The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-17

The Emperor Maximilian has recently
made tour through several interior
States to make himself familiar with
the wants of the country and the views
and wishes of the people. On his re-
turn to the capital he has written
letter, undoubtedly intended for pub
licity, to the Minister of State, in which
he sets forth the main principles which
are henceforth to control his Govern
ment
The Emperor affirms that he met in
every city, town aud village which he
visited, with the most enthusiastic re-
CeptiOn, which left no doubt in his
mind that the establishment of the
Empire is the wish of an immense ma
jcrity of the Mexican people. What
Mexico especially needs Is peace, tran
guilty, and justice to all These be is
determined TO give to the country. The
Emperor further says that the adhe-
rents of Jusrez can no longer lay claim
to the lenient treatment which they
have thus far aeceiYed. They no longer
represent, in his opinion, a political
creed, but are only gangs of robbers
and murderers, whom the Imperialist
troops henceforth are to annihilate as
far as possible.
1t is impossible for US to ascertain
to what extent the view which Maxi
miliIn takes of his reception by the
Mexicans is correct Every body knows
that Austrian statements have frequent
ly been made respecting public opinion
in Venetia, Hungary and Gallseia,
however loudly the people may have
protested against them. No opportu-
nifty has yet been given by the new EN-
perOr TO the whole Mexican people to
express freely their opinion. The en-
gagement of several thousands Of Aus
trian and Belgian mercenaries, 70 serve
in Mexico as foreign legion, is GER
tainly anything but proof Of Maxi
milian's confidence in the devotion of
the Mexicans to the New Empire
Maximillian promises TO the Mexi-
cans peace, tranquility, and justice for
all" These are undoubtedly boons
greatly needed, and greatly desired by
the people Before the invasion, the
majority of the Mexicans hoped TO Sc
cure Them through the election of Ju-
arez for President and impartial OBJ
servers of Mexican affairs generally
testified that there was q better pros.
pect, under any previous President
Now that the larger portion Of the pop
ulation is de factO under the rule OF an
Emperor, and no immediate prospect
of success for the Republican Govern
ment, there are thousands of Mexicans
apr arently disposed 70 dispair of the
Republic, and to accept the Empire on
trial We have never doubted that
liberal and enlightened monarch would
have it in his power to rally round him
a powerful party, st least 80 long as no
aid from abroad promises 70 restore the
republican institutions un a firm basis
For some time it appeared that Max
imilian intended TO pursue q liberal
policy with regard to the leaders Of the
Republican party. The Imperialist pa
pers Of Mexico were instructed to nit
igate the Virulence of their language,
and to speak Of the national leaders in |
a forbearing manner But the letter |
of the Emperor 10 the Minister Of State /
foreshadoWs change Of policy. He |
assumes that the defenders of the re-
publican government no longer repre-
sent political creed, except As pre-
text for robbery and bloodshed The |
threat that the armed bands which are |
still oVerrunning the country shall De |
treated as gangs Of bandits may, there
fore, be applied TO the entire forces
still fighting under the banner Of law
ful government If this construction /
of the imperial letter should prove 10
be a correct one, the reconciliation of 4
parties would be at an end Maximi!-
ian would again appear in the true
light Of an Austrian Prince, and the !
day Of vengeance, and Of the restora-
tion Of the republican form of govern
ment, would be probably fastened