
denounce our ARMY as stain. That is self
I'M erest.
Many of the United States officers and
soldiers in Fort Brown are willing enough
to pursue and punish cattle thieves, but
Their orders are 10 Dreserye neutrality: not
10 cross the Rio G,ande IN hostile array
nor to fire a g,m. Commissioned officers
frequently visit Matamoras, in uniform, and
are treated civilly enough.
Residents of Matamoras, az far as / could
learn, are not particularly friendly to our
people or government, but my belief is that
they would avoid q war with US, if possible.
Our army officers speak highly of the Mex
are proficient in drill and as full of daring
fight as the best in the States.
Altogether, my impression ia that people
o" t0M SIDES, IN a general sense, do not
fdcOr tcar between The ttc0 countries. How
ever, the State of Texas will probably put
small army of militia on the border in q
month, under Captain McNally, and it is
supposed that he will cross the river when
it suits his plans. In fact he made state.
ment to that effect to me.
The local authorities on each side seem
averse to national war. The citizens of
Texas are naturally indignant even to the
reproach Of their own government for in
action and forbearance. The State of
Texas is preparing military forces for the
defense of the frontier against actual in
vasion.
The government Of the United States
is compelled to protect itsslf against the
imputation Of treating a neighbor less
powerful than herself with courtesy and
forbearance. 1t would not be proper to
involve two great nations in war that
must impair the interests of the
whole people of each, because of
the injury of small portion
of each country. But the rights
of every citizen of each country must be
protected, and either of the powers may
find itself compelled to take stand in
defense of the rights of even one indi-
vidual. We have thus stated the position
of affairs on the Rio Grande. The depre-
dations continue. The Texans have be-
come exasperated at the disturbance and
loss Of property. They are preparing to
repel such actual invasions OF their soil,
and from the character of Americans on
the frontier, it is probable they will do
so. Would it not be better if the two
governments should make some conven-
ton and appoint some joint commission,
which shall, with adequate military force,
to be contributed by each government,
put prompt and further stop to this
cause of war?
We respectfully press upon our govern
ment the necessity Of taking steps for
such . .co-pfotectorate Of the American
boundary. The two peoples are now at