National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-04-01
MEXICO.

The sad experience OF the Mexican peO-
pie in their efforts to maintain q republican
form of government makes record of half
century, more or less, of pronunciamen-
toes, putting in and putting oat of Presi-
dents, civil strife of all kinds, foreign wars,
assassinations, political and religious perSe-
cutions defeats and victories, which, com
bined, have resulted in a most deplorable
condition of affairs. Under President
Juarez, after the expulsion of the Austrian
and French armies and the execution of
Macmillan, there was some prospect of
the firm establishment of friendly relations
with the United States, because Juarez
knew that our Government had not only
bcfriended Mexico through diplomatic agen-
cies, but had aided her in a most substantial
way in securing fOOthold for her armies
on the banks of the Rio Grande. In fact,
it is not improbable that the soldiers of the
United States garrison at Brownsville held
Matamoras when the French evacuated
that city. Juarez's successor, however, is
not of his timber. He processes friendship
and, no doubt, ardently wishes to Guilt
vate it-but apparently he is incapable of
controlling his own people, or securing the
repression and punishment of crime. The
religious clements are at war with him, aud
while they are bigoted in the extreme, he
has, perhaps, been somewhat Intolerant in
his dealings with them. Fanaticism on the
one side, and misguided zeal for the estab-
lishmeDt of true liberty on the other, go to
make up the party divisions for and against
his administration The expulsion of the
Sisters of Charity by his Govern
ment resulted in general discomfort
and his failure or incapacity to punish the
Acapulco assassination has exhibited his
weakness and aroused a somewhat bitter
feeling toward the United States. 1t is
true he ordered an investigation of the
Acapulco affair, and promised to look after
the rights and privileges of American citi.
Zens. But it amounted to nothing, and
our Government was compelled to order a
man-of-war to that port to examine into all
the circumstances connected with it. As
the ASSASSINATION was the offspring of re-
ligious bigotry, and as President Ledro
failed to secure its punishment, the religious
bigots were Immediately arrayed against
the United States by that act The Gov
eminent Of Mexico having lost influence
over the people of that country by either
the failure or incapacitY to which we allude
the press, the clergy and the people gener-
ally call upon it to take firm stand in sup
port of the assumption that the United
States has in some way-a way which they
do not even attempt to defHe-invaded
Mexican rights. Old animosities, that have
slumbered since the Texan wars, have been
aroused, and evil feelings find cruel illus
tratien in evil deeds. Individual pros
perity, which was encouraged by the peace
that followed the complete restoration of
the Republic, is now threatened, and the
quiet progress which has been promised
for the past twelve years has given way TO
raids across the Rio Grande upon American
soil, and unprovoked invasions Of American
territory. Robbery, pillage and brigand.
age have been re-established, and political
chaos has come again.
What the result will be no one can now
foretell. But we have no fears of war be-
tween the two Republics. Our Govern
ment will simply pursue some peaceful
method to secure indemnity for the past
and assure peace for the future. We are
strong Mexico is weak, and, although the
provocation is great, for the sake of re.
publican principles, we can afford 10 bide
our time, reliant upon the future for q just
settlement of our claims II, however, the
present Mexican Administration continues
10 demonstrate its apparent imbecility we
may be compelled to resort to vigorous
measures in sheer selEdefence. There is
a long list Of complaints to be settled, and
n bloody score Of wrongs suffered in silence
which may be urged for adjustment at any
time with the assurance that the civilized
world will sustain our course. We can
point with pride TO the religious liberty our
own people enjoy, and may use that fact
as an argument to convince the Mexican