St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-14
THE MEXICAN COMPLICATION
no rho Fd{ror IF tbe GIDha.

To the Editor of the Globe:
Is it the opinion of the GLOBE that the
CUTTING case is sufficient provocation for
war with Mexico? And would war at this
time be benefit or injury to the country.
st. Paul, Aug. II. INQUIRER.
The GLOBE does not claim recognition as
standard authority on international law,
but looking at the CUTTING case from the
common sense standpoint, that it strikes the
average American citizen, we are free to
say that unless CUTTING is released and
an apology offered by the Mexican govern
ment for his detention, then it is the duty
of this government to declare war against
Mexico. This government itself has made
the amende honorable to foreign power
for less grievous otfense than the CUT
TING matter. 1t will be remembered that
when the rebel commissioners, MASON and
SLIDELL, were taken from a British
vessel by, al American naval officer,
and when the British government de-
manded the return of the prisoners,
they were restored. This government did
not feel that it was Inundated by doing an
act that was simply in obedience to the re-
quirements of international law. And be-
ing an observer of the law ourselves, it is
no more than right that we should require
other nations to submit to its provisions. If
Mexico doesn't come down in response to
our demands then resort to arms is justi-
fable.
The GLOBE is also of opinion that little
scrap with either Mexico or Canada, or with
both of them for that matter, would do no
special harm. Peace is always preferable
to war, and we would gladly see the time
arrive when spears should be beaten
into ploughshares and nations should
have war no more. But the world
is not yet ripe for that millennial condition
of things, and until it is we must expect
more or less bloodshed. There is nothing
that tones up the system of national unity
so much as an occasional war with some
foreign power. 1t awakenS the latent
patriotism of a people, and thus adds to
the power and stability of nation. There
are peculiar reasons why a foreign war
would have happy effect in Strengthening
national sentiment among the people of
the United States at the present time. So,
looking at it from this standpoint alone. we
would give it as our opinion that war with
M6XlcO dC tllS Ulllle WOulu D6 more OF q Dell-
eft than an injury.
But there is another reason why wal
with Mexico should be rather courted by
this government than avoided. The re-
suit of such war would be the greatest
act in the drama of American development
that has yet been exhibited. In the ripen-
ing process of national destiny the time is
rapidly approaching when the land of the
Aztecs shall be carved into American states.
It Is the course of manifest destiny, and
while it MAY not be sought it cannot be
avoided. The philosophy of political
motion will bring it to pass. Everything
conspires to link the destinies of the two
countries together, and the sooner it is
done the better will it be. The expansive
principle of this government will never
reach its limit until Mexico and Canada have
been annexed. And looking at it from this
standpoint, the GLOBE is prepared to say
that a war with Mexico will be more of g
benefit than an injury.