Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-25
Mexico and the United Slater.

months soiourn in the City Of Mexico, and
who enjoyed while there peculiar facilities
for observation and information, that there
is no: in all Europe a more popular monarch
than is Macmillan with the intelligent por-
ton Of the Mexican people. When it is con-
sidered, SAYS the Post, that every act Of
Macmillan since his arrival in Mexico has
been done with the view Of increasing aud
strengthening imperial power, his success
and popularity must appear to all who have
hitherto believed the &exjcans to be sincere
republicans IS really wonderful. Under his
sway, every vcstge Of the republican sys-
TEN is gradually but surely Disappearing
His reccu. decree defining the forms OF the
Empire and establishing the mode Of success
sion is but one of the measures looking TO
the total eradication Of repu5licanism. Eyen
more important than that is q still more re-
cent decree abo,ishins all State lines and
State governments throughout, Mexico. The
details of this measure come to US by way
OF San Francisco. 1t is announced that Max
IL ilian has decrced the abolition OF the ;wo
dozen Mexican States, with their selt-chosen
Governors and Legislatures. In their stead
he has divided she country into fifty depart
meuts. each department. wiki a capital, and
10 DC governed in its iJca; aHAirs 10y pre-
feet OF his own creation.
Thus, by a stroke OF the pen, the frms OF
rcguJucauisIn, aad even its geogrgi hical
landmarks, are swept away, and in their
place Stands the complies Capitalization Of
imperial France.
HoReyer rsPugnant TO the feelings and
sentiments o. Americans this latest political
move on tac Mexican cLsss-board may be,
none Will doubt the Advantages to the impc-
rial power which it will gyy. The states
and state organizations were republican in
their origin AID tendencies. la many OF them
are men who have attained influence by their
wealth, military prestige or political capacity.
These mca have been accustomed to govern
with but i...c check; Indeed, some of them
We're virtually independent pOlentsteS.-
These persons were not 20 be trusted as pre-
tended friends OF the empjre which has dc.
pr.ved them OF their positions, and to etcc-
tuslly dispose Of them, the whole political
orgaaizlt.on which give them influence has
been overthsowu, and ia its place is set up
the centralz.1. system which traces It's ori-
gin to the Caesars aud finds its chief modern
exponent in their b0srapter. As matter
OF policy, the new araagsmeu. is certainly
al ac. OF prudent sag1city j. tie new Elm
Beror ,imr will deye.ope what results the
new map of Mexico will bring forth.
The grea. fear Of ;ac fathers Of our own
republic was that tie State lines would at
>oiae time become CELEBRATED, aud the gene
raj government. assume jurisdiction Of all
the local 2lairs OF the people under CEN
tral poger. ]. Was The Jealousy that sprung
from this feeling that rendered the first gov
eriment Of the United Colonies so utterly
Sbortive. Estate Rights" was but another
name tor State Independence and national
weakness. Aiier trying q national govern
ment depending on Estate sovereignty" for
u few years, the patriots Of the Revolution
completed their lsbOrs by the erection Of
our present form Of government. II is a
perfect protection against despO,ism. The
dates and powers Of the States and Of the
general government arc 20 clearly defined,
and are now 50 thoroughly established by
the results OF this war, that no one bat
madman can ever again seek to pervert
them. The preservation OF the State au-
tb0rity within its constitutional bOUads is
the grand bulwark agains. federal usurpa-
ton; while The reduction Of federal authori-
u 20 the mere Pc. mission aud consent OF
the States, is that extreme which finds its
opposite ia the act Of Maximiliau. Our con.
stitutioa is the happy medium which pre-
serves the balances aud checks whereby tire
national ald tire local or domestic authority
are kept from collision and made to SosS
tremendously TO the grea. common end, tEe
general welfare of the people.
There havo been men who would like to
have the whole Union placed under the ex-
elusive government and control Of the gen.
eral Government, and have each State and
community ruled by a Federal officer; but
the men who thias thIt such form Of gov
eminent is necessary to give strength and
stability TO the republic, are those who
would approve Of such a measure only in
case they and their friends were placed in
power. The other extreme, those who think
the general Government ought to be thing
of straw, and that Al power should be lodged
in the States respectively, have Just passed
through a very terrible trial in which that
policy and that doctrine have been crushed
forever.
The American people can best appreciate
and best understand the great blessing they
have in their own free government, by look
ing at the condition Of affairs elsewhere
Thirty years ago there were a dozen repub-
lies on this continent, and to-day our own
IS the sole survivor. To this exemption nom
decay and ruin we are indebted to the wise
separation of national from purely local
government, and to the intelligence OF the
people which leads them TO observe the law,
and thereby preserve their freedom. The
late civil war, instead Of weakening the
Union, has given it a strength that places
its stability beyond all cavil. 1t has des-
troyed the material and theoretical causes
for civil discussion. 1t has established State
and national authority upon their legitimate
foundation, and has made the Union the
,,.sst rodsI Of n free repubiic, where even