The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-27
Our Invasion of Mexico.

In one OF CRUIKSHANks etchingS men,
Der OF the lgnt-fingered fraternity is de-
picted whispering to his pal as constable
looms on the horizon, JIM, you ockipies
the beak's attention, while sneaks across"
We commend the graphic illustration to
Gen. X. s. MACKENZIE, whose zeal seems to
have outrun his capacity in his late at
tempt to start war with Mexico, under
cover Of whose smoke and clamor his Il,
fdcto superior, r. b. HAYES, might sneak
through the remnant OF his term.
This piece Of political cozenagc is not a bit
more respectable because it is understood TO
emanate from the most astute and conspicu-
Gus member Of the Fraudulent Cabinet, and
was avowed more than year ago in the
curious instructions OF June /, 1877. AZ a
lawyer, Mr.. EvARTs knew well enough.
when that notable document was
penned, that the pursuit Of alleged
offenders across the frontier OF
foreign power with an armed posse conf
fatus is a breach of international codes
q high-handed outrage only to be wiped
out, where the injured party is able to
protect itself, by abject and pcnary rep
aration OF 10y vindictive war. He knows, and
every reader Of this journal knows as well
as Mr.. EvARTs that a Sheriff Of New York
cannot even follow criminal into New Jer-
sey without requisition duly countcrsigned
by the executive head Of the latter common
wealth. II will take more than the ipse DIRT
OF de fdcto Secretary Of state 10 convince
us that the Rio Grande is less sacred than
the North river. or that the relations Of two
wholly Independent nations are more iufor-
NAL and intimate than those Of States in
the American Union.
II is true that under the Instructions above
referred to, and the species Of discretionary
authority conferred upon Gen. ORD a num-
Der Of petty and for their colorado pur-
pose abortive raids have been made into
Mexican territory. As it has happened. the
Government of DIAz has been too inse-
cure or too busy during the past twelve
month TO vindicate the national dignity on
remote frontier; and accordingly the so
called search parties despatched 10y Gen.
ORD, in furtherance 81 the war complut
hatched in Washington, had the luck to
escape conflict with the Mexican troops.
Now Mr.. EvARTs must be supposed to have
learned something at Geneva and else
where touching international law. He
must be absolvcd therefore from the hope
OF founding right of invasion upon
prescription But what he did compass by
II series Of unwarrantcd unrcsistcd forays
on n puny scale was prctext OF virtual
connivancc, Of a taclt understanding, on the
part OF Mexico, which might be turned to
shrewd account when the decisive blow was
struck. Otherwise the most cunning diplo-
matst might find 1t awkward to cyade the
precedent establlshcd-t to go no further
by our own action in 1916 At that time, a.
we find set forth in the second annual mes
sage of President POLK, the sole but sunl-
ccnt ground for our declaration Of war was
the crossing Of the Rio Grande, eastward,
by Mexican troops in pursuit Of Texans,
whose independence had never been ac-
knowlcdgcd.
Do the people Of this country understand
how near they were last week TO being
plunged, as the result of II deep-aid, adrOit-
iy-cnginccred conspiracy, intOa costly, wan
ton and most niqutous conllcti Let us
consider the facts rected in the Ameri-
ran version of the dsgraccful affair and
We cannot fail 10 see that an extra
grain Of spirit and sel-rcspcct on the
pnrt Of the Mexican commander, or a dash
Of the brayO's eagcrncss 10 meet the secret
Nl'l Va Hl7 'HlIhll'IS vi lIt phIJ Oh Otn,
MACkENHlf, must have precipltated a war.
IL appears that the American column,
whirh, with It's infantry and cavalry, its
section Of artlicry and Calling guns, made
up force superior in appointments and
not greatly inferior In numbers TO that
which Gen. TAYLOR led across the Texan
frontier IN 1916, penetrated the territory OF
the Mexican republic to point forty-iiye
miles distant from the place of crossing.
and not far from the considerable town OF
Sar0gossl. Hero they were met by de
iachmrnt Of the regular Mexican army
under Col. VALDEZ, drawn up In line
II battle. The Mexican commander in
CURED, as he we'll might, the purpose
OF this INVASION and apprised MAcKRN-
1IE that he had orders to defend the soil of
Mexico against unwarranted intrusion. lie
went ON 10 intimate that his Government
proposed to discharge tho polioc functi, N
within It's boundaries and the American
troops could prUcocd no further To this
"snlhed and reasonable renoustrance MAG
hLNHlE replied by bidding Col VALDEZ
got Que OF his way" adding tho threat
uat II tho latters forces were not with