, 1864-05-01
FRAN0E AND mExtCo.s

Fkk-ANOkS AMI AhA3VOsS
What the Intentions Of Napoleon with re-
spect to Mexico may be, 1t does not yet fully
appear. It would not agree with what va
know Of tho determination aud persistence of
his character, to suppose that when Maximu-
ian Is Seated upon his throne, and the French
forces arc mostly Withdrawn, Mexico Is to be
left to work out the problem Of her destiny
solely under the direction Of the new En-
peror and her own people, without. any fur
ther Interference from France Napoleon
has never ret been known to leave or forsaka
spy nation or people In whose welfare or at.
fsirs he has deemed 1t polite or benevolent
to interfere. The French still occupy Rome,
mud however loud and continual may he the
French Empe7or's declarations that he wish
e. Italians to govern Italy, 1t is plain to all
the world, that any changes or movements
which are made aud carried ont In that King
dom, are more under hfB control than under
that of the italian people. It will doubtless
prove to be the .eame In Mexico. The new
Emperor MaxmIlian will recalvo the systen
Of policy which he Is to maintain and enforce
from France; and Napoleon will not give up
his abiding and controlling supervision and
direction Of Mexican AFFAIRS SO long as he
can exercise it. Indeed his published state
mente Of his purposes, which he has neyer
modified or retracted, require that ho should
perscvere In maintaining this paramount In
fluence over the politics Of Mexico. lie ex-
pflcitly avowed the objects Of the Mexican
expedition to be to render Mexico forever
favorable to France through gratitude and
Interest; to establish the influence Of France
In the centre Of America to give new ont
let's to French commerce, and new markets
for ita industry; and to restore to the Latin
race On this side Of the ocean its prestige and
power. These objects are not consistent
with my Withdrawal Of French force and in
flucnce from Mexico; they rnthcr require n
permanent possession and paramount con
troll Of the country and Its uffatrs. And It
may not be doubted that Napoleon intends,
whaterer may be the appearance Of things,
that France shall retain and secure O lasting
! hold on Mexico, for without 1t the proclaimed
objects Of the expedition cannot be accom-,
plished.
This is directly in the face Of the Monroe
doctrine, aud viii be regarded as more par
ticular]y aimed nt us, and more clearly nj
| afffout. when we state another objec,
which the French Emperor clearly ayows III
intended to effect by sefzing Mexico. Thai
/ Was "to oppose to the too great expansion
of the Anglo-saxon race in the New World
"an insurmountable barrier, By restoring
! athe Latin race in Mexico.n Not only is th,
| Monroe doctrine directly repudiated and vio
lated by this attempt to interfere with the m
! tionn affairs Of an Independent people OF
this continent, hut the Interference is boldll
declared to be made for the purpose Of op
posing and limiting our power and Influence
This being so, and ne see no reason for IN,
other conclusion, there are but two ways ii
which collision with France can be avoided
| If she should yield 10 our rcmonstranccs AM
! protests, listen to the reiteration Of the Mon
roc doctrine, be persuaded of the Justice Q
our views, md abandon the scheme whfc
has hitherto been so persistently and is no,
60 strenuously carried forward, tue condic
may be avoided. Butto suppose that Nape
leon " Ill ever do this is to show an after igne
rance Of the character OF the 1nan Is TO believ
TINT he will at this late day turn over me-
leaf, and at the game time abandon we
weighed and long matured plan, with dearl
cherished hopes, and strong ambition to e
tabliE6 French arts, arms and influence Q
this continent The only other chance
, | escape from collision with France is that v
, abandon the Monroe doctrine and permit tt
entrance of European diplomacy, politics AZ
a power into the affairs of this Continent; d,
4 that we submit to It when it comes in Il
n most open and defiant manner, shakes
"a sccptrc. In our very faces, draws a line fro
- sea to sea, builds upon 1t an in.surmountat
n barrier, md haughti]y declares that thus
~ VIC may come hut no farthcr. It cannot
10 supposed tint the French Emperor does I
a. know fully the nature and extent Of the Ct,
aaront he has put upon the nation by t
p. Mexican business. But he knew that We
a our hands full with the rebellion; and
= knows that to-dny the rebels are his +
~ friends and allies, and look to him for rec
,3r milton md triumph. We Gun only endure
"A patience and bidc our time.