The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-27

lambs and 8,178 hogs.
General Grants Proposed Visit 20 the
Rio Grnndc-The Mexican Question.
1t "a quite positively Stated in the political
circles at Washington that "General Grant will
sill Immediately after the holidays In the flag
shin of the Gulf squadron for the Rio Grande;"
and in proof Of this statement it appears that
"Commodore Winslow has sailed in the Cham
pion, via New Orleans, leaving his flagship be-
hind for the General" Accepting this infor-
nation as authentic, the question recurs, what
is the object Of this projected visit Of General
Grant to the Mexican frontier! Going as
General-in Chief of tho armies Of the United
States, he goes upon military reconnaissance,
to learn from actual observation the condition
of things on the Mexican border, and, as far
as possible, the state Of affairs on the other
side of the river, between the republic and the
empire, and whether General Logan,s policy
Of crossing the Rubicon or the policy of "mas-
teriy inactivity" will be best in behalf of the
Monroe doctrine
We know that General Grant Is in favor Of
the removal OF Maximilian's establishment
usnrpation. This was the substance Of a little
speech Of his at d political reception in this.
city in November last. We know that Presi-
dent johnson is Fixed in the faith Of the Mon
roe doctrine. If General Grant, therefore,
after making his projected trip to the Rio
Grande should return to the President with q
report suggesting an armed invasion Of Mexico
~ v1cl. - .oc0 -
Macmillan and his MASTER Napoleon, and II
the President shculd submit this report to
Congress, with o recommendation for immedi-
ate action thereon, we dare soy that the
movement would excite neither surprise
nor opposition from The great body
Of the American people. On the other
hand, we have no doubt that the public
opinion Of the whole country would quickly
manifest itself in fhvor Of the enterprise. We
dare soy, however, that General Grant will go
down to tho Rio Grande for the purpose OF
adopting such measures as may operate for the
time being rather TO maintain the peace Of the
border than to precipitate . rupture with
France; and this, we think. Is the purpose and
policy of the administration.
"Masterly inactivity" az defined by Calhoun,
certainly promises the safest and cheapest set
Element Of this Mexican difficulty. When the
first French republic had expelled from its
borders the allied Powers Of the continent and
had proved it's capacity for aggressive warfare
in the frat Italian campaigns of Napoleon, it
was in q position to maintain itself as the arbi-
ter Of Europe. But the expedition sent out
under Napoleon to Syria and Egypt was
fatal mistake 20 the republic. In undertaking
to flank the power Of England In the East by
force Of arms the republic stepped beyond its
sphere as the propaganda of the rights Of the
people. As an armed propagandist IL naturally
graviiated into the hands OF military dictator,
and to the inevitable consequences Of a rigid
military despotism in the name Of the empire.
Now, as history repeats itself, here is lesson
which history gives us IA warning. The COM
monwealth Of Cromwell affords us another ex-
ample OF the same character.
Unquestionably, II the administration were
to resolve upon the !oIcible expulsion of Maxi
milan from Mexico he would be expelled in
short order But the inevitable war with
France might, perhaps, involve us in naval
war with England and France. Even from
such struggle we doubt not that the United
States would ultimately emerge victorious;
but in the meantime the suspension Of the
worlds commerce. and the heavy strain upon
our national treasury, would inevitably involve
us 10 all the evils of o financial revul-
sion and universal bankruptcy. Such .
war might precipitate a European earth
quake, from which kingdoms and empires
would 90 down to rise no more; but such
consequences, instead Of relieving us, would
only widen the disasters and dangers of our
financial collapse, with oil its accessories Of
political Generalization and confusion. Could
we, under such pressure, escape the fate Of
the French republic and its assignats?
If is upon craftsmanship, and not upon arms,
that we may now most wisely depend for the
removal Of the French usurpation from Mexico.
In that experiment Of o Latin balance Of power
on this continent Louis Napoleon has become
the owner of costly elephant We can dis
possess him to-day or tomorrow; but we hate
only to hold the rod OF the Monroe doctrine
over him in order TO constrain him to abandon
his elephant Without our recognition he is IN
state OF insecurity which must render futile
al bis efforts 70 make Mexico pay expenses
He is weakened while we are strengthened
from every days continuance Of a policy Sf
'Fmasterly inactivity" II costs us nothing TO
| wait, while the uncertainties Of this state Of
peace hold him to the expenses of costly
J foreign war In uen and money. Tbs explains