New-York tribune., 1885-08-18
elections will be permitted Mt the South or
secured by Democratic Administration.
THE MEXICAN MURDER.

Members Of the Mexican Congress are per-
mitted to murder foreigners without being SUD-
iected to the humiliation of imprisonmeht'
Colonel Omana, who recently shot Robert w &.
Hardy, of Brooklyn, was protected by legal
statute. the offence being bailable one. An
early trial of the case before a jury is promised
by the officials, who have informed the Amerl-
can Minister that they have an earnest desire
to see Justice done and the murderer punished
The Congressman's legal privileges, they assert
would have secured immunity from imprison-
ment if his victim had been a fellow citizen IN
stead of foreigner. They resent the idea that
there has been any sympathy on their part win
the criminal or any disposition to discriminate
against the victim on account OF nationality OF
birth. Secretary Bayard has instructed the
American Minister to watch the case closely
and to insist upon having the murderer tried IN
accordance with Mexican law. He considers
the Government helpless In this case, since 1t
cannot interfere with the course of justice
under the jurisdiction of a foreign State, its
ability to enforce legal procedure not extending
to crimes committed in the City of Mexico
The Secretary is probably correct in defining
the Limitations Of his official action in this case
Nevertheless we dislike to hear so faint pro-
test from the State Department against TINS
outrage Every country jealously guards the
jurisdiction of its courts and the application OF
its own methods of criminal procedure and the
Secretary is perhaps wise in leaving the official
representative of the United States to act upon
his discretion without receiving special instruc-
tions. But if the case is to be discussed in pub
lie at all the Seer etary ought to raise his voice
II n fhn ,,,nr An
young Hardy as a fragrant outrage upon Amerl-
can citizenship. If the archives OF the state
Department were to be searched there would
probably bc brought to light pamphlet written
by Mr. Foster. formerly American Minister TO
Mexico in which a great number OF similar
crimes were described IN detail. The victims
were American citizens, and punishment was
invariably withheld on one pretext Or another.
Outrages of this sort have been very common
during recent years. One iiagrant instance VIII
snfice. Three young Americans were mur-
dered at Angangano few years ago. lhe
bodies were first mntilated, then strapped TO
the tails of horses and dragged about the town
for the amusement of mob. The murderers
and leaders were known, but they were never
punished
Americans have been subjected to indignities
and outrages both in Mexico, Central America
and Cuba, because the administration OF the
State Department has been too often lacking IN
vigor, energy and self-respect. stronger and
less eqIvocal policy is needed. if onr citizens
are ever to hold up their heads in those coun-
tries and not feel ashamed of their nationality.
A German or an Engshman in Mexico is not a
contemplate figure in the eyes of officials and
people. Both are looked upon "a protected
subjects by virtue of their citizenship. The
American only is despised. albeit he stands for
a Republic representing a citizenship of fifty
millions.