The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-31 00:00:00

CONDITION OF MEXICO.

MAXIMILIAN has been blamed for remaiuirg in
Mexico after the French withdrew. We believe
that MAXIMILIAN in this case was substantially

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right—and that events have shown he was justified
in the course he adopted. We speak in reference
to the position iu which he was personally en-
tangled, and the way out of the difficulty. He
could have retired in safety from the country to his
native Europe in the possession of high rank and of
a large fortune. But he knew that he would leave
thousands the victims of a shocking persecution. It
would have been impossible for him to have enjoyed
a moment's peace who had thus sought his own
safety and case, leaving his followers to a terrible
fate. Some men could—but not MAXIMILIAN.
His life would have been blighted, his honour
gone ; and henceforth he would have dragged on a
weary and miserable existence. What would then have
beenit he judgment of the world which now condemns
him for rashness had his conduct been in accordance
with what it declares to have been advisable ?
From the nature of Mexican leaders and parties,
MAXIMILIAN foresaw that from the moment he
ceased to rule, the country would become the prey
of the most horrible excesses. If he could succeed
in establishing his power, unaided by foreign
bayonets, much of the anticipated anarchy would be
averted. If not, he could at least die gloriously,with-
out witnessing this misery, and leave an honourable
name recorded in history. He accepted the alter-
native when he found the decree against him with
the courage of a brave man, leaving an example to
his followers who since fell in thousands for his
cause. They at least had not the bitter pang when
led to execution that they were the victims, while
the chief who had deserted them was luxuriating in
European palaces, leaving them to suffer every ex-
tremity in Mexico. It is on this ground that his-
tory will justify MAXIMILIAN. Could he have
treated with JUAREZ, and felt secure of a general
amnesty following his abdication, the course pru-
dence dictated was to vacate the throne and return
to Europe. But he knew that this was impossible ;
he must either control in Mexico, die, or witness the
extermination of his adherents. MAXIMILIAN was
but the first of a frightful massacre. It is stated
that since his execution nearly 2,000 persons have
been shot without any trial whatever. ESCOBEDO
meant what he said, when he stated his hopes of
seeing the blood of every foreigner in Mexico shed.
Although DI Az on entering the capital did not
inaugurate so brutal a system of persecution, there
is in reality little difference between the rule in
Mexico and the rule in Queretaro. lie appears to
have directed alarge measure of his vengeance against
the Church. Religious institutions of all kinds
have been broken up, and 1,000 nuns turned
in to the streets. The advice by the Java :say
that JUAREZ is confiscating the Roman Catho-
lic convents. Priests have been compelled to
abandon their distinctive attire. The capital is in
a state of destitution, absolutely without money, yet
a heavy tax is being wrung from all possessors of
real estate. Hundreds of the most prominent
citizens have been thrown into prison, and as there
are no courts and no Government, save the will of
the General and his myrmidoms, they remain
t absolutely at his mercy. Every brigand in his
own circle controls the inhabitants by the force of
the bullet and the sword. Trade is annihilated, and
I all who can, have fled the capital to escape a rule
worse than the days of terror in the metropolis of
France. Those who knew anything ofle
Mexico were
of
ware that this would follow on the ascendancy a
bo ly of men, perhaps less fitted to rule their
fellows than any other class on earth. The effect
on the United States of such a scene of iniquity is
1 shown by the organisation of parties bent on inter-
' fering for the suppression of so damaging a scandal
to Republican institutions. The Asglo-Saxon can-
! not understand why a system of government, admir-
able in his case, should be unsuited for other races.
He might, in truth, as well attempt to feed his
infant on the food fitted for himself. But he does
not personally come iu contact with these
Mexicans, and he cannot therefore judge what
the effect really is. A large party of earnest
Liberals in the United States, honestly believing
that JUAREZ, ESCOBEDO, DIAZ, and the other
Republican commanders, are striving to establish
Liberal institutions in combating a usurper and a
form of government hateful to them, justify the
acts of the Mexican leaders. Thus STEVENS,
CHANDLER, HOWARD, LOGAN, and other members
of Congress, have in their places strongly