The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-18
The Latest Mexican Violation 81
Our Soil.

The Latest Mexican Violation or
Our SOIL. -
The outbreak of the Lerdo instruction or
counter revolution in the Mexican States
bordering on the Rio Grande might have
been expected to lead to such glazing vio-
Monday last. A band OF Diaz troops from
the State of Cohahuila. fleeing before the
Lerdists, crossed the river to Texas, and.
being overtaken there by their pursuers,
fought battle. The Lerdists were vic
torious and retired to Mexican soil, while
the remnant of the Diaz band, numbering
forty. were made prisoners by the United
States troops from Fort Clark. Among the
forty, our dispatches stated, were lone
colonel, three lieutenant colonies and
five captains"-rather large proper
ton of officers to privates Had it
not been that this violation of Ameri-
can soil was preceded by others barely
less heinous during the last ten years
loud outcry would follow its announce
ment. As it is, by concentrating in itself
all that is Objectionable in the condition Of
things along the Rio Grande border, it will
certainly compel the immediate attention
of our government. We do not want war
with Mexico for many reasons; but
the various fighting parties on its
borders act as though they would
compel us to take some sharp measures to
protect our settlers and our territory. 10
have so long tolerated lawless brood as
neighbors, who are revolutionists OCCASION
ally, but COW thieves always, is proof Of
almost inexhaustible patience. The outrage
of last Monday shows that neither the i'd
herents of Diaz nor those of Lerdo believe
that our forbearance has any limit at ALL
It is some satisfaction that they contented
themselves with killing each other. If,
like the Kilkenny cats, they would complete
the process and leave nothing but the tails,
we would be pleased even though the pro-
portion of surviving colonies and captains
fought last Monday. There is, unfortu-
nately, no chance Of such a consummation,
for the Mexican knows the exact moment to
run as we'll as the American Indian. Hence
some other means must be taken to stop the
annoyance.
We publish elsewhere to-day a somewhat
remarkable map, intended by the CORE
spondent who sends it to us to illustrate
ideas as to our relations with Mexico which
We have often heard were favorably consid-
cred by the last administration, and which
some passing events would seem to hint are
not undreamed of by the present one.
Our New Orleans correspondent sends
some interesting reports from the Mexican
border. It is believed down there that Es-
cobedo and other Mexican leaders have con-
ceived the project of setting up an indie
pendent confederation, consisting Of seven
or eight of the northern tier Of States. Such
project might be easily accomplished if
acting together The present Mexican gov
eminent is too weak to attempt the gigantic
task of reconquering territory as large as
half the continent of Europe. But it is almost
as impossible for a Mexican leader to COM
bine the isolated, scattered and inhar-
monious population OF those States in an
effort to establish a new government.
Our correspondent "B. F. E." makes On
ingenious plea for the annexation Of these
Mexican States to our own system. We do
not care to discuss this OF present 1t is
with those States as with Canada-when the
pear is ripe it will fall, and we need not be
impatient; it can fall into nobody's lap but
our own. We do not believe that President
Hayes means to do wrong or injustice to
Mexico; nor do we believe that he would
consent to war with that wretched coun-
try--a war sure to be unpopular with the
best influences in this country and in his
own party. The policy of the President and
Secretary Of State looks to the peaceable set
Element of all difficulties with foreign ma
tions. An energetic and positive foreign pol
icy does not mean warlike one; on the con-
trary, in able hands 1t is the best safeguard
for peace. 1t is only the incapables who
buster.