National Republican., 1877-12-19

Our Sick Man.

il devolvcs upon the United States to pre-
scribe the remedy. For years past the bor-
der line which separates the two countries
has been the continuous scene Of disorders
such as would not be tolerated anywhere
else. We are far from saying that the Mex
leans are entirely responsible for this condi-
ton of affairs. The American population
of that border is composed of the toughest
and worst class of our people, and though
most of those who participatedin in the Texas
revolution or in the Mexican war have
passed away-"dicd with their boots on
their successors have inherited all the hates
and prejudices engendered by these occa-
sions, and the word "Greaser"is is to them the
synonym of all that is hateful or contempt
ible.
In the Mexican border States are to be
found even a worse class. Chronic revolu-
ton has destroyed every species of indus
try. The owners of land allow IL to lie
idle; the owners of money conceal or
send it out of the country, and the ownors
Of the mines cease operations. The peon,
naturally peaceful and laborious, has been
transformed into robber, who follows the
banner of some predatory chieftain, and
lives by pillago and murder the preference
being given, when opportunity offers or can
be made, to the hated "Grinjo." There
could be but one result from the proximity
of such men, and that result we have had
for thirty years in continual raids from
both sides of the river, with the continued
accompaniment of robbery and murder.
None of tho short-lived governments Of
Mexico have been able, if they were will
ing, 10 alter this condition. The'present one
may be ever so willing to do so, but the
attempt would result in Its immediate over
throw. The Mexicans have oil the pride and
vanity of their Spanish ancestors, and all the
vices seemingly inherent to mixed races, and
any effort on the part Of DIAz to hold in
check "the border ruffians" who inhabit the
Northern States would occasion "a pronun-
ciamento" upon their part and the downfall
of his government. So that it may be con-
ceded that Mexico cannot, no matter what
treaty obligation it undertakes, give peace
and security, either to its own citizens in the
border States or to ours who live near them.
No stronger or more binding articles Of
agreement could be entered into than those
which already exist, and they are but ropes
of sand as remedy for the evils COM
planned Of
Nothing is left but for the Government OF
the United States to determine for itself
and of itself what is the proper remedy, and
then to apply it, regardless of tho wishes OF
Mexico or any one else. 1t is momentous
question, and should be carefully considered
before being finally determined. America
wants no Poland or Ireland, held In subiec.
ton by mere brute force; neither can il
have its borders ravaged as were the Low.
lands in the days when the Highland clans
swept them with fire and sword. Cool, dis.
passionate craftsmanship must supply the
final remedy; but in the meantime the
quick strong hand Of power must protect
our citizens on the border. To-day the ter.
ritory of one of our States is invaded, and
its citizens are fighting for their homes and
Gresides. There should be no hesitation oi
weakness in the application Of the propel
remedy. The fact that it Is on our mos
distant border does not change the situa
ton.
The case should be treated exactly as If {
band of robbers had crossed from the Can
ada side and were beseiging the city o
Buffalo. We all know that If this were 81
flame OF indignation would light up thu
| Al ~. n l.. IL.
our borders and pursued, If necessary 70
their capture, into tho fortresses of Quebet
and Montreal, without any inquiry beinl
made or thought given rs to what Englan,
would say in the matter.
If what we hear from San Elizario b
true the same course should be pursued
Such action would probably hasten solu
ton of the problem and give us the remed
for "our sick man."