The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-06-16

The Mexican Job.


Strange to tell or Democratic contcmpo-
rary, the World, is, perhaps, Of all the press
the most pronounced advocate and defender
of the armed invasion of Mexico. which the
Administration recently ordered, for the
double purpose of divcrting the public mind
from the successful fraud now seated In the
White House. and for promoting II scheme
of territorial spoiation In the interest Of
spectators. Surprise IL excited at this
course on the part Of the World, because IL
has heretofore rendered service in dcnounc-
ing the illegal use Of the army in Louisiana
and South Carolina, solely upon the order of
President who. IN his partisan ZEAL dclied
the Constitution and the laws
In the case of these States, the forms of
law were often perverted by the aid Of the
carpct-bag Governors, ~ sanction the iniqui-
ties which finally reused public Indignation
10 pitch that could not be paclied until the
whole atrocous system was overthrow.
In the case Of Mexico, it is not alleged even
that there have been recent depredatlons OF
any extent which call for repressive meas
ures. If there be any such examples, why
are they not publishedf
The quiet and silence on the Rio Grande,
heretofore the scene of some of these preda-
tory incursons, are the strongest common
taries on this undertaking. There are no
outrages to report. or they would be magn-
fled into fearful proportions, TO fire the Amer
lean heart with resentment. The best that
the hampons Of the project have been able
TO do, il to locate the pretended depreda-
tions " high up on the Rio Grande from the
State of Coahula," where there are no news
papers. telcgraphs, troops.or officials, to ver-
fy the rumors, and hardly any cattle to
steal.
An urgent case may lie supposed whore
robbers cross the river to plumber or
are caught carrying of booty, or are
known to have committed other crimes,
which would justify prompt and decisive
punishment 10y any force at hand. even if IL
had 10 he administered on Mexican soil.
That right springs from the natural law of
eelf-deicnce, which applies to nations as
well as 10 individuals. But no such state OF
facts exists now, and tn, present scheme is
based entirely upon old grievances long ago
discounted, and now rcvamped to furnish
the occasion for vigorous foreign policy"
as Mr. EvARTs claims IL to be, and at the
same time a cover for another huge job.
Cattle stealing, or any other form of bOr-
der dcprcdations, is not to be defended or
tolerated, whether committed by Mexicans,
Indians. or Texans. But II there is any
choice between the bold thieves who risk
their lives and take the chances Of short
shrift In stealing cattle, and the sneaking
thieves who, by fabricated stories and rank
perjury and fraudulent claims, cnlis. the
Government AMI get an army 10 help them
steal the rich territory of "A weak and friend
ly republican neghhOr, this choice Is alto
gether in favor Of the cattle stealers.
For years past euterprising adventures
from the United States have been seeking
mining concessions and exceptional prvi-
lcges in Mexico as short cut to fortune.
Others have been prospecting" IN States
rich In mineral wealth, and have mark
the locations they propose TO grab in the
event OF our acquiring territory. Others,
Still, have combined with corrupt Mexican
officials, Of the tribe that ahoundcd in Cali
fornia when the manufacture Of land
grants was n profession and the fUrg-
Ing Of signatures aud seals was fine art.
All these classes, and others with no bet
ter motives seek strife with Mexico They
want war for its profits and its plumber
They have gotten up this cry. and they
have been powerful enough at Washington
TO get an order issued, the execution Of
which il an act Of war, by invading the ter
ritory OF n"ighborinS republic with
which we are at peace and on terms Of de-
clared friendship. Gen. ORD, lat his own
discretion" a. the order reads, can involve
the country in a bloody collision, to he fol-
lowed 10y fragrant war, whenever his sup
posed interest, his caprice, his ambition, or
hint from Washington may find an OPP
portunity convenient.
II Mr. HAYES may thus openly violate the
Constitution. arrogate 10 himself the war
making power, order generals Of the army
In time OF profound peace to invade an inde-
pendent nation keep up the army to its
maximum and support it on credit in lch-
ance Of law, what safety is there in the
Government, and what Is left ~ free inetltu-
tions? No crowned head Of Europe would
dare to issue such an order. as HAYES has
done with the sanction of Democratic
organ like the WorLi
These acts are the sequel to the monstrous
fraud which carried HAYES into the White
House. They form a part of what may be
called its necessary consequences. Fraud
cannot be installed in the Executive char
without seeking to satisfy the vicious and
venal influences that contributed to it, cue
Cess With all his wrong -hcadcdncss, mulish
character, bad associations and imperfect
comprehension Of civil responsibility, Gen.
GKANr never Thought OF invading Mexico.
During his first term there were frequent
doprcdatiou- and much boldnrtroullc. Iut
II was not fear that Induced hin. t. practise
fOrbcaiAnco.
The WorM thinks our reference 10 the
manner IN which war was made with Moxi-
eo. for the anrcXation Of IcXas, "poinllcss
and irrelevant" We beg to dlIcr with that
opinion. Wien similar methods are en-
ploycI for similar objects, 10 drag or drilt
the country into war, il Is peculiarly proper
that the people should be warned Of tho de-
Sign and the danger
The Organized Frauds of London