Omaha daily bee., 1886-08-17

It is n controlling tendency Of po-
litical parties to turn everything to ac-
count that can possibly be perverted or
colored in the interest of one to tho IN
Jury of the other. This finds an illustra-
ton in the Mexican controversy. Cor
tain extreme republican journals, at the
beginning of the difficulty, professcd to
sec in it deeply planned democratic
conspiracy to inauguratc war in order
TO pcrpetuute that party in power, and
rather feeble and inconcluslve attempt
was made on the part of some of them to
find parallel in the democratic scheme
of ACKNOWLEDGMENT and slavery extension
that was the chief motive in the last war
with Mexico. On the other hand, the
statement is made that IN administration
circles, or ut least in the state depart
ment, the impression prevails that the
difficulties in the way of settlement
have been created not so much by McXi-
cans as by obliging friends in this coun-
try, who, in their efforts to embarrass the
administration, have suggested to
the Mexican authorities methods
of opposition which perhaps
they would not have thought
Of 1t is even claimed that the efforts of
MIR. Bainc's friends have been eXerted
to strengthen the attitude of Mexico i'll
order to show that "Mr. Bayard has
acted with too much haste and has been
too eXacting"
A very little analysis will show the abb
surdity of both these positions. In the
first place it must he remembered that
the primary cause of the arrest of Cutting
was the fact of his having slandered u
citizen of Mexico, one Emiglio Medina,
and 1t was purely personal and busi-
ness affair that led him to do this.
Medina had announced his intention to
publish paper in Paso del Norte, and
with the purpose of damaging the pro-
ject Cutting denounced him as rascal =,
deadbeat, etc. When arrested Cutting
signed form of reconciliation" pro.
vidcd for by the Mexican law and was
allowed to go, but it is alleged again put
the libel in circulation and was rear
rested, when it is charged he committed
! the further offense of putting him
self in contempt of the court.
| Now hit is possible that this last
act may have been in Il measure due to
the advice of Consul Brigham, but to as
sumo thatup to this stage the administra-
| ton or any responsible part of 1t had any
thing to do with promoting the difficulty
is too obviouslyridiculous to be accepted
by any man of intelligence and candor.
Inquiry as to the character of Cutting
| shows him to be a very worthless, un-
| principled and troublesome fellow, very
far from being the sort Of man which
would be selected by any responsible
body of men representing n party to be
the chief actor in n conspiracy intended
to involve two friendly governments in
war.
The charge that friends of Mr.. Blaine
or anybody else other than perhaps the
American minister and consul, have been
instrumental in embarrassing the admin
lstrat on in this matter is no less stupidity
ridiculous than the other assumption
Even if the Mexican government were
not abundantly able to take care of its
own diplomatic controversies il certainly
would not seek or accept advice
from American politicians. 1t could fine
no end of counscllors in other directions
Ill WHICH IL WOuIu liFc IlOIc COllhucuCc
But it is not apparent that the friends o.
Mr.. Blaine could have any obiectto to serve
by intermeddling. They certainly coult
not hope &c bring the administration into
disrepute with the people for promptly
asserting the authority of the governincn
in behalf of an American citizen who wa
believed to have been denied his right
and uniustly dealt with by a foreign gov
ernment. If friends of Mr.. Blaine wer'
speaking for him this is not the position
they would be expected to take, TO
promptness, decision and tirmness on th
part of the government in protecting it
citizens is cardinal part of tho politica
policy and capital of Mr.. Blaine. 1t i
unnecessary, however, to multiply illus
trations of the aDsurdity of the attemp
of certain newspapers to give the contro
vcrsy with Mexico political hue. The.
may secure the concurrence of few eX
tromc partsans, but the great maiorit
of the intelligent public will have no diff
tculty In seeing the ridiculous characte
OF their assumptions.
| |
The Presidents Veracity.
MIR Cleveland is not an ardent nd