The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-05-18


sibilitY for o new life to exist IN an old skin
-
THE question OF the Mexican complication
IS taking up the editorial space Of many
newspapers, and begins TO assume serious
ness that Is likely TO be productive Of compli-
cation between the two governments, if not
the absorption of Mexico by the United
States notwithstanding the assertions Of
General Grant that the Introduction Of a sys-
tenn of railroads by American capital is only
a move in the direction Of peace and pros
perity, and Notwithstanding that the public
sentiment OF the United States IS opposed to
the acquisition Of any more territory, and
especially its ayerse feeling to incurring new
danger to its political institutions by an at
tempt to incorporate an Glen race, there is
still the almost absolute certainty of such
complication and absorption, and the dan
gers and internal troubles arising from di-
yersity Of interests, national aspirations, and
the introduction Of powerful element which
from every cause will never, and can never
become part Of our polity and social life.
There is little use in lndulging in high
sounding and sentimental talk about these
possibilities or the dangers that are likely TO
spring from their accomplishment. Their
coming is among the things Of an inevitable
future, which is inevitable from the very
nature of the force of Capitalization, which
is slowly and irresistably grinding humanity
into an unrecognizable social and political
mass whose expression is capital and labor,
and whose terms are dollars and cents. Be-
fore these there is no social system and no
form OF government that can withstand
them, and nothing can prevent their logical
sequences. Government cannot stop it be-
cause the surplus of labor and capital must
have room for expansion and If this expan
siye outward movement is stopped from any
cause They will lose their vitality and die.
It must have food, and if it can not find
il from without it will turn and consume it.
self
The trouble with Mexico will come from
foreign influence upon the Mexican people,
capital from adverse foreign influences. The
Mexican trade has been ID German and En-
glish hands SO long, and 50 many OF the
Mexican people have become in d business
way identified with them, that they cannot
but be Influenced to act against Us, through
the necessity which our competition will
bring, and at frs these interests will over
shadow any that we can hope to create, al
lion and trouble between them, and conae-
unenl Interference on our part for the pro-
lection OF people and capital
1t is impossible for the United States to
eYade It's responsibility as the arbitrator OF
The 1estinies of North America. Its power,
Its wealth, and the necessities Of its COM
,nerce will not admit of any but an aggres-
aive policy, and although cur aggressiveness
may be cuniined to the legitimate channels
Of trade, this trade is bound to absorb pow
lit t0 itself iii Mexico as It has ii the United
States, aud IS DONG everywhere, and will
control il with equal persistence in both. i
is not 50 be expected that nexico can control
the vast corporations she has admitted within
her borders. YTe have not been able to con
troll them here, but to the contrary they are
the vital powers il our nation to-day, and
they will Influence cur government TO act
with them N Mexico, even 70 rob the Mexi-
can people. Is they hav6 influenced II TO act
,sfffa thnrs1 IN rfsnfsifg our own
There can he 20 question but that the