The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-08-27
MEXICO,

MEAlSO'
Expense Of u War-What Is Needed on the
border,
The very well informed correspondent Of
the Boston Herald writes from the City OF
Mexico; A war with Mexico would, am
quite sure, be an enormously costly one
for the United States, Mexico let 1t be
borne in mind, is a very huge country-as
big as all the United States east oil the
Mississippi river, Its coasts are hot and
deadly Tor Northerners, and its vast
stretches of table-land are guarded by
rugged mountains in whose Businesses
banda OF hardy guerlllas could maintain
for years devastating warfare, II we lind
1t hard to subdue handful OF
Apache Indians, how much more
so nation Of 100000 people
fighting for their native land and
urged on by tho inspiring motive OF the
purest patriotism, The Mexican Army ia
fine organization. II consists OF 10000
officers and men on q peace footing, but
could soon be extended to 100000 mon,
used to hardship, with officers OF veteran
experience. and every man OF them ell
familiar with the CountryRnd able to sub
sist on rationa which would starve an
American soldier, With handful oil
torIillas and little RteWed nopal Leaf the
hardy Mexican common soldier could
march and fight, The Mexican cavalry ia
a splendid corps. 1t would be hard to
find better hOrsemeni their rurAles COM
pose IN unexCelled body of cavalry. In
the war OF lSiG4S tho Mexican cavalry
were mounted on light horses, which
could not stand the impetus Of u charge OF
heavily mounted American dragons, but
this Is all changed now, and the Mexican
horse soldier is well mounted, This army
would fight; you may be sure OF that.
Thus it is plain that war with Mexico
would not be child's play; no promenade
to the halls OF the MonteZumasi no picnic
on the wild.swept table lands. II the
United States desires war with this COun'
try, 1t must count the cost seriouRly. Hun
dreds OF millions OF dollars would be re-
uuired to pay the bill, and thousands Of
lives must be lost. Aud II even the United
States conquered Mexico, what would bs
gained? The force allegiance Of a resentlul
people; the annexation Of a nation which
could never be aSsmiated and which
would mover become part and parcel OF
the Union. Mexico would be sort Of
back-door Poland, even ready to flame
into revolt, compelling the garriaoning Of
its chief cities by costly standing army
and a perpetual campaign with guerilla
Chieitans, who would harrass cur settlers
and destroy American properties.
Away back when Tom Corwin was
United States Minister here, that discern.
Ing old chap told an English resident who
still lives that "the United States could
never afford to take Mexico, for its posses.
sion wouldoverturn American institutions,
by compelling the presence here Of q
standing army whose commanders would
at this remote distance, get up pronun.
CigmientoH against the Federal Govern
ment.
am thoroughly convinced that tho best
use that the United Statea can make Of
Mexico Is to mako her friend and ally.
The two nations should have common
coinage, should be allies defensive and
offensive and maintain for ever their ter.
ritorial individuality. 1t will be our fault
as nation II we do not weld this sympa.
thGtiC and brave nation to us. The MeXi-
can people are imbued now with modern
ideaH, they agpiro to become great
nation, they admire the success OF our
people, but they desire 10 be free and In.
dependent.
But the objection may DO raised, what
shall We do II the MexiCanB mistrGat
American citizens on tine border? You
may put 1t down as certain that, rs long as
De- Ina tFtn VVin hn
stantly occurring troubles, owing to the
character Of the population. Tho Texans
are not noted for special gentleneBs Of
speech or manner, and the Mexican caught
on the American side In any oGense
against the law, or even suspected Of
crime, is certain 10 have q Bwlit and not
always impartial trial. On the Mexican
side, too, there are many troublesome
people, smugglers by proiession-a hardy,
dangerous lot.
Weneed on hefrontier force OF troops,
picked men, men who have discretion and
realize that they arc put there not to stir
up strife, but 10 keep the peace. A
similAr corps OF troops is also required on
the Mexican side. In addition there should
be in perpetual session at some important
uuIuGI lulhL hl4 AAtBllNllOhUl Cuulb " NY
cases involving delicate points Of jurisdiC.
ton, and special code on which this
court may work should DO framed. The
court should be half Mexican, half Ameri.
can. Its powers should DO full and final.
With such policing Of the frontier, and
with such court OF final resort there, |
am convinced that "border troubles"
would no longer stir up tho bad blood Of
either nation.
The court should decide the questions
Of extraditlon arising in the border towns
and BuChsham eless scandals as the Rasures
cases where Texas official gave up with.
out examination, to the malice Of a Mexi.
can official naturalized American citizen,
could not occur. The Rasurea case in.
wolves both Texans and MexiCans, and Is
not q case Of Mexican outrage" for Mon.
dragon had no authority Of Mexican law
TO back up his demand for Rasures, and
consequently the Mexican Government is
not to be held to account In the case. But,
rest assured, Mondragon will either be a
refuge from justice or be shot before long,
for his brutal crime Is abhorred by hts
Government.
When Animals IIOnr.