The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-27

1t is now very evident that the Fraudu-
lent Administration has become alarmed
at the decided opposition manifested toward
the war plot which it inauguratcd on the
Rio Grandc, and is disposed to retreat by
making virtue of necessity. Tho vigorous
assaults Of the press ON this criminal con-
spiracy, and the exposure OF the base and
corrupt motives in which it originated have
awakened pubic attention to the danger
and evoked general sentiment of indgna-
ton against the scheme.
Tho order OF the War Department to cross
the Rio Grandc at the discretion Of the Com
handing General in Texas. and upon the
most frivolous prctcXts, was issued without
the advice or the knowledge Of either Gen.
SHERMAN or Gen. SHERIDAN, as has been
shown by their testimony before the Com
mittee on Military Affairs. They both dis
approved 1t, when informed of that extra
ordinary step. and they both testified that
there were no raids within the last year or
two such as the consprators and their con-
fcdclates in Texas have sought to impose
on the public in exaggerated stories and
fabricated reports.
The secret Of this order was confined TO
the parties in the plot, and We have already
shown from the Official papers sent to the
House of Representatives that its very
words were used by Col SHAFrER on the
Rio Grandc before IL was issued in Wash
ington, and that he acted upon this fore
knowledge repeatedly by invading Mexico.
and by ordering Lieut. BULLS, Col YorNG.
and others, to follow his tad example The
intention was to precipitate collision. and
thus render war inevitable.
During these five or six months of pre-
meditated irritation on the frontier. the con-
duct Of the DIAz Government, OF the troops
sent to the Rio Grandc, and Of the civil
local authc rites. has been deserving Of all
praise But for their desire To preserve the
peace in good faith, and to remove all just
cause Of complaint. blood would have been
shed long ago. They knew the Adminstra-
ton only wanted a shallow prctcxt to sound
the tocsin of war, and that the presence of
our raiding officers in Mexico was meant to
:c the strongest provocation To resistance
on their part. Hence their prudence may
be said to have prevented actual hostilitic-:
for il there had been the least disposition 10
bring ON a conflict IT might have occurred
any day while our officers and their troops
were scouting thirty or forty miles away
from the river in the interior pretending TO
follow trails, but really seeking to provoke
hlood,hcd.
1t is not to be disguised that tho appoint
moht OF special committee Of the Senate,
headed 10y Mr. CoNKLING, and empowered to
make the fullest investigation OF the Next
can question. has operated largely in r.
straining the vigorous foreign policy " OF
which Nh. EVABIs hnsi.d oa confidently a
few months ago There can bc no conceal
mcnt from that committee, rcpresentln- Ms
it docs part OF tho treaty-nlkiug power.
Il Will doubtless go to the bottom of the
whole business, and allow the country to- sec
the proofs of intrigue and speculation that
have thus far been concealed from the pub
lie eye.
Between the three committees ofCongross
now charged with the subject some notice
must be taken and some recommendation
made respecting tine order of the first Of
June from the War Department directing
| Cen ORD to cross the Rio Grande at his
"oNn discretion II the executive branch
Of the Government may issue such orders
with impunity, the peace of the country
might be constantly impcrilod by caprice,
rccklessnoss, or unworthy motives. Nirtu-
ally. 1t IS a usurpation Of the war making
power. upon which the House of Reprcseu-
| tatiVes have the right to act.