The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-14


world, and the HERALD would never have been
the great power Of the country. As 1t II, We
arc only the exponent Of Americanism In our
superior enterprise, circulation, advertising pa
tronage and influence. The Americans are de-
termined to be superior to any other nation in
the world, and the HERALD would be really
guilty Of horrible treason il it did not always
surpsss oil other papers.
A New Proposal for Mediation-A Hint
for Mr.. Seward.
1t is evident from the tone of the French
official and semioficial organs that the EN-
peror Napoleon perseveres in his determination
of offering to this government bis mediation.
We are inclined to believe that he will use his
every effort to induce other European Powers
to join him in this course of action, and that in
furtherance of this desire he has appointed
new ambassador to the Court Of st. James The
person just displaced, the old Count de Flahault,
was not sufficiently active to bring abouta joint
movement on the part Of England with France
as regards our affairs, and so Baron Gros, q
bold, determined experienced diplomat, as
sumes his position; and, If England can be won
over to Napoleon's views, he is just the man to
accomplish it. We do not anticipate, however,
that success will attend his efforts Eng
land is but too glad to see France
getting deeper and. deeper in the tur-
moils of that Mexican expedition to grant
her assistance to Napoleon, for the purpose of
making great show by interfering with the
United States, and enabling him, under cover
of this move, to withdraw from the Mexican
expedition. The statesmen of England are
quite farseeing enough to comprehend that in
any quarrel with us Napoleon must lose pres
tige and power, as we should certainly defeat
his most vindictive efforts; and thus they will
leave him to his fate, and let him get out of his
present trouble Is best he may.
A review Of the movements Of the French
army since they first invaded Mexico shows .
total want of success. In no instance have the
French gained any important or lasting benefit.
They have spent millions upon millions Of trea-
sure, have lost thousands of men by the enemy
and by disease, and are ct this moment as far
from the accomplishment of their purpose as on
the day they first landed upon the sQa Of
Mexico Their reserves arrive ut Vera Cruz
but just in time to replace the victims of the
fatal diseases which declnate their armies
while in the matter of provisions and transports
they find both falling ever into the hands Of the
guerillas or marauding bands, which prowl
around their encampments and seize upon the
army trains and all stragglers. This is = fear
full condition Of affairs, and is rendered all the
more disastrous and melancholy for France
when we take into consideration that the people
Of Mexico, for whom the Emperor Napoleon
ia so ambitious, cannot comprehend the immen-
sity Of his Majesty's views, and refuse his
pronsred aid and administration, aud that with
determination which, instead Of faltering,
seems to grow stronger and de9ber
Under these sad circumstances we deem II
the duty Of our government to show towards
Napoleon Ill. the same solicitude which he be-
trays towards us. and we seriously call upon
Mr. Seward to offer to France our mediation in
Mexico. If that Is not accepted, we must threat
en- to break the French blockade, and carry
to the Mexicans arms and any munitions
they may want, a. . proof Of our friend
ship for France and of our heartfelt
desire to settle her troubles on this continent.
We might, in imitation of Englsnd's example,
build few privateers (tbe word Is more gen.
tccl than pirate), and prey upon French com
merce, taking care, Of course, to do so under
the Mexican flag, although we may, if we
choose, always in imitation Of England, have
the crew Americans. Should we, for the CON-
plete success of the enterprise in question, pick
out our most experienced gunners, we should
be initiating to the letter the example set US by
England in the way Of strict neutrality.
Mr.. Seward will, we hope, see at once the
feasibility, not to say the humanity, Of our sug-
gestion. France is burning with impaticnce to
mediate with us. We surely cannot be out
done by France in generosity. She feels the
deepest commiseration for our misfortunes and
would at oil risks and hazards stop the effusion
Of blood in our country. Surely we are bound
to feel the same commiseration for her in
Mexico. We must mediate. and the sooner
the better. Our administration cannot plead
other and more lnomentous occupations. Is not
Napoleon overwhelmed with care and anxiety,
Has he not enough and more than enough upon
his hands And jet we see that he devotes his at
tention to US with generous pertinaoity. We
must mediate; and the sooner Mr.. Seward makes
the proposal the sooner will we stand In pro-
per light before the world. The difficulties Of
France in Mexico are narrowing, and, what Is
more, they are increasing The Mexicans re-
main blind 10 oil the advantages Of Napoleon's
rule, and they are shedding the blood Of their
would-be benefacton. They iassov them, assas-
sinate them. poison them. Really we must mo-
diate. and,'as . proof Of untiring and devoted
friendship to France, We must endesvor to in
duce other governments 70 join Us in our Offer.
England would doubtless gladly act wit, us.
Spain also while, TO render the offer the
more gracious, our government should request