The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-02
the Troubles on tho Mexican From
tier.

ton against the marauding incurslons OF
Mexican land pirates, printed in the HERALD
yesterday, proves that these raids are formi-
dable and threaten to depopulate the rural
counties Of Texas which border on the Rio
Grande. Certainly Governor Coke, who was
elected by democratic majority of nearly
fifty thousand, does not intend to play into
the hands Of General Grant and assist him IN
manufacturing foreign war for political pur-
poses. But the fact that the raids are real and
extensive is favorable to the ambitious prof.
ects Of the President If he were to get up
difficulties with Mexico on false pretexts
without any real grievance his motives would
be too transparent and he could not stand
before public opinion. Unfortunately events,
without any apparent agency Of his, are
creating q situation which may be easily
nursed into hostihties while he Is seem
ingly acting for the protection of our
citizens and the defence of our frontier 1t is
quite possible that out of these border diff
culties there may arise causes for just quar-
rel with Mexico, and it is only in war
waged with a strong color of justice that
President Grant could expect the support Of
the country. The aspirations which he is
known to cherish render every chance Of
foreign war previous to the next republican
nomination for the Presidency an occasion of
anxiety and apprehension. But let us first
consider these troubles on the Rio Grande
with simple reference to the facts as they lie
on the surface, without regard to the danger
Gus uses which may be made Of them.
Il may be asked why Governor Coke does
not employ the State militia Of Texas to drive
out or punish these marauders without apply
ing to the President The Governor Of Texas
may justify himself by solid answer. Be-
fore he could march State regiments to the
Rio Grande the freebooters would escape
across the river and he would have no
right to pursue them. All he could then
do would be to divide his regiments
into companies and station them along
several hundred miles of river frontier. So
long as they remained (if their numbers were
sufficiently there would be no sign Of q raid,
but as soon as they were withdrawn and dis
banded the robbers would again cross and
renew their depredations. Now, as the fed
protect each State against invasion, if a per-
manent stationing Of troops is necessary for
this purpose, it is proper that the expense be
betrayed out Of the national Treasury. There
is still stronger reason why these plumber
ing Mexican bands should be dealt with by
the national government Our foreign rela-
tons are under the exclusive control Of the
r.. Il IL. -
Mexico to restrain her lawless citizens, and
only the federal government can demand the
fulflment Of this duty and hold her response
BE for its neglect When our Fenians under
took to invade Canada after the close Of the
civil war the President took them in hand
and sent troops to the Northern from
tier to suppress thor attempts Nearly
forty years ago, when bodies Of our
citizens were on the point Of crossing
the Niagara and the St Lawrence TO take part
in the so-called Patriot war; in Canada,
President Van Buren, adopted similar meas
ures Of prevention. Mexico owes the same
duties 10 us which We faithfully discharged 70
our northern neighbors. Texas cannot hold
her 70 these duties, but only the federal gov
eminent II Is not night that this country
should be subjected 10 the heavy expense Of
maintaining troops all along the line Of the
Rio Grande to secure our citizens from incur
sions and robberies from which we have
right to be protected by the vigilance Of the
Mexican authorities. Governor Coke appl-
cation to the President is entirely proper and
il is the clear duty OF the President to give
him the military protection he asks
This brings Us 70 another phase Of the ques-
ton. When the President has sent troops to
the Rio Grande what is the next step?
Clearly, to call on the Mexican government to
give security against repetition Of these
raids. It is the duty or our government
to protect our own citizens, but not
for any length Of time, BY 50
expensive a method as keeping the
left bank OF the Bio Grande lined with SOL
diers to insure the good conduct Of Mexican
subjects. II is the business Of Mexico her
self to see that her subjects do not cross the
boundary to vex and harass her neighbors.
IT. after proper representations, she pleads
inability or fails to perform this duty from
any other cause, it becomes a serious question
az to what means OF redress we shall employ.
II We march beyond the frontier to pursue
and chastise the robbers she has q right to
construe the violation Of her territory as an
act Of war, and would probably do 90. There
is possibility that war Dlay grow out Of these
difficulties If Mexico either cannot or will not
reduce her lawless subjects to order and give
us such guarantees as will make il safe to
withdraw our troops from the Flo Grande
With such plausible and perhaps just pre-
texts for a war with Mexico looming up in the
near future the country has reason to tear the
uses to which General Grant may turn 20
tempting On opportunity. A foreign war,