New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-07-06

The capture Of Cortina, ct Matamofas
has thus far simplified the Mexican ques.
! ton: Cortina is at the bottom of the whole
trouble on the Mexican border. 1t the
Mexican government is strong enough to
punish him for his many crimes, it is posi-
Die that the Mexican business will be set
tied without much more difficulty.
This government will demand Cortina's
punishment, and, il necessary, that he be
turned over to us for trial. The administra-
tiOn is determined on one line Of policy,
l and that is to make Mexico pay we'll for
| the long series Of Ontrages that have been
committed upon the Rio Grand0 The gov
| ernment has strong ease, no doubt, but it
| is q question whether the best motives
animate this present move On Mexico.
! While there is no doubt but the govern
ment should severely punish any move
ment upon Che part Of irresponsible in
dividuals, Who have rendered the lives and
property OF American citizens insecure,
! yet there may be some question as to the
prOpriety OF the means to be EMPLOYED.
There Is no doubt. however, of q most
serious movement being made towards
Mexico.
The sending of small fleet to the Rio
Grande is only an opening act in the play.
Mexico is going 70 be made to suffer for
f,er lack of capacity or unwillingness to
hold in restraint the bandit element in her
dominion. Even now the government
people here say that this country was very
foolish to even divide With Mexico the coz
troll of the Rio Grande, and that if, when
the Mexican war was closed, there had
been any Statesman on the American side,
we would now have control of tho entire
river, and that by this control the present
and past difficulties would have been
avoided.
Ever since the close of the Mexican war
the Mexican border has been the theatre of
murder and reprisal. Whether this would
have been checked by more energetic ac-
tiOn upon the part OF our government or
not. does not appear to be made very clear.
The present move has strong backing.
From the facts of the situation, the admin
lstration is of the opinion that the country
would even ind0rse war upon Mexico to
settle up the abuses Of these frontier out.
RACES. and have them at an end. War
means conquest; however, and those who
are engineering this movement, while they
may be very anxious to redeem theWrODgs
and indignities heaped upon American ciIi-
zehs. have at the same time longing eye
upon the rich and undevelOped mining
provinces Of Northern Mexico.
The movements Of both the War and
Navy Departments, in this matter, have
hitherto been managed with the greatest
secrecy, and very few outside Of official cir
cies have an IDEA of the thorOughness and
completeness of every detail OF this onward
movement upon Mexico. The demands to
be made upon the Mexican government
will be most imperative, and if these de
mands are not conceded, then sterQer
measures will be tesorted to. One thing is
certain, COrtina. the chief of the Mexican
border 1uttian Murderers and thieves, must
be suppressed. He 10 the direct cause of |
the long series of Outrages and the Mex |
can government has feared him too much |
to attempt to control him. !
The Mexican government has claimed |
that any attempt to arrest Cortina would
lead to q revolution. This is undoubtedly |
true. The northern sections of Mexico are I
inhabited by people who are too lazy TO !
work, and whose sole means of support are |
gotten by plundering thei- neigh bOrs across |
che river. OF cOurse, any movement on |
the part of their own government to cut of |
their regular means OF support would call |
out q pronounced rebellion. The great
droves of cattle in Texas have offered
constant field for she richest plunder tor !
these thieves. Aided by the seneRade |
Mexicans who claim TO be American citi-
zens, and who live in Texas, these thieves |
have been 60 long successful that it will be |
no light task to suppress them.
One result of the movement upon Mexico, |
{ is believed, will be, that if this govern !
nent does not acquire more, it will, at I
east, acquire the entire control of the Rio !
Srande river. This will be one of the i'm
'erative demands made upon the Mexican
government, in satisfaction for the out
ages, and as guarantee that they will be
)ut 70 An 0nd