Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-06
TWO HISTORIC TOWNS.
The Centre of the Present Compli'
cation on tho Mexican Frontier.

cation on tho Mexican Frontier
From, the PhUadeypAia Times.
The town OF FL Paso, the centre OF the
present complications with Mexico, is a
place of historic memories and interest
ing associations. Ugly and distasteful,
socially and exteriorly, the frontier city
of Texas is bound to have a great COM
mercial future. There is but little left
of the old border romance, but all its
deviltrv and coarseness remain, supple
mented by an InhOspitable lust of gain,
which makes residence among such com
munities a torture to any sei-respecting
| and sensitive person. Yet l found
such persons there, and with my
Mexican friend, Mr.. Vallejo,
discussed them and their sur
rOundings. The present disturbance be-
gan after Mr.. Veileio left the frontier,
and his only knowledge of its cause
arises from the fact that Editor Cutting,
of FL Paso, the Texas town, is severe
assailant and critic of the MeXIcans. His
general course has been designed TO
breed disorder between the TWO coun-
tries. Paso del NOrte, the Mexican town,
or preside, was an Indian village CEN
turtles before the Spanish missionaries
and soldiers made their appearance on
post ever since. A free port under the
Mexican tariff system, and the northern
terminus OF the Mexican Central rail-
way, III is now a place of considerable
Importance. The American portion of its
population, which Is considerable, is dis
tinctly divided into two classes--the hon
est, Woodworking railway people and
their oppOsites, in every sense, the idle
and ruthanly refuse, even when not aC-
q asl ct
ward ctassesA OF course their presence
attracts and breeds vice, and the Mexican
officials are not at ali patient or pleased
with such conditions. Paso del NOrte is
made historical by the fact that Presi-
dent Juarez made it his headquarters for
nearly two years and that during that
time the lines he was able to hold against
the French and Austrians occupying the
city OF Chihuahua ana most of the State
was all in fact that the Republic OF Next
co could claim TO actually possess. 1t
is declared by old soldiers OF the CalifOr-
MIA cavalry brigade, under West and Mill
ton, which held New Mexico and Arizona
for the Union, that the old church build
ing at Paso del Norte was armed with
Parrot guns and Spencer rifles furnished
the MeXfcans under secret orders from
Washington, and that the CaifOrnians
were always permitted to have fur
louSuS WneutfeT lne Te0Cn IFOODB came
too near the JuareZ headquarters. With
these furloughs in possession the Ameri-
can soldiers managed to straggle across
The line and cOngregate in Paso del
Norte. 1t would be we'll if the same
frieadliness now prevailed, but the re.
verse seems to be the fact. There is at
all times desire on the border for ad-
venture in pastures new, provided, how
ever, they belong TO our neighbors and
not 10 ourselves.
do not moan to suggest, however, that
our Texan friends are altogether in the
wrong as to the case of Mr.. Cutting, now
creating such excitement in Western
| Texas. The Mexican judicial methods
are so entirely the opposite of ours, that
an arrested American and his friends are
eXcusable for considerable degree of
anger. A man charged with an ofense in
Mexico, especially IL he is an American
! is always considered to be guilty and is
treated as such until he has proven him
! self innocent, not an easy task when Of
ficials, court and pOpulace look at such
things from an entirely different stand
point. In the border towns or Mexico, it
must be acknowledged, there is mani
fest desire to squeeze an American where
ever 1t is possible, and without question
this method has been tried ia the Cutting
case. Mr.. Vellejo, like other sensible
| MeXicans who understand our life, &C
kuowledges that the Mexicans have much
TO learn in judicial matters.