Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-08-20
w ORC E S r Err
THURSDAY. AUGUST so. 1853.
The French In Mexico.

The French invasion of Mexico is likely to
give Louis Napoleon more trouble and bring
more disgrace upon his government than he
will find agreeable. 1t was prompted by such
motives as govern the conduct of highway
men. Certain Frenchmen connected with
government circles, OF having access to them,
made a list of heavy claims against Mexico
that had no foundation in justice. The pro-
ceeding was baser than downright robbery on
the highway. But, in support Of this yillany,
Louis Napoleon undertook the war He
had other designs, and was glad of preteXt
for the invasion. He engaged the concurrence
of England and Spain; but they soon became
ashamed of the business; and as Mexico was
ready to satisfy all reasonable demands, their
troops were Withdrawn.
The French, continuing the war, have adj
vanced to the city of Mexico; but they have
not conquered the Mexicans. nor will they do
SC Immediately. Their system of warfare,
however, is barbarous in many respects.
They have sliced many loyal Mexicans ard
exiled them to the French colonies and their
barbarites at the city OF Mexico have included
the merciless hogging of respectable Mexican
wemen for refusing to receive French soldiers
into their houses. Such things cannot be sat
isfactory to the people of France. The story
of these floggings will be told in the drawing
rooms of Paris and every chivalrouS French
man will feel that his nation is dishonored.
This war against Mexico, never popular with
the French people, will become odious to
them, and Louis Napoleon's ''grand scheme
for establishing his power in Mexico and Cen
trail America, and controlling the communica-
ton between the Atlantic and Pacific, will
cost him great deal more than it is worth.
This invasion is made still more atrocious
by the fact that he seeks to break down the
most liberal and promising government the
MeXicans have had since they became indie
pendent of Spain. 1t had successfully organ
lied the force of the people against the mill
taryand clerical factionists, from whose mach
nations that country has suffered SO much.
1t seemed in fair way to suppress
the influence of these troublers of the
nation and establish order in the place
of anarchy. Nothing like it had previously
been successful; and nothing in Mexico hos
tile to it had any hope of resisting its sway.
The anarchists had lost their power to extem-
porize revolutions, and Mexico seemed likely
to have high style of national life. 1t is
against this condition of Mexican affairs that
Louis Napoleon has undertaken his crusade;
and for this he deserves the execraton of eve
~ friend of free institutions throughout the
world
He has proclaimed Mexico an empire, and
selected an Austrian prince to be his emperor.
This ludicrous movement would provoke
laughter if it we've not so base. His emperor
can exercise no power in Mexico beyond the
lines of the French army, and cannot be safe
there without the constant protection OF that
army. If placed in the hands of the Mexican
people without such protection, he raNEGS;&&tta
swiftly have thetatf , IT the Austrian prince Sc
eo a li,,'will accept the ''throne" offered. He
may be stupid enough to do SO; but, should
he go to Mexico ne would not stay there
long, for France cannot well afford to keep
large army there permanently, and he would
not dare to remain in that country alone.