The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-05-04
ANNEXATION OF MEXICO.

The flibustering talk in regard to the
peninsula of Lower California is revivlng
the agitation which comes TO the front
periodically in reference to the annexation
of the northern tier of Mexican states.
Some of the American editors talk Of the
project as if all that is required IS for the
President of the United States TO issue a
proclamation declaring such Mexican terri
tory as may be desirable the property of the
United States, when the stars and stripes
will be Immediately foated from every pub
lie building, the eagle will float peacefully
over the valleys and the mountains, and the
people will at once become Yankees, boasti g
Of their revolutionary sires and their Unborn
patriotism. Some of these fellows write as
if America were Il nation of thieves and
highwaymen. aud as if it were thing to be
proud Of They talk as if it were right for
us to take what we want, regardless Of the
ownership and as if those we lay hold upon
would be delighted to be taken under our
protecting wing.
1t will not be denied that the drift OF
things is towards the absorption by
the United States Of a portion
Of Mexican territory. Americans are
going into the border states Of our
sister republic by the hundreds, acquiring
title to land, and devoting their energies to
the development and utilization of the re
sources of the country. American capital
IS being largely invested in Mexico, where
American enterprise is doing much for our
neighbOr The American who goes south
of the border line, while he lives under an
other flag, is none the less American than
when his home was north of the Rio
Grande, and his loyalty to the United
States is Just as intense as when he dWelt
under the stars and stripes His earnest
desire is that the American republic will
follow and take him in, and his influence is
exercised in that direction. 1t is said that
that influence is asserting itself in a grow
ing desire for the annexation Of the
southern states, some Of the most intelligent
Mexicans gradually coming to the belief
that it would be better for their country if
it were incorporated in the stable and
peaceful American union. When that sen
timent shall become sufficiently widespread
and pronounced, it will be time to talk ser
iOusly of annexation, not by war and con-
quest, but by the peaceful and satisfactory
method of sale and purchase. This is the
way in which the United States are in the
habit of acquiring territory, there being in
the method a sense of that justice so keenly
appreciated by our government, and the
plan leaves no ugly consequences. Itwould
not be much of trick to run the boundary
line three OF four hundred miles south, and
take in the strip of territory desired most
by Americans. It would involve short and
sharp war, the loss of a few hundred lives
and the expenditure of some millions of
money, which We can spare. But the act
would be followed by a sense Of shame
and dishonor which would continue with
us through all time. The Amesican gov
eminent would never get over the thought
that it had been guilty of brigandage. We
believe that in the course of time the
United States will extend not only over
Lower California but over the entire north
ern tier Of Mexican states. 1t seems inev-
liable that this will be so: but we do not
believe the arrangement will be brought
about by other than honorable methods,
such as will be satisfactory to Mexico and
creditable to the American sense of upright
ness. There will be no forcible anneXa-
ton, such as some unworthy Americans are
eager for, and filibustering expeditions
will not be countenauced in the negotia-
tons.