The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-15


Congress, or the action Of the military.
In the senate, committee has been ap
pointed to investigate our relations with
Mexico, and iE the house there has been
considerable discussion of the subject in
which quite a number Of both northern
and southern representatives participated.
There was a general disclaimer Of desire
OF the part of any to 90 to the length Of
engaging in war as the proper solution of
the difficulties on the Rio Grande, The
Texan representatives, as would naturally
be the case, made tho nearest approach to
q warlike attitude, but even Mr.. Mills Of
that state, who made the most infam-
matory speech Of any engaged in the
debate, did not 90 to any greater length
than to condemn the proposition to make
a new treaty. Efforts have been made in
certain quarters to create the impression
that the Executive was disposed to press
matters TO a vigorous conclusion, even to
the extent of provoking q collision be-
tween this country and Mexico But a
fair consideration of anything which has
as yet emenated from that quarter will
not honestly warrant such conclusions. 1t
is by far more reasonable to believe in the
sincerity of the administration protests
that it does not entertain such a purpose,
than to entertain tn supposition that it
does in fact desire a war, and is acting
with duplicity and a hostile intent.
Those who assume the administration
has designs Of that character refer to Mr..
Blaine's attack on the war-and- annexation
party in his last summers Woodstock
speech as significant of that senator s
having bad at that early date some
specific and certain information upon the
subject which the public generally were
uuacquainted with; and the more recent
action of Senator COnkling in the senate 10
regard to a committee to investigate the
condition of affairs to which we have
already alluded is also by some considered
as having reference to the same occult
species of knowledge, and a desire on the
part Of the senator to carly fOrestalI any
action OF the secretary of state which
could lead to actual war.
Even if there was a strong war feeling
in some parts of the country. a feeling
that vigorous foreign policy might lead
to events which would serve the admits
tration by diverting attention
from the dissensions of the President and
Senate and turn public attention in the
direction of patriotic fever for the de
tense Of an invaded soil and against the
insults of foreign enemy, still it is more
than doubtful, in the face. of all that has
beensmade public, whether either the
President or single member of his cabi-
net entertain any such wishes.
Moreover there is strong grounds for
the belief that the executive ruler of
Mexico, Diaz, is not only friendly to this
country, but is even DESTROYS Of preserving
peace. He has said officially that he Is
DESTROYS of making a treaty with the
United States in order to obtain coopera
ton in protecting the boundary line, Ht
has already on the border from 5000 t
1000 men for the purpose, as alleged, o.
preserving order. Before these men were
sent there. it was claimed by the irrecOn
cileabes that Diaz was unable TO check tn
disorders of which we have recently heari
so much said, and now, when the men ar
there in the performance of their duty
it is given out that their being there is
menace of the Mexican government,
is already in evidence before tn
country that Gen. Ord stated in his testi
mony before the congressional cOmmitte
that Diaz is the best President Mexico ha
had for many years, and the secretary o
war said to the same committee that Dia
is exerting himself to the utmost to pre-
vent torays across the Texas border, an
is most anxious to preserve friendl
relations with this government. A strikiD
proof of his good faith is seen in the fac
of the payment of the installmeBt O
money due the U. s. government almos
Immediately after his accession to power
and in the face of the complaint
about border troubles, something
he would not be likely to have done if wa
with this country was any part of his rea
intentions. Still further, the second pay
ment OF $3OO,OOO is now on deposit IN
New York bank awaiting the day of pay
ment In various other ways, whic
might be further stated, Diaz has show
an honest and sincere desire of preservin
good feeling and friendly intercourse wit
this country and, so far as faith Gun b
placed in the acts and professions of
Mexican ruler, there is no reason {
seriously doubt the pacific desires of tn
Mexican government at this time. 1t
true he gave orders to repel force wit
force when he heard last spring of Ger
Ord's instructions to pursue raiders acros
the Rio Grande, but this canuot b
accounted an insult to our government
for any country witha spark of nations
dignity and self-respect would have &c
scented in quite as earnest aud forcib
manner an invasion Of its soil by hosti
force from neighboring country.
1t does not appear probable, in the faS
Of the sentiment developed in the houi
of representatives, and Of no known wa
like intention on the part OF the executiy
and his advisers, and from the generl
views held by the press of this countr