The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-14
THE MEXICAN QUESTION.

THE MEXICAN QUESTION.
If the Worlds Washington special be well
founded. the Mexican question has reached
q new phase. Recognition of MAxIMILIAN
forced rule has assumed the status ofa re-
quest on the part of Louis NAPOLEON, and a
refusal by our Government. However the
present Emperor Of France may be pleased
with schemes of imperial aggrandizement,
may wish to leave a sceptre firm fixed in the
hands Of his son and heir, may feel upon him
the burden of a great mission, AS Fate own
created successor of the CEsARs, and however
he may cherish his central idea to consolidate
the Latin power on the Eastern and Western
Continent, and make it the sovereign of the
nations and the ruler Of the world-we are
very certain he would not have put down upon
his programme any part of North America
but for our late war. In the privacy of the
Tuilleries, he may, in day fancies and night
dreams, have built for himself an ideal royal
sway, which embraces two worlds, but in fac
and policy he would not have attempted to
have given to those imperial fancles the form
and entity of purposes consummated, but for
the attempted disruption of the Union, and
the formation of the Southern Confederacy.
Here, his too impetuous desires, led him into
the fatal policy of assuming supervision of
Mexican affairs, Of pronouncing its republi-
can government a failure. and appointing
MAxIMILIAS to administer on the estate, and
foreclose it to despotsm. He did this be-
cause he thought it impossible for the nation
nj arms to suppress rebellion. he thought
the destruction of our Government a fact ac-
complished. He has been disappointed in
two regards: There is more vitality in re-
publicanism in Mexico, than he had anticipa-
ted, and our late rebellion has been suppress
sed leaving our Government strong in military
power. and in condition toexpel MACMILLAN
in six weeks if so determining.
Our Government has not now for the first
time line of policy to adopt in the premises
The Monroe Doctrine as our national po-
licy, has been long promulgated and known
TO Europe as well to our own people. The
resolutions introduced recently into the Sc
nate and House of Representatives at Wash
ington, are but an embodiment of this doc
trine, and at the same time an index of exis-
ting popular sentiment. The WADE resolu-
ton in the Senate, and the ScHENCK resolu-
ton in the House declare "that the attempt to
subject one of the Republican Governments
of this continent, by foreign power and to
establish on its ruins monarchy sustained
solely by European bayonets, is opposed to
the declared policy of the United States Gov
ernment, is offensive to our people, and con-
trarv to the spirit of our institutions.
The utterances of President JOHNSON on
this subject were conceived in the same spirit
Now, as appears by our dispatches, Louis
NAPOLEON has made formal demand Of our
Government, that the rule of MAxlAILIAN
in Mexico be acknowledged at Washington, q
demand which has very properly been met
with a refusal by Mr.. SEWARD. The matter
having been thus fairly brought to an issue,
we may assume that popular convictions may
be thus expressed. First. a determination to
maintain the MONROE doctrine, secondly o
desire TO avoid war if practicable and without
dishonor We are certainly in no condition
now 10 court such contest as war witt
France would provoke. 1t needs no argu
ments drawn from the demands of the recen
mighty strife, and the state we were in when
that strife closed. and are still in, hnanciall,
aud commercially, to establish this Bu
weary as are our people of the carnival o
death and wars destruction, they will agai'
accept it before they will accept permanently
established foreign Imperialism IN Mexico.
Here is room for diplomacy. Can W
maintain peace with NAPOLEON and adher
to the MONROE doctrine? We believe so
NApoLEoS is Emperor not of Imperial France
but of Republican France. A Republicanisu
that has not forgotten that it lead its King t
the ruillotine, and made its governmen
elective A Republicanism that, especiall
since the success of our Government in pre-
serving its unity, has fallen in love with tn
United States, and calls to its side its readies
pens, ceverest thinkers, and most phIosophi
minds, to became laudstors of the grea
American Republic. A Republicanism tha
yields to the rule of NAroLEoS becsnse h
espouses the leadership of progress an
political Liberalism in Europe, and seeks I
increase the greatness of France. A Reput
licanism that will drive NAPOLEON from hi
throne whenever his aims and its interest
come directly in collision. He may seek hi
own aggrandizement as long as that compor'
with French prosperity. When, as in thi
case, he seeks to embark France in politics
adventure, where he alone can be the game,
and which would bring them in contest wit
that Republican Government which the
most admire, then he will signally fail. n
could not possibly succeed in contest vii
us, long and arduous as it might be, aud whe
failure comes he is ruined. We think th
French Emperor is fully awnrs Of his statusi
this matter. We think be wants to get out
his Mexican scrape just as soon and e6ect'
ally al possible. We think with firmness %
GOODNESS on the part Of the Administratiol
such as suggested by President JOHNSON
his message, he will get out Of Mexico ,
speedily and hoporably as he can, and ths
have peacefully removed the last manifest
tion Of Opposition on the part Of Europe
our continental policy. Political hotspu.
NAV rush us into var. We 9ppephond u