The New York herald., 1862-06-20
Oar Foreign Relstions-MextcO ans
France-A Subject for Congress.


France-A Subject for Congress.
1t is matter Of surprise that the late extra
ordinary and ominous events In Mexico have
failed to attract the slightest notice from either
branch of our national Legislature, although
the two houses have been in session six days in
the week, with some exceptions, since the first
Monday in December last.
| Within the momentous interval from that day
to this the combined naval squadrons of Eng
land, France and Spain, in the form of Holy
Alliance, have occupied Vera Cruz; and after
its occupation this triple alliance has been bro
ken up, leaving the work of the subjugation of
Mexico to the French army landed on Mexican
SOIL This army, after fighting its way two
thirds of the distance to the Mexican capital,
has been signally defeated and ignominiously
| driven back by the Mexicans. Generally con-
| sidered abroad as the most feeble and con-
temptible people in the world, in war, if not in
| everything else, these Mexicans have routed
and dsgraced an army Of French veterans,
| wearing the honors of their campaigns in
| Africa, the Crimea and Italy. This will never
| do for Louis Napoleon. This disaster must be
repaired. His empire may depend upon it.
He must do something to recover the military
prestige which he has lost in this business and
| to this end, between the shipment Of larger
| army to Mexico and war in Europe, he has no
alternative
If he should persist in his scheme for the re-
duction Of Mexico to the condition of French
protectorate like Rome, or to French colony
| like that of Algiers his contemptuous disregard
NJ e s,fn~
vention in American affairs will. sooner or
later, bring about collision between the
United States and France. On the other hand,
| if Louis Napoleon should conclude to abandon
his QutSotic Mexican enterprise, as game not
worth the candle, he, in order to reconcile the
French people to this thing, will be compelled
to pick quarrel with England, Austria, the
Gar, the Sultan or the Pope, which may in
volve the whole European continent in war.
With regard to Mexico, some months will
| elapse before another French army can be
landed at Vera Cruz. In the meantime we
| shall have established an iron-clad navy supe-
rior to that of Franco or England; and, with
this domestic rebellion suppressed we be
strong enough to put an end to this Napoleonic
idea of making French colony of Mexico, al
though England may support Napoleon. With
| an army of million of men in the field, should
the occasion require it, we can make short work
with our European neighbors in Mexico and
Canada and the government at Washington.
from the pressure of public opinion, will cheer
fully undertake the work.
Louis Napoleon, in this foolhardy Mexican
enterprise, seems to have forgotten the in
structions of the last three hundred years, and
appears to have assumed hesimperial preten-
sions Of Philip the Second Of Spain. To warn
him in season of his danger, and to save him
from the inevitable disasters Of war with the
United States, or the necessity Of continental
war in Europe, we hope that, without further
delay, this Mexican subject will be brought up
and thoroughly ventilated in Congress. Let
the everlasting negro rest day or two, until
England and France are informed, through
full discussion in Congress-, of the. public
opinion Of this country, and the policy and ex-
pectations of our government in reference to
Mexico, and we are sure that the interests of
peace will be subserved in both henisphercs.
LoRD BRoUGHAM UpoN THE AMERICAN WAR;
The venerable octogenarian, Lord Brougham,
has been delivering himself Of rather q remark
able speech before the English National Asso
citation for the Promotion Of Social Science
The speech seems to be merely rehash
Of the most violent articles of the Lon
don Times. Lord BIougham describes this
war as waged "by the whole people, frantic
with mutual hatred. filed with thirst of ven-
20, ho oclaly by o+ha
slaughter" A visit to New York city, which
is astonishingly peaceful and quiet, would per-
haps change the noble lords opinion upon this
subject. Referring probably to Bull Run Rus
sells letters, Lord Brougham speaks of the
epidemic slander and falsehood" which per-
vades accounts from this country, and then
gently glidcs into glittering generalities upon
the theme Of democracy. "In all ages,r says
| the noble lord, "the tendency Of democratic
rule has been to promote war" This is so silly
| a sophism that even Lord Brougham can sup
port 1t only by the example Of France, where de-
| mocracy has never been fairly tried. The his
tory Of this country confutes any such
assertion, although, - Lord Brougham remem-
bers to forget, this is o republican, not de-
mocratic, government. Democracy con-
tinuos the noble ford, 'is tyrant Of many
heads, and the people control the government.
| This may be very true. but 1t il not very new.
Indeed, it strikes US that the government Of the
people is synonymous with democracy, and not
an attribute OF democracy. That the people
may rule wisely, however, Lord Brougham
tacisly admits; for he culogizss us for our sup
l urassion of the slave trade This sneech then
does Lord Brougham very little credit. Like
.most Englishmen, he is totally ignorant of
our affairs and Of the theory and practice of
our government Wise as he may be in most
| matters, he IL only new and shining illustra-