The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-25
STARTLING FROM MEXICO.
Americans Calling for Protection.


tain information which is entitled to thu
speedy and serious attention of the authcri.
ties of the United States. It seems that the
Mexican General Labarra has levied forced
loan upon all citizens of Matamoros, in addi-
ton to the tax of one per cent which the
Mexican Government has imposed upon all
capital and property. This military chieftain
proposes to force loan of 100000 from the
citizens, Independent of nationality, and de-
clares positively that he will not scruple at
any measures, however harsh, to compel the
payment of that sum for the defense Of that
city. There are quite number Of
American citizens in Matamoros, and they
are entitled to the protection of this
government from the insults or oruelties in
dicted upon them from the Mexican powers
The dispatches inform Us that the American
merchants have subscribed to the loan asked
by the government. but naturally shrink from
the imposition Of such penalties as are threat
ened by Gen. Labarra in case Of their inabil-
ity to pay his additional levy. The subjects
Of the Mexican government have for years
annoyed, harassed and pillaged the citizens
Of Texas, and other than q mere nominal
show of protection, which was almost farci-
cal in its nature, the United States has done
nothing to prevent or arrest the outrages. 1t
is hardly then to be wondered at, that. in the
present disturbed state of affairs in Mexico,
Americans are threatened with penalties
which the government of almost any other
nation on the globe would Immediately
resent and punish. OF wha. avail is
it to an American to acknowledge his
and be faithful in his allegiance,
if the rulers CT his native land suffer him to
be subjected to outrage and insult without
according him that protection which is not
only his Of right, but which it should bs the
boast of every government to afford its citi-
zsns at all times? There is no duty devolv-
Ing upon the rulers of nation more sacred
in its character than the protection of their
wherever they may be, or in
whatever circumstances they may be placed.
Here ct our very threshold, citizens Of the
United States are threatened with imprison-
nent and even death if they fail to comply
With demand made by foreign power for
lid ia suppressing an intestine war. A call
aas been made upon the American Con-
,ul and unless that call is answered
n speedy and effective manner
~ the authorities at Washington,
t is more than probable that our friends in
Iatamoros will be subjected to both insult
md outrage. The pillagng and murder Of
he citizens of Texas has had to be subj scted |
o the tedious discussion of an investigation |
and, Of course, nothing has been
lone. Quicker work is hero needed-action
must be taken. and that right soon. Who
lnows that even now there may not be Amsri-
AN citizens in Matamoros who are undergo
pg the threatened penalties of . refusal to
'ay the ransom demanded by Gen. Lsbarra
OF their safety? The case is urgent, and it
'ehooves the Congress of the United States
o take such steps that the experiment being
made by the representatives Of the Mexican
to force American citizens to pay
ribute to their treasury, and taxes for their
ersona safety, will not be tolerated
y the United States. II GEN. Lsbarra, feel
ng that the "interest of his government is
q his hands," will take any M MEASURE however
ioleut to force all residents Of Mstamoros to
id lis cause, surely the United States should
ppreciate the fact that the lives and property
her citizens are worthy of attention, and
hould take such immediate and positive
teps to protect both, that even the Mexican
overnment may be compelled to respect and
onor the title Of American citizen.
The lady correspondents harp on Mrs Bel
nap. One expatiates upon her g big hands,"
mother declares that her nose is an "unmiti-
ated pug. far too small and expressionless
y the rest Of her face" The latest writer,
owever, settles her unfortunate sister with
i never seemed to me that the soul Of that ,