The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-31
STATE OR NATIONAL sovEREIeNTy.

eighty theory in real practice. The trouble
with the republic of Mexico, which has
threatened serious consequences has arisen,
not between the national government Of Mex
leo and the United States but between the
several Mexican States, which, by hasty and
arbitrary action, have given very grave offense
to this country. The United States and the
government at the City of Mexico are in the
fullest accord, and there is nothing of an I'M
pleasant nature between them. If there is
anything that the former takes exception to,
the latter is quick to afford every reasonable
reparation. Orders are at once sent to the Gov
ernor of the State in which the offense against
the United States has been committed, to
right the wrong done. So far as the general
government Of Mexico is concerned, there is
no fault to be found. But when the orders
are sent to the respective States where the
treaty between the two republics has been
dishonored the Governors of the same treat
them often with the greatest contempt and in
the end do as they please, carrying out prac
tically the theory of State sovereignty. The
Mexican States bordering the Rio Grande are
source of continual trouble to the home
government and but for the wisest manage
ment would be the means Of getting the two
countries into war. The folly of such attitude
is the more apparent when it is kept in mind
that these petty States are utterly unable to
defend themselves against the power they so
impudently offend. Asserting the doctrine
of State sovereignty, they often endanger the
entire Mexican government by committing
offenses that cannot be submitted to.
The lives and fortunes Of millions of
law-abiding citizens are imperiled by the
action of the men who hold to the pernicious
belief that the State is superior to the gen.
eral government In all disagreements be-
tween this country and Mexico the settlement
is effected between the government at Wash
ington and that at the City of Mexico. Were
not this wholesome principle the central one
in the Constitution Of this country and in that
of Mexico, we should see States on either
side of the Rio Grande bringing about war,
and executing treaties and carrying on hos
tilities, to the harm of millions of people
who are opposed to this species of anarchy.
There is safety to the people Of all the land in
the fact that there is central government
superior to any of the individual States in
the matter of affairs affecting other powers.
The theory of State sovereignty might plunge
Texas into war with any or all the Mexi-
can States, with what danger to the people of
Texas may be imagined. The very fact that
there is a republic this side the Rio Grande,
and that Texas does not stand alone is the
best guaranty of peace and safety to the citi-
zens of the Lone Star State. The men who
have cast their lot along the border of Mex
leo are assured in their rights by the fact
Fiat not only are the people of Texas pledged
to support them in their rights, but the wood
choppers of Michigan and Maine have an in
terest in the same direction, and altogether
there are some sixty million people who will
see that the rights of the people of Texas are
not invaded There is inspiration in the
thought that is enough to warm the heart of
every true American. It is not the right of
South Carolina or Indiana to involve the
other States in war, nor will either be left TO
its fate in event any foreign power pre-
sumes to infringe upon the rights Of even
The outrages committed by the States on the
border of the United States may yet compel
this country to demand repatriation from the
Mexican government and if it is not made, it
may become necessary to declare war to OBJ
tain justice; and if this issue is made, there
can be no DOUBT of the result. Texas will be no
more interested in it than will the other States
bound to that State in the bonds of the American
union. Thirty eight sovereign" States would
mean no more than one Of the same but all
wrought into one vast republic. assume pow
er and Importance that other powers are
D0unu TO respect. LHefe Is SOoO zeal Oh re-
assurance in the reflection that there is a gov
eminent of $4,000, 900 people interested in the
outcome of the trouble with the republic of
Mexico There can be no other feeling than
that every citizen of the United States will be
upheld in the demand for his rights at the
hands of the people of the government across
the Rio Grande.
THAT the Presidents vetoes are hasty and