San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-08-26
Shifting the Battle Afar on.
Victoria Advocate.

Shifting the Battle Afar on.
Victoria Advocate.
The weeks exciting news from the
Mexican border, intensified by the
attitude of the state government, has
been the cause OF considerable dis
cussion among our warlike popula-
ton. This element IL must be un-
derstood, consists mainly OF those
who know "hawk from handsaw''
wnen it comes to campaigning. and
the the conclusions arrived at may be
accepted, we think, rs worthy of at
tention in case Gov. Ireland's i'm
piled threat to attack Mexico is car
ried into effect First, it has been
decided that the proper point to in
wade Mexico is through El Paso.
The strategic reasons for selecting
that place are obvious. A line OF
railway is in operation from thence
direct to the greaser capital, which
must of necessity be considered the
objective point aimed at. There are
regular daily passenger trains over
this road, thereby offering the advan-
tage OF quick time. Through sleep.
ers may be obtained at moderate
rates, thus permitting the invading
army to arrive at its destination with
the least possible amount Of incon-
yenience. In case it is not 30 now,
il is likely an arrangement can be
made to have dining-car attached,
thereby avoiding oil necessity Of COM
pelling the army of occupation to
rely upon Mexican eating-houses,
where it is probable that the Mexi-
can style of cookery largely prevails.
The question of ice, umbrellas, linen
busters, fans, ETC., in case they could
not be secured in the enemy's terri
tory, would also be much simplifed
by selecting the Ell Paso route, to
soy nothing Of the ease with which
o retrograde movement could be
made as soon as the subjugation OF
Mexico was complete - probably in
about two weeks after the head OF
column reached Mexican soil. OF
course the theory of the above out
lined campaign is based on the idea
that the Mexican is constitutionally
of little value as q soldier, and would
most likely almost break his necl
running when he hears the American
eagle scream with delight as he buys
u through railroad ticket for the city
Of Mexico.
It is proper to say, how
ever, that there are those here who
have much to learn about GLORIOUS
war;. They entertain robust sus.
picion that military campaign inn.
plies miles of weary marching with
blistered feet, through heat and cold.
Instead of dining car fare, with linen
napkins and four-tined silver forks,
lit means mouldy hard-tack and ran
cid bacon, often in scant supply. In
place OF comfortable sleeper, with
mosquito-bar attachments and a SER
want to prepare iced drinks, ver-
min infested blanket and "dog-
tent. They think of the many hours
that must be spent crouched in a
muddy hole-known as rifle pit
anxiously wondering if the enemy
will conclude to retreat, with the
solacing satisfaction of knowing that
in case he should not do so, and
that right speedily, some man with
double row of buttons on his blue
coat and O couple OF stars on his
shoulder will simply direct o bugler
to give q few blasts on his devils
piano, as a signal for the line to rush
forward and be decimated. They
think of bullet holes and bayonet
thrusts; Of the surgeons, with their
polished knives and ragged amputat-
ing saws: Of disease and death, o
miserable existence minus leg OF
arm, or nameless grave. Therefore
| it is that the Advocate is not anxious
to take part in the threatened war.
We got enough Of it during the last
one, and are not now on war foot
ing. More than twenty years ago
we remember to have occupied O
front seat, and witnessed something
of free-for-all rumpus in this coun-
try. 1t was noticed then that the
loudest howlers for blood were rarely
found shedding any Of their own.
In most instances they discovered
that being shot at by q party OF utter
strangers was not conducive TO long
life, and they therefore declined TO
participate = those in the south
either emigrating to Mexico or Sc
curing soft positions where the whis-
tie OF bullet was never heard, and
those Of the north choosing between
a trip to Canada and place in the
quartermaster's department.. With
our present light il seems likely they
would be found doing the same thing
in case the United States flag crosses
the Rio Grande.
A very much excited gentleman OF
Des Moines, whose house was seri-