The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-07-11
Mr.. B,a,ne'- Address

There is an agitation on the south
western frontier Of the United States
at the present time that may posi-
bly develop into a policy involving
national danger and ultimately grav'
disaster. An intelligent Represen
tative in Congress from the State o
Texas has become the exponent oil .
new policy and has been urging !
upon the Administration at WASH
ington with persuasive force. lie II
sustained and endorsed by not q few
influential newspapers 10 various
sections Of the country. The cause
or nav | not say the plausible pre-
text OF this policy, is the incursior
of predatory bands from some OF th'
border States of Mexico into The
State of Texas, and the Selling anC
carrying off tie herds and other prop
erty Of her people. The line OF &c
ton urged to suppress and prevent
these outragss embraces three points
First, The pursuit Of these outlaws
be7ond the R:o Grsnde, and theii
capture and punishment on Mexican
soil. 1t is understood that the War
Department has issued orders to the
General commanding the Southwest
ern Department TO adopt this course.
This is openly aggressive, and, though
not done to create war, has a strong
tendency 10 that direction. A sim.
liar invasion of Canadian soil would
produce war with Great Britain IN
sixty days.
Second. Under thin vel. of Quix,
otjc sentimentalism we are to extend
a moral support 70 the Government
of Mexico.-though what this may
precisely mean VIC are not very clear
ly informed, unless we are at liberty
TO infer it from the more outspoken
policy embraced in tie
Third proposition-in which, upon,
q certain contingency, we are urged
to give material support TO that party
of administration in Mexico which
best promises to insure law and or
der.-in other words, to assume 4
orr of Protectorate over the sister
Republic, and in the pending dispute
it is quietly limited that we should
sustain Lerdo and frown upon Diaz.
These last two movements are not
understood to have the assent or
approval Of the Administration at
Wasbington.-those who are engin-
eering the measure not having In
duced our authorities to 50 further
than the step described in the t's'
proposition.
ANNEXATION REPUDIATED.
AS a comforting and consolatory
addendum to the whole scheme, we
are kindly assured that in no event
shall any Mexican territory be ac-
CURED or annexed TO the United
States. As in many other cases OF
similar design and movement, the
most important feature may be that
which is specially disavowed. 1 do
not mean to impute deception or in
sincerity to the Texas Representa-
tive. but / feel free to aver that,
however candid he may be in his
declaration of views, or however
cautious the Administration might
be if it should adopt and act upon
them, vet the inevitable drift ofevents
rapidly whirled into a current that
could neither be stayed nor directed
would be towards the absorption
by this country Of a large portion
Of the present Republic of Mexico.
While on this day, and before this
audience, l would not introduce a
merely partisan topic, nor speak
words unbeftting the patriotic asso.
Citations by which we are inspired
and surrounded, | yet think that a
danger of. possible moment to our
nationality NAV be most properly
discussed before an assemblage OF
American citizens on the anniversary
of the Republican birthday.
To the younger generation, who
constitute the large part Of my hear
ers, the war with Mexico is merely
dim tradition or an historical fact ;
but the elderly and middle-aged will
readily remember that the final act
which precipitated actual confiict be-
tween the two countries in the spring
of 1916 was not so palpable or SO
menacing as that which is now be-
ing f~oreshadowed on the dial of our
nations future from the same dis
turbed quarter in the political heavens.
And, il the course Of our Government
shall now be guided or ever largely
influenced by the men and interests
that stand behind this movement
some of them masked and some of
them in sight-we may find ourselves
rushed into a war, requiring indeed
but a petty fraction of our military
strength, yet involving a serious
drain upon our Treasury, TO be re-
imbursed in the end by a cession Of
territory acquired at the wrong time,
located in the wrong place, inhabited
by an undesirable population, add
ing weakness where we want
strength, discord where we need
peace, and o lack of patriotic inspira-
ton where most Of all We require
the devoted spirit of a true American
nationality.
THE ERA OF TEST AND TRIAL.
We are passing through an era of
test and trial for the Republic. The
war OF the rebellion is long since
over, but the political questions re-
sulting therefrom, the new adjust
ments rendered necessary by the
issue Of the conflict, tie permanent
status Of the races brought into new
relations, have not been settled upon
a basis that gives adequate guaran-
~ for peace, harmony and security
in the future. / do not wish to ex-
aygerate these sources Of disquietude,
nor do / wish to underrate them.
They present the grave problems of
craftsmanship for the present gener-
alton, and it yet remains to be seen
whether our wisdom in peace is equal
to our prowess in war. Nor would
it be just to ignore or bellittle the
grave difficulties which the states
lately in rebellion have upon their