Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-05-18
TIE MEXICAN EMPIRE

From tie London Times, april &c.
Our correspond from America contains pieces
of very important Intelligence. In the Federal House
of REPRESENTATIVES a proposal had actually been made
for the recognition of the Southern Confsderacy and
though it was Of course not approved t received so
much support that o,ion directed against one Of its
advocates could not be carried In the Senate the
Committee Foreign Affairs had deliberately refused
to maintain the late resolution of the House OF Repre-
sentatves condemnatory of monarchical government
ia kexcs These proceedings tend 10 show that the
Americans at length receding from those views OF
universal empire for the sake of which, more than for
auy other cause, the war is maintained The House CT
Representatives ia resolving that the United States
would never recognize tolerate monarchy in hexi-
CO. did but assert the famous Monroe Doctrine in its
purest simplicity. The occupation OF Mexico by Euro
peaA forces and the substitution Of an imperial or
republican form Of government in that country do
really constitute exactly such case as that against
which the Monroe Doctrine was originally directed
while as il TO dvest the question Of Ill obscuTity it
had been openly declared in the manifesto by which the
expedition was justified that it had become necessary
20 the aggressive career of the United States and
confirm the Latin race in position on the Americua
continent protest. therefore, against this sue
cessul enterprise naturally to be expected but tn
protest the Federal Senate has refused to support In
other words branch Of the Federal Congress on
which the coguizlnce Of foreign affairs especially &c.
wolves declines TO say that the Monroe doctrine shall
be maintained, and are expressly told that in this
forbearance t is supported by the President and his
Cabinet few years ago it would have been almost
easy to obtain vote for the dissolution of tho Union
for tbs surrender though it be but temporary, of
priuciI Ia 80 dear to American pride.
The DISCUSSION in the House OF Representatives may
be taken probably indicating rather the growth OF
political courage than change OF political sentiment
Perhaps there were always as many members in the
House wi believed the war hopeless and peace, the
terms of separation inevitable; but there was not al
ways much readiness to put such sentiments on re-
cord.
These events are certsirly remarkable, and other
symptoms are perhaps discernble of change ia the
spirit of the Federal States. The Democratic party,
however, rivals even the Repub cars in its open and
popular declarations in favor Of me Union. The Ed
erals told, cpg to this vision of the old Union
DOLLY because they ardenty love it, but because they
cannot tell what to do Within it, They think secession
only division, but subdivision up to the last
form of diamembermont. They imagine or profess to
imagine, that 0iH open door to foreign iRUaSOn and
conquest and per- uade themselves that 10 lighting for
Union they are fighting not merely for American
pre- but for national life. Il does not to TO
them thar the conflict OF interests TO be nfsllbly gen
Grated by protraced and oppressive taxation would
be far likely to produce diTis than the specta
Gle Of a secession which had been contemplated as a
possibility from the first origin of the nation As far
as public demonstrations and party passwords can prove
ANYTHING they are bent it seems on struggling to the
end for the restoration of the Union though one party
advocates force and the other processes to rely upon
persuasion There appears yet to be party out of
doors bold enough 10 say plainly what has at last been
said in Congress.
Il is not only felt by all thinking persons in the North
but il is loudly proclaimed by the press that taxes must
be laid on in earnest and without delay. The imitation
of the currency consequent Mr. Chases paper ssucs
has produced such effect prices that the working
classes are in commotion and deprecatiny the in
reference Of the law with the proceedings by which
they hope to set themselves right They have organized
sstrkes" in oIdsr to procure advance OF wages pro-
portonate to the depreciation Of the currency and the
law direc ed against these combinations has been re-
affirmed. The premium gold however, had just
touched higher point than had ever been reached be-
fore, and there OF fresh of the
Oonfederaes. 1t is bnt reasonable to suppose that if
should continue in this the may really
decline in popularity and the advocates of peace be
emboIdened 10 appear in greater numbers. At the
same time such is the tenaciy with which the people
of the Northern States have cluDg to their idea Of
Union and empire and such is the elasticity Of the pub
lie mind at the fret turn Of fortune that another month
may perhaps leave the peace party with even more
slender chances of ascendency tan they seem to pos
present. victory does more to encourage the
federas than half dozen defeats to dshearten them,
and if General Grants operations against Richmond
should be attended with even partial success, this ex
hausting war may acquire new impetus, and run its
course as ruinously as before.
liz BErrER SrIRIrs.-General Robert ToOmbs was 10
Columbus, Georgia few days ago. In conversation
he stated that "he present the brightest day which