The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-14


reorganization preparatory to the recognition
Of the excluded States look to their exclusion,
notfor months, but for years to come; while the
programme Of President johnson, with every
days developments, brings into broad relief his
superior sagacity and consistency ss patriot
and statesman.
Moxico-Europesn and Americas Policy
I'm ConAict.
The Emperor Napoleon and all the Euro
psan Powers, which, directly or indirectly,
abetted the fragrant assault upon our American
system Of government and policy while we
were engaged in . gigantic civil war, must
now see that the unfriendly effort to establish .
European balance Of power on this continent
is utterly futile. The occurrences Of the last
few days ought to convince them that we both
comprehend their policy and are determined
to defeat 1t. The Presidents Message, though
moderate in tone and not dwelling specifically
upon any case of European interference in the
affairs of this continent, is very clear as to the
principle we hold and must maintain. The
initiatory proceedings and temper Of Congress
are more emphatic. These are very significant
and cannot be misunderstood. The terse and
decided declarations of General Grant, General
Sherman and many other prominent officers Of
both the army and the navy are full of mean
ing. The decided language of the press and Of
public speakers everywhere demand the en-
forcement of the Monroe Doctrine. Upon no
subject was there ever such unanimity of SEN
timent among the people as upon this. The
public mind is directed more particularly to
Mexico just now because that is case more
more Immediately concerned at present But
there are other cases involved to which we
shall pay attention in due time. Above all VIC
must have the general principle established
that the American political system is unique,
and entirely detached from and independent
Of the European system, and that as the great
Power of this continent we cannot permit
European interference with its institutions or
destiny.
Visionary theorists, assuming to be states
foOlishly imagine we do not understand this
question in all its magnitude and bearings.
They think we are mere politicians Of the day,
not looking to the future, and That we talk
loud for effect when we do not act up to it,
The American people are eminently practical,
and they understand political questions intui-
lively much better than the soi-disoa visionary
statesmen Of Europe. Mr.. Lamartine lately
published quantity Of wordy trash upon the
Mexican question; at the same time he ex-
plains in a measure the motives that lie at the
bottom of French Intervention in Mexico.
What he says about giving The Latin race a
prominence and making il Power on this
continent to check the influence and growth of
the great American republic ia sheer nom
sense There are far more OF the Latin race in
this conglomerate and cosmopolitan republic
can empire of the United States than i'll
Mexico and all Central America, apart from
tho Indians, aud they certainly are moi Latins
Louis Napoleon cared little about the race; it
was the political power to which he looked.
He would not care if his agent, Macmillan,
were to import half the Teutons Of Germany,
without single Frenchman or Spaniard, so
that the empire would be established. He had
other and higher motives. First, his throne
resting upon revolutionary foundation and
the ruins of republic, he looks with jealousy
on the growth and diffusion of republican
ideas and Institutions. They are standing
reproach TO monarchy, particularly to a
monarchy like his, which elevated itself upon
victory over republican ideas. His mercurial
subjects might some day, in his lifetime or
that Of his heir, make announcement comparisons
between imperialism and rcpublicanism. Think
ing there was a good opportunity during our
civil war to throw discredit upon and weaken
The republican sentiment, he undertook the
enterprise Of erecting an empire on the Amcri-
can continent and on our border. This scheme
was favored by all the Old World mcnarchies
for the same reasons. But besides this be had
purely French and Napoleonic idea. Mexico
is rich mineral country--perhaps the richest
in the world. He wanted to have a control
over this wealth for the special benefit Of
French commerce. Above ALL looking to the
future, he knew that this portion OF the Ameri-
can continent, including the contiguous parts OF
Central America-upon which he had designs
aIso--is TO be, within no distant day. the high
way Of the greatest commerce in the world.
AS The First Napoleon went to Egypt with a
view Of arresting the progress Of England in
the East, and diverting portion of the valu-
able trade Of that rich region, so the Third Ma
poleon started upon the Quixotic project Of
checking the onward march Of the United
States, and controlling the Istbmus routes be-
tween the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf Of Mexico
and Caribbean Sea. Such undoubtedly were
the prime motives of Louis Napoleons Mexi-
can policy, and such were the anticipated re-
suits as contemplated in the future
But change has come over the spirit OF his
dream, probably, by this time. II not IL will
comc ms soou M he lparps the determined att;