San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-21
AMERICANS IN MEXICO.
HOW THEY ARE OUTRAGED WITH
IMMUNITY.
Cuttings Jail Companions Americans,
Also Illegally Restrained of
Liberty

of Charleston, 5. c.; the second was
wealthy gentleman who is engaged in
mining near Mexico. At his request,
we suppress his name because he has
shortly to return to Mexico and as he has
made truthful and damaging statements
OF Mexican tyranny, it might involve
| him in arrest or outrage in another
| form. The third was the LIGHT scribe.
Naturally the conversation turned
upon Mexican affairs, when the miner
said:
"Mexico has no regard whatever for
the
UNITED STATES As A NATION,
and therefore has less respect for an
American citizen. The Cutting case has
excited the country, and yet | tell you,
Sir, that his case is only one OF thous-
ands. Go through Mexico, examine the
jails, especially those OF the border
| towns, and you will find many Ameri-
can citizens who are jailed there with
out any real Justification. These are
mainly such as have no money or in
| fluence. They are arrested, cast into
ugly, damp, loathsOme pestilentlal pris-
ons, almost deprived OF light, air and
communication with the outer world,
| and given barely sufficient food to sus-
tain life. Here the unfortunate remains
| for weeks or perhaps months. Then he
may get the farce of a trial. ! say farce
because he IS sure to be convicted
whether he is innocent or not. Then he
| goes back to his cell, he remains there
ut the pleasure OF the officials. When
they are tired of him, If he don't die be-
fore they turn him loose ruined in health,
dishonOred and financially broke, TO get
| on in the world as best he can. One can
hardly believe that such things are daily
happening in Mexico, and yet America
is apathetic. Oh for Washington or
a Houston Being
sMTTTEN ON ONE CHEEK,
America turns the other, and Is smitten
in like manner. This may be good
Christianity in one sense, but it seems
to me that ii is bad policy, nay more, it
is treason to the people for the first duty
of every country is to protect her citi-
zen in the full enjoyment OF life and
liberty at home and abroad.
The action Of the American
government thus far, has brought
it into general contempt in Mex
leo, and Mexicans laugh and
and sheer at us. They say the Ameri-
can secretary Of state sent demand for
the release Of Cutting and instead OF
complying with it we fooled him as we
have done before" and open contempt
is expressed. They are evidently OF an
opinion that America cannot be forced
into a fight. Bad as the conditions are
now for Americans in Mexico it will be
infinitely worse II America backs down
now. The life of an American in Mex
leo now is a little better than yellow
dog. If the murder Of Rasures, and the
illegal detention of Cutting are not
indicated, the American will have
,hn 10
happiness or prosperity as a horse fly.
The Mexican never hesitates to
ATTACK AN AMERICAN
for he knows he has no protection and
must get the worst of 1t. To-day If an
American is attacked on the street there
is only one cry that will save him from
arrogance, persecution and injury that
is the TalismanTie cry 81 am a British
citizen" that will always secure him
aid from any official, and II he can prove
that he is one, he is safe and respected.
Why is this? Simply because Mexico
knows that England protects her citizen,
and known injury to one is sure to
bring retributiOn and PREPARATION.
Many Americans have saved themselves
from outrage by falsely claiming British
citizenship. This game has been worked
so often that the Mexican authorities
now demand some proof OF citizenship,
but at any rate will treat men respect
fully until the great question Is decided.
There is no nation in the world that
finds less respect than the United
States. If you are going there you had
better be an Italian, or even China
man, anything in fact in preference to
an American, If you expect to find JUS
tiCe in Mexico. This it Is that pru-
dence leads many American citizens in
Mexico to
DKNy THEIR COUNTRY
and become practically ashamed Of it.
Yet we sing Of "the land Of the free and
the home OF the brave" BAH To me
who knows and has seen all these things
il sounds like an hollow mockery.
| am democrat and have been since
could cast vote. There are many
more like me who spend great part of
their time in Mexico, yet hold property
here and are here when wanted to
cast our ballots and work for our party.
We have been reared in the cradle Of
democracy and have done our duty for
the party, but tell you. sir, that If the
democratic administration backs down
at this time and fails to maintain the
dignity of our country and the freedom
of our people, will turn my back on
utHOCTdCy III sudut. kutTt MI. mty-
marble said, "And so will I.") What we
say now thousands are saying in all parts
of the country. believe that II either
Blaine or Logan had been in the presi-
Dental chair, this matter would have
been settled long since to the honor of
the country and the satisfaction Of our
people. Blaine would have done. as
Great Britain has done,
SEND AN UI TIMATUM
release of our oountryman, unjustly de-
tanned, in "a hours, or we will come and
fetch him." IL this had been done all
the trouble would have been at an end,
for while Mexico may brag of her re-
sources, she knows well that she is in no
position to fight the American people.
| Our action In the past has given Mexico
the right TO take liberties with us. Let
us now let her understand distinctly
that America will, as her duty to her
people, In other words, she will protect
the life and liberties OF her citizens
wherever they may be and at any cost,
and Mexico will see that she has got to
respect us and act squarely to our peo-
pie. This question of the protection of
citizens in Mexico is an old one, with
which we have dallied too long, and one
that has to be placed upon a definite
basis. Now one citizen is fouly MUIR
dered, others are unjustly In jaii; IL is
time for firm and decisive action. There
is no halfway line at this time. 1t all
or none now. Ii must now be settled
peacably, II 1t can,
FoRCIBLY II IT MUST,
IL America is to hold her head erect In