The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-14


The French ON tho Pacific.
The ideas of Napoleon I'LL have always boon
on large SCALE Long before tho imperial
purple fell on his shoulders, or rather before 1t
was even in the loom. he turned his eyes
towards the New World, thinking, perhaps,
after he had become the master Of France,
there were other worlds than his own which,
Aexander-like, he might conquer. Mexico was
step in this direction, and it is quite probable
1t has been, after all, but cover to an original
design to get foothold on the Pacific, where
the virgin ores of an immense country were as
yet unified. DR.. Gwin, his accredited agent,
turned up at the right moment to aid him in
these designs. 1t will be observed that
the Doctor has managed to keep himself
clear of all rebel complexities. Though once
arrested IS prisoner, he was able on reaching
Washington to make such explanations as to
prevent his detention. On the contrary, effect
ing his release and reaching Paris, he became
an intimc Of the Emperor Thence he departed
for Mexico; the annexation, by way Of mort
gage OF five States, was arranged. and terri
tory containing three hundred thousand square
miles, with population Of six hundred thou
sand persons, tho largest portion csing Indians
and halEbreeds, is now Under the imperial
flag. Considering its propinquity to our posses
sions on the Pacific and our Territories more
inland, but still near, we have before us .
curious problem to solve and master.
1t would seem rs II the negative support
Napoleon has given the rebels has been with
particular object We might suppose that he
foresaw q positive alliance with, or even an
actual recognition Of, the confederacy would
not only be unpopular in Franco, but bring on
war which would forever close his career on
this continent. II would, therefore, be his
better policy to let the Southern people
hope against hope, knowing they must
finally DO overcome. while the bitterness
Of their temper would be increased by
their defeat. In this state Of things Napoleon
anticipating 1t from the first, has opened an out
let for their escape from the Union on their own
terms. All the disaifected, disappointed, unruly
and unchastened spirits of the South may now
find their way to Sonora and Sinaloa, Chihua-
hua, Durango and Lower California. They can
have duke to govern them, and may indulge
in all their anti-republican and monarchical
tastes. They will escape the rule of the "hated
Yankees" and bow down their heads before
rulers selected for them by successor Of
Charlemagne. This will all be very fine. At
tracted by the exemption from the doctrines o
equality, or rigid respect for the rights o
man, they will find many followers; and thelI
example will be followed by an even ready
crowd Of adventnrers like those who, under Q
similar dslocation Of Mexico, made themselves
at home in Texas. The we'll known letters g. T.
T.--"Gonc to Texas''--will be replaced Ia the
public eye by G. 7. S.-"Gono to Sonora" In all
probability quite population Of furious exilet
from political and all other kinds ofjustice will
soon be found in these Franco Mexican States
and will acknowledge their subsection to the
French government at least for o time--certainly
AZ long as they feel they need protection
But who does not forcsee the end Of al this
In fact q purely French colony IL on. Of III,
question. The French people are not colon
izing people They have not at this day single
foreign settlement which is actually fourlshlna
l w esiVn, VI ~ VI bui5iuio hNveheoBO ~ ZIG
empire Not In any Of the few settlements now
maintained by them In Asia, Africa, tho Pacific
and the West Indies-not even In Algeria, NE
most modern and on the largest scale-has the
possession ofa colony been Of signal advantage
Even In Canada the descendants Of the original
French, whose leaders had ct that day very large
views Of empire, have never kept up their rsla
lions with their original home, nor advanced
their social or political condition In this day oi
progress and material prosperity.
The States on the Pacific viii owe their suc
oess, II any, to other elements, and with 11ther
elements win come an organization 81 their
own. II, therefore, In the course Of events
Mexico shall never be able to repossess herself
Of these territories, there will arise nation
with neither the Spanish nor the French Ian
guags for its own, but the English, which will
be the mother tongue Of the large majority ~bt
may choose 10 make that part OF the continen
their home. With this Anglo-Saxon speech We
L IT,