The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-12

On the Rio Grande.
Between the atmosphere of the State De-
seems to be chronic and necessary antip-
athy, unless the State Department Is mac
curately presented to the public. Our
dispatches from Texas indicate that the ac-
tivity of the ferment in Mexico is extreme,
and that the consequences have been felt on
our side the river. An American in bust
ness on the Mexican side has been threatened
and imprisoned for his refusal to respond to
forced loan, and is likely to have his estab-
lishment plundered. He evidently means
to have it plundered; for if his property is
taken by force he may one of these days get
indemnity. If he gives his money up under
the apprehension Of consequences the case
for the future will be less clear. But some
Mexican shots have fallen on our side. and
an officer of our army has been compelled to
protect his men by the timely hint of few
shells sent over the river All this our
dispatches say clearly and distinctly,
and there is not the least room
to doubt their truth Neither are
these facts different from what we might ex-
pect in the circumstances. They are pre-
cisely what every one has anticipated for
some months. But no sooner are our de-
spatches given to the public than the State
Department is reported as saying that they
are grossly exaggerated. It is very possible
that no such thing was said by such au-
thority but if it was then the State Depart
ment is ignorant of the condition of the
border and is mistaken if it believes that
events do not happen in the world merely
because it shuts it's eyes and refuses to see
them.
Great importance is not to be attached to
the events chronicled. As we have shown
hitherto, Presidential campaign is in prog
rather incidents of the political ebullition
than the conflict of civil war. These latest
events on the Rio Grande show the vigor Of
electioneering parties rather than the energy
of armies 1t is in fact that Poririo Diaz is
making himself felt in the country, and
some of the convincing arguments he has
hurled at his opponents have fallen on our
side and wounded persons who, perhaps,
from want of acquaintance with the ways in
which Mexican canvass is conducted,
inadvertently exposed themselves with
in range of his rifles. This is one
Of those accidents that happen when
people throng too eagerly to witness lively
spectacle. Naturally the people on our side
the water are fond of freedom and connois-
seurs of the operation Of electoral machinery
in republics, and when they heard that the
commander in Laredo who supports Lerdo
for the Presidency was engaged in hot dis
pute wi h thousand or SO of those who sup
port Diaz they crowded to enjoy the scene.
They did not in this make sufficient allow
ance for the effect on Lerdo's man Of chagrin
and bad temper. This fellow was not driven
from his position by his opponents, but was
roughly handled, and if a man is to be
roughly handled he likes it to happen pri-
vately. 1t is singular popularity of human
nature that man would like all those dis
putes out of which he is to come VIGOROUSLY
to take place on On arena that could be over
looked by the whole human race, but all diff
ferences that IRE to end in his discontinue
he would like to have settled in the dimmest
little coalhole that can be found anywhere
on side street. Mexican humanity, which
is compounded of Spanish and Indian
character, is an exaggeration of all other
humanity in this particular. Therefore.
when Lerdos man was roughly handled by
Diazs man and turned round and found that
the Americans were looking on he felt an ex-
cusable irritation. He naturally thought
they were laughing at him. So he opened
fire on them, perhaps by way Of practically
exhibiting the effectiveness of the arguments
that had failed to convince the other party
on his side the river. Thereupon word was
sent to him by the lannon's mouth that de-
cided him to discontinue this eccentric in
diligence of his i'll humor
1t is to be hoped this incident will go no
further, for it is not desirable that our peo-
pie should take any part in the Mexican
Presidential election There is already an
unpleasant feeling in Texas about the con-
duct of our neighbors, and it would not
take great deal to light up n confagration
that would burn out somebody in that
neighborhood It's, therefore, especially de-
sirable that cool temper should be kept on
our side.
More Fraud-Trust and Then.
Another respectable" man has left for
parts unknown and with him have disap-