Year: 1871

Mexican Outrages su Ansrican Citixeas.


We have become 20 used to suffer patiently
outrage at the hands Of our Mexican neigh
bors that the news Of an insult offered to the
American Consul at Monterey scarcely at
tracted serious attention. No doubt the mag
nitude of the offence is lost in the insignif-
canoe of the offender; at the same time 1t is
matter for careful consideration how far we
may carry our patience without injury to our
national interests. Had such an outrage as
that offered to our flag at Monterey been
perpetrated in any other country than
chronically revolutionary Mexico, public
opinion would have at once called
for prompt reparation. That we should
permit our dignity to be insulted with impunity
by Mexicans, while we exhibit extreme sensi-
tiveness in our communications with other
peoples is one Of those unaccountable contra
dictions to be found in the lives of nations as
of individuals. But there must be limit to
forbearance, and the Mexicans seem bent on
pushing us to that point where we can no
longer suffer passively the injuries inflicted
on us.


For some time an organized system Of
brigandage has fourished on the Texan
border, bands of armed men crossing
the Rio Grande and plunderng American
citizens, while the Mexican authorities
connive at the outrage and refuse all redress
to the complaints of the victims. No
doubt these raids have not the sanction of
the Mexican government, which in the wild
northern district exercises but little control;
but it must still be held accountable for them.
If it be not equal to the task Of restraining
plunderers aud marauders on the frontier it
fails in one of the essential duties as the ex-
ecutive of a civilized nation. Indeed, the
conduct of Mexican citizens in levying war
contributions on the representatives of a
friendly nation makes their claim to be
considered civilized somewhat doubtful.
For whatever may be thought Of the
morality of robbing the natives under
the pretence of raising war contributions,
there can only be one opinion about
men who plunder foreigners and tram
pie under foot the rights of hospitality
and the respect due to the flag of friendly
nation. The complaints of our government
will probably be met by expressions of regret
by the Mexican authorities; but the time has
come when some more solid satisfaction must
be exacted than can be found in diplomatic
phrases.


The Washington government owes it to the
nation to see that ample compensation be
given to such of our citizens as have been vic
timized, whether by the plundering revolu-
tionists or the border brigands. If Mexicans
will continue to amuse themselves with revo-
lutions and pronunciamentos they must do so
at their own expense, and every party in that
unhappy country must be taught that they can
not with impunty offer insult to our flag or to
the meanest of our citizens. 1t is impossible
that self-respecting people can quietly suffer
person of our Consul at Monterey. That he
acted with the spirit which becomes the repre-
sentative Of free people gives him the
stronger claim to the support of the govern
ment In answer to the demands of Trevino
for large war contribution, Mr.. Ulrich
claimed the protection of his character as
Consul and took refuge under his flag.
Only to avoid the indignty of being
cast into prison did he consent under pro-
test, to pay the money demanded. Such a
deliberate breach of the rights of nations could
only take place in Mexico but it should not
be allowed to pass without exacting full and
ample satisfaction. At this moment, when a
protracted civil war may be expected, it is of
the first importance to the interest of our citi-
zens in Mexico that our government should
take such steps as will convince all parties
that we are both able aud resolved to protect
our citizens from all wrong.