Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-12-08
The Mexican Question.

The Mexican Question.
There are few, il any, points on which
the Presidents statement of his views and
OF the position of the Government, is await
ed with more anxiety, than that III reference
to Mexico. Meantime, until the message
appears, the public is kept stirred up by
rumOrs of disturbances on the Texan hor-
der. and unauthorized accounts Of the say
ings and doings of high officials. The Rich
mond correspondent OF the New York Her
aid, represents General Grant as declaring
himself, while IN Richmond, as follows:
"Gen. Gran, since his arrival here. has eI-
pressed himself with additional unreservedness
on the Mexican question. He emphaticslly says
that the advance Of Ms1imiisn TO the pretended
throne Of Mexico was part Of the rebellion, and
his immediate expulsion should be a part of its
history. The lieutenant general freely admits
that he does not know France in this Mexiean
question; that France did not ask our consent to
establish a monarchy in Mexico, and we should
not consult that power in re-esiabllshing the re-
public of Mexico. He further holds that it is
simply question between US and the de facio
government Of Mexico. We recognize the re-
public Of Mexico Is the de jure government, and
we are bound to accord to thst government the
protection Of our arms. lie says France has no
right TO fight US this question, ii being simply
a question between Macmillan and our govern
ment; but if France will involve herself in war
with US OH this question, now is the time TO have
IT, before cur commerce has been again set sfoat
on every sea, and while we have army or
ganiIed and under pay equal to any emer-
gency."
The correspondent Of the London Times
writing from Washington. Nov. I'd, and
claiming information from headquarters,
says
The people, repeat. would rather 60 TO war
with France than see her remain IN Mexico You
will not find this statement contrsdicted by a
single journal in all America, when 1t Is repub-
hshed out here They would, OF course, much
prefer that France withdraw pesceahly; but if
she will not do that. they mean to make her 20.
That is their own language, used at every pub
lie meeting, and at every dinner table. and in
every paper, from Maine to California. General
Grant has over and over again made known his
discomfort that France IS not pressed TO leave
Mexico before the army under him is disbanded.
In point OF fact, the government is standing be
tween the public sentiment and France. But
in this country ct ANY rate. il cannot altogether
disregard public sentiment. II must fall IN with
it to a certain extent, snd in that spirit there
is no doubt that Mr. Seward's despatch was
written.
will now give you further details about the
despstch, sEd, reiher these details are believed
in England or not, they are true all the same.
II was addressed to Mr.. Bigelow, at Paris, some
time in September last 1t directed him to
bring to the notice OF Mr.. Drouyn de Lhuys the
tact tina; the United States government had been
informed that additional Nubian troops were
about to be sent to Mexico by France. II set
forth that when the frst force was despatched
from Egypt the government; did not interfere,
because it was engaged IN settling its own do
mestic differences that, as the Emperor was
aware il had abolished slavery in its own
country and could not but lock with dsfAvor
upon an attempt made by a foreign power to in
troduce negroes into any part Of this continent
against their will The United States govern
ment had been informed that the Pasha's negroes
were compelled to take service in Mexico against
their inclination, and were even forcibly thrust
on board the ships which were to carry them to
this country The French government was
NhTuc1 luhN NOukhtoe naL ASPoattAg eAN
decidedly affirmed that the Monroe doctrine
must be maintained, and the Executive and the
people looked with serious concern upon the
past and present movement Of France in Mexico.
This NAV not he the precise language OF the des-
patcn, Uut II Is nntnTuily Its tenor aud import
The despatch Was sent not only to France, but
TO the United Sistes Ministers at Alexandra and
Constantinople.
must further state-cnd state IL on the rsTy
best duthorify-that the views Of the United
States government on the subject are these 1t
holds that neither s monarchical nor imperi-
al form of government will ever be tolerated by
the people on this continent because IT would be
opposed to the whole spirit Of their political sys-
TEN. II considers that the French took an uu-
| fair advantage Of the American government IN
placing Macmillan on the Mexican throne at 3
time when its hands were tied. 1t believes tina,
neither the French nor the English nation
would approve a deliberate attempt to reintro-
duce slavery in America, and il regards the
compulsory service of negro troops in Mexico As
form Of slavery. II does not wish to 60 to war
with France, but it doe, wish to protect and de-
fend those political principles which the Ameri-
can people are attached to.
These are the opinions OF the government. II
anybody knows them better than the govern
ment itself, then reject the foregoing statement.
The Washington Star, supposed to speak
for Secretary Seward, says that the govern
ments of the United States and France will
manage their differences at headquarters and
with some regard TO discreet statesmsnship.
and certainly will not permit any ofheious
subordinatee On the Rio Grande to involve
the two nations in hostilities. which is un-
questlonably safe statement President
johnson and Mr.. Seward can possibly bc
trusted with the question while longer, and
as long as the Army and Navy is being re-
duced at the present rate, We advice no one
to sell his Government, bonds, for tear of an
/ other war