Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-03
RoRpER TROUBLES.


BORDER TROUBLES.
Affairs look nor squslly on the Texas
frontier than at any time for several
years past. The troubles down there
have at last eliminated in the pursuit Of
armed cattle-thieves across the Rio
Grande by United States troops. Lieut.
Bulls, q daring and successful Indian
fighter, crossed over with n~inety-eight
men some days ago, and was supported
by Lieutenant Shafter with q command
of eight hundred men and two Calling
guns. Lieutenant Bulls captured few
souaws snd 8 dozen or SO horses which
have been stolen from this side, and both
commands returned safely to this side
without shy notable incident except that
they we're followed and watched by a
small body of Mexican cavalry, which If
employed to prevent incursions from
Mexico might have aVerted the necessity
for our troops invading Mexican soil. 1t
Is evident that the Mexieaz government
cannot or VIII not abide BY the terms Of
The agreement entered iRto with this
government. The population Of our
neighbOr repabhe is FESTIVE, suspicious
of Americans, and always ready for 3
fight Their courage has not been called
ints question. and while there eonld be
but one rssali Of 3 general conflict, the
conquest w0ald not be 50 snail 5 matter
IS most Of orr people sre spi 70
imagine. Il would be 3 costly, trouble
some STAR This country has had
en0ugh Ct war, and should not seek one
without having sufficient cause and
meaning 70 make thorough work Of ii.
The acquisition Of more territory Just
nos Is not desirable, though Il nay be
forced upon IA. The MsKiesns do not
speak or language, and the masses have
No appreciation Of oar style CT rspu5li-
can government mneh leEs COMMON
EyDpEthiss OF traditions. Il would take
centuries 70 snslEsns;s the ideas OF the
two nations and make the people really
homogeneous. TIE Nexieans living il
Texas among Americans and identified
wiz every material interest a. law &bid-
ing Citizens, really Go noi sssizilsts 70
orr iaess OF take 3 hearty pride IN
American nationality. They are eiti-
zsnE from force Of circumstances, and
not Of choice. The Northern Mexican
States are rich il miserals and soil.
with the most delicious elinate. per
hAps, 10 the world But We have more
territory nos than il wei governed. and
more arabic land than viii be cultivated
for 8 hundred years 70 come. speeuls-
tors, sdTsoiurers and others srtfully IN.
euleats the idea that We can never have
peace on our long unprotected border
until We take in a large sice e Mexico.
and convert it into American States.
This has taken possession Of many
minds but not Of the Texas people.
They understand the true state Of AFFAIR."
best and only want to be let alone. Gov.
Hubbard has authorized The orgsniza-
ton Of several regiments for service On
the frontier, and in case Of q war these
will doubtless be placed on the same
footing as United States troops for the
time being. The time seems to have
come when the government must
punish the Mexican d~eprsdators, let
the consequences be what they nay.
This, when undertaken, should be
made so effective that it will not have 70
be repeated for a generation, if ever.
Texas mounted troops, with 4 few regi.
ments Of regulars with flying artillery.
would be best adapted to this kind o.
service. If the Disz government cannot
punish its own thieves we will have 10
do it for them, and we may yet have our
Alsace and Lorraine, forced upon US b.
the incapscity, ignorance and perversity
Of q people with whom we desire to b,
at peace. Texas came into the Unior
as a full member Of the Union, with tn
right to retain ell her vast territory
Three Mexican States weuld come in a
the end Of a decisive little war as so mucI
conquered territory without any rights
We do not want them on any terms il th,
nr,l rou ha avartad