The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-06-13
The Mexican Question,

1t IS ODD now much more largely tine
Mexican question" figures over the
water than here. The European iourn-
ais are all sgog concerning the designs
of our government upon Macmillan.
All kinds of rumors float through their
news columns al kinds Of fspeculations
initiate their editorials. Each issue is
but new kaleidoscope arrangement
of protests and threats sent to the
French Emperor-peremptoTy notices
to Maximilian to quit-secret treaties
with Jaurez, full of direful portent.
Publicists are perplexed; capitalists
nervous; philosophers curious; quid-
nuncs in aferment On the other hand,
the American mind shows very little
concern about the matter 1t may oc-
casionally glance at it, and then quietly
turns away. 1t neither discusses nor
denounces. 1t drops a remark or two
and passes TO higher claims upon its
attention. 1t troubles itself as little
about Macmillan in Mexico as about
Sancho in Barstaria.
What means this European anxiety?
The explanation is simple. The United
States is understood to have adopted,
more than a generation ago, certain
policy called the Monroe doctrine, 10
the end that no foreign Power should
ever establish any new dominion OF
protectorate on this continent. The
French Emperor has taken advantage
of the rebellion which he believed
would break up the United States, to
/ invade and overturn the republic OF
Mexico, and to erect upon its ruins q
monarchy, the sceptre Of which he has
given to an Austrian Archduke. But
| it turns out that the United States has
not been broken up by the rebellion;
and that instead of being weakened
it is to-day q stronger military Power
than ever It is the most natural thing
in the world, therefore, that Europeans
should look for the prompt practical
assertion of the Monroe doctrine against
Maximilian and his French protector,
and that their only doubt should be
about the mode Of that assertion. On
certain but that this mode will be hos
tile, aud knowing that war between
the United States and France would
be a general misfortune, of course they
cannot but be anxious.
But why do our government and peo-
pie take It so coolly2 Have they given
up the Monroe doctrine Do they in
tend that, hereafter, European Powers
may at pleasure appropriate and rule
the weak republics of the New World
Nothing like this Our uncOnceTn
comes from our conviction that no such
thing ia possible as the establishment
of an imperial dynasty IN Mexico; and
that il is not worth while to 60 TO war
about il. st least until the prospects
greatly change. This new monarchy
cannot last, first of all, because it is ut
terly at variance with the Mexican
character. With all their ignorance
the Mexican people are as thoroughly
democratic in al their feelings as the
, people of our own republic; and exter
nal force. instead Of making then
I otherwise, will only intensity this spirit
, Maxinihan himself hiss come Z
D recognize that it is vain to hope fo
) A concession of the people. He N
} longer dreams of representative in
E stitutionz The new Statutes o
E the Empire which he hiss Just emitted
: comedies no power to the people what
4 ever. They directly set forth that 4th
Emperor is the representative Of th
? sovereignty Of the nation, and that b
e viii govern through cabinet made a
d Of his own appointees Not the leas
e inkling is given Of legislative assem-
bly. or any mode OF popular represef
{ tation. This edict is an absolute cor
e fession that the Mexican people eannc
n be made to accept q monarchical sy'
Z. TEN, except as il 4 imposed upon then
That fact once established "a eoneiI