The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-01-14
Vol. "
TEE RTO GRANDE rnoUnLEs.

i pendence in 1896. Annexation did not close
that war The Uzited States accepted an
empire, freely offered by the heroic men
who achieved success against fearful odds,
and also accepted all open questions be-
tween Texas and Mexico. one Of the re-
suits Of annexation was the war of tS46-7-6.
These two conflicts inaugursted a war Of
races-placed the AnglO-American and the
Spanish-Amencan in direct anrsgonism.
On the side Of the American there wss
much to remember-blood wantonly split;
brothers massacred in cold blood. After
hostiIities had ceased, the government Of
the United States adopted course of corcih-
alton proper towards sister republic. She
buried resentments, and exhibited a Chris
tian forbearance where she might hayc de-
manded justice at the cannon's mouth
During the war OF intervention, when for
eigners imposed an emperor upon repsbli-
can people, the United States stood by
Mexico, furnishing arms, and, throwing her
weight into the scale, effected by diplomacy
what Mexico could never have accomplish
by arms. Secretary Seward did more to
consummate the overthrow of Maximilian's
empire than Juarez with his legions, though
seconded by the treachery of Lopez.
The government and the people of the
United States thus endeavored to win the
friendship of Mexico. They failed signally
Hatred for Americans increased, and it wa
not restrained by acts of kindness or abated
BY time, but grew into deep-seated senti-
ment Of revenge-an Internal thirst for hu-'
man blood. Americans were assassinated,
outraged and robbed. The 'legion-of-honor
men" who followed the republican flag of
Mexico until it waved in triumph from the
Atlantic to the Pacific were defrauded,
swindled out of their pay; and this act of
black ingratitude was Endorsed by the
Juarez government, and covers Its memory
with infsmy.
On the Rio Grande, where the two races
stood and still stand. foot to foot, the hos
tility of the Mexican has been manifested
by legislative enaetments, and by deeds of
violence and bIoodshed. The passage of
the IONA h6ra law-the establishment of
free belt, six miles in width, extending from
the mouth of the Rio Grande to point
above New Laredo-Wasa blow aimed at the
commerce of the United States. 1t ruined
the business of American merchants in the
valley of the Rio Grande. It has encOur-
aged smuggling into the United States. To
pass law permitting the introduction of
| goods, free of duty, all along the Rio
Grande, was discrimination against the
United States.
About the same time, and under the i'm
pulse of the same feeling, another system
of aggression and injury was adopted.
The first raid made upon the people of
Texas from Mexico was set on foot in 1853.
The Tampacuas Indians invaded Texas,
killed a number of people, robbed Others,
carried cattle, and other property, acquired
| by force, into Mexico. In 1853 Cortina in
vaded this State. since then raids have
been frequent, and the people of Western
Texas have been robbed of property worth
millions of dollars.
Tho principles of international law in this
connection are very plain and very positive.
Nations are compelled 10 restrain their citi-
zens, or to assume the responsibilities of
their lawless acts. Bands Of robbers, or
ganized upon the soil Of State for the
purpose of making incursions into neigh-
boring State, must be checked, broken NJ,
aud punished, by their own government, or
the injured State has the right to pursue
them to their places of refuge and lnhict
summary punishment. The government Of
Mexico has gwen an asylum to the raiders.
They have carried their stolen property
within her limits and sold it there under
the protection of Mexican authorities.
Mexico has sinned against the United States
since 1858, and has indicated no feeling of
regret; on the contrary, her exeesses have
become more intOserable with time, and
despite complaints and remonstrance.
The laws of nations accord to the United
States the right to institute whatever meas
ures she may deem appropriate to the occa-
sion. After more than twenty years of
wrong and outrage on the part of her citi-
zens, Mexico is estopped from interposing
any plea of justification. She cannot es-
cape on the ground of ignorance; she can
not claim 10 have been actuated by good
intentions. She stands at the bar Of pub
lie opinion convicted of bad faith; she has
smiled upon tho United States, whispered
words of friendship aud stabbed at the
same time. Her skirts are red with Ameri-
can blood; millions of dollars worth of
American property, acquired by force, fraud
and crime, are now within her confines.
The questions which interest thousands
OF despoiled and impoverished citizens are,
what steps viii our Legislature takel Win
the United States indemnifyus for our losses
and protect Us in the future3 May not the
lllustriOGs soldier now garroting an Amcri-
can State at New Orleans be more patrioti-
cally employed on the Rio Grandei