Year: 1872

missiOn.


Some Of the important points In the report
of the Mexican Border Commission, which
were published in our Washington corre-
spondence yesterday, having become known,
or suspected. among members of the Mexican
Legation considerable uneasiness has been
manifested Mexicans, and particularly Mex
ican officials, ara apt to be very sensitive and
to make fuss, whether there be much
foundation for it or not but in this matter,
where there is the prospect of having to pay
large sum Of money for raids and plunder-
ing our citizens along the border, they ara
naturally much disquieted. Great efforts arc
made by the Legation to weaken the evidence
collected and presented by the United States
Commission relative to the depredations in
Texas and to make it appear that the new
governme ent under President Lerdo de Tejada
is capable and honest and will do all in its
power both to protect the border and to estab-
lish o conciliatory policy toward this coun-
try The Legation, it is reported, want
another Commission, on the ground
that the Commissioners authorized by
Congress at its last session and appointed by
the President were sent to the Rio Grande
border with view 'sto convict or mulct
Mexico in damages. Such special pleading is
an insult to our government and the Commits
sioners. There is no wish to make the case
appear worse than it is, either on the part Of
the administration or the Commissioners.
This country has been most forbearing and
kind to Mexico under its difficulties both dur
ing the French invasion and civil war, AID is
President, Lerdo de Tejada, all the encourage
ment possible in establishing peace and good
government in our neighboring Republic But
the first duty Of the administration and Con-
gress is to our own citizens Texas has been
invaded continually by robbers and murderers
from Mexico, and the government of that
country must be held responsible. System
atized robbery had become regular business.
and to such an extent, as the report shows,
that regular and an extensive trade in hides
taken from the stolen cattle in Texas has been
carried on in Mexico. Whether the damage done
be three millions or thirty millions, the claim
must be enforced and the Mexican government
must pay. A great nation is bound to protect
its citizens and territory and to obtain COM
pensation for wrongs committed. If Mexico
is unable to pay in money we might accept a
portion Of territory, which is sparsely settled
and Improbable to her, on the northern
border, as an adjustment And if the Mex
lean government should be powerless to pre-
vent incursions on our soil and to maintain
peace on the border, we must insist upon the
right Of pursuing offenders across the Rio
Grande. With a sincere desire to see the
Mexicans establish republican government
Of their own and to be prosperous, the United
States cannot permit the continued and
organized invasion of Texas and the rob-
berry and murder Of our citizens there. Nor
con this country be at the expense Of main
tanning q large military force to protect
American citizens and soil, or host Of civil
employees to prevent smuggling and frauds
upon its revenue. In short, should Mexico
not be able to perform the duties Of an adjoin.
ing and friendly nation, there will be no alter
native but an American protectorate over that
country, or the right Of exercising military
control over Mexican territory along the
border line with such compensation rs might
be provided for by treaty between the two
Republics.