Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-06-12


The Mexican Question.
The New York Times notes, as curious
fact, that the Mexican question, as 1t is
called, is just nov oddly enough sguripg
more extensively on the other side of the
Atlantic than here in the United States.
1.-THE European Journals lit says) are all
agog concerning the designs Of our gov
ernment upon Macmillan. Ali kinds of
rumors float through their news columns;
all kinds of speeulAtions initiate their ed.
itorials. Each issue is but a new new ka.
leidoscoptc arrangement of protests and
threats sent to the French Rmperor-pe-
remptory notices to Macmillan to Quit
incontinent fllibusters sWoopihg down
secret treaties with Juarez, full of direlul
porteut. Publicists are perplexed; cap.
ltallsts nervous; philosophers curious;
quidnuncs in Q ferment. On the other
hand, the American mind shows very lit.
tie concern about the matter. 1t may oc-
ossionally glance at it, and then quietly
turn away. 1t neither discusses nor de-
noUuces. 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 Saucho in BsTataria.
The Times attributes the apparent uncon-
Germ in regard to Mexico, France and Max
imilian to the fact that no such thing is
possible as the permanent establishment of
an imperial dynasty in Mexico and that it
is not worth while to go to war about it,
ct least until the prospects greatly change.
This new monarchy it holds cannot last:
First of all, because it is utterly at Vari-
anCe with the Mexican character. With
all their ignorance, the Mexican people are
as thoroughly democratic in all their feel
ings 90 the people Of our own republic /;
and external force, instead of making Ihem
otherwise, will only intensity this spirit
Macmillan no longer dreams of represent
tstiVe institutions. The new STATUTES OF
the Empire" which he has Just emitted,
concedes no power to the people whatever.
They directly set forth that ''the Emperor
is the representative of the sovereignty of
the nation" and that he will govern
through cabinet made up of his own ap-
pointees. Not the least inkling is given OF
a legislative assembly, or any mode of pop
ular representation. This edict is an alb.
solute confession that the Mexican people
cannot be made to accept monarchical
system, except as it is imposed upon them.
That fact, once established, is conclusive
as to the temporary character of the en-
pire.
Moreover, the cost of the Empire is FIVE
times as great as was that of the Republic.
If the Republic could not avoid bankrupt.
cy, 1t is very certain that the empire could
not long obtain the means of living. Mex
leo is too impoverished, through continued
war and anarchy, to allow any increase of
taxation. Foreign loans cannot be nego-
t'ated. The late attempt in Paris, not
withstandtng the extraordinary appliances
of the French Emperor, proved little bet.
ter than failure. 1t is absurd to suppose
that capitalists will continue to build up a
debt which would never be recognized by
the Republic.
The moral influence of the American
Government and people against the En-.
Pire, 1.-THE editor reasons), must greatly
weaken it, even without the slightest act
of positive hostility. Our national protest
against this assumption of power was long
since placed on official record. We have
steadily refused to recognize, officially,
any other Government of Mexico than that
of JaureE. So far as national action is
yet concerned, Macmillan is no more to
this mighty Republic than the beggar who
suns himself at the gate of his palace. 1t
don't know him. But he knows it, and he
trembles at even it's most distant shadow.
Considering his preIentions, it ia bad
enough for him that he remains uunoticed;
yet that is not SO bard as the fact that he
may some days be noticed only to be told
to BECOME"