The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-20

and America.
The grand and delicate game which Louis
Napoleon, since his assumption of the imperial
purple, has been playing 80 boldly and yet 50
cautiously and skilfully, for the maintenance
and perpetuation of his dynasty, is at length
menaced with the gravest dangers In both
hemispheres. In all his great enterprises Of
war and diplomacy heretofore he has adroitly
fallen back when threatened with serious com
plications, and without the loss of prestige as
the champion Of France and the arbiter of Eu-
rope. From his alliance with England in the
war for "the sick man" Of Turkey, he with
drew with the lions share Of the honors, and
in time to prevent the widening of the fire of
sthe Crimea to Austria and the other States of
the German family. Next we see him in the
midst of his victorious career in Italy pausing
to negotiate treaty of peace, and contessedly
because, in further prosecution Of the war, 1t
threatened to assume proportions larger than
his original estimates. The unity of Italy was
only partially accomplished, the difficulties In
reference to Rome and the Pope were an
touched; but the nephew remembered that his
uncle had been twice dispossessed of his en-
pire by Holy Alliance The uncle's mis-
fortunes from his daring recklessness had
taught the nephew the wisdom of carefully
feeling his way.
Thus, from the Russian and Italian wars,
something of glory and strength was gained
for France, to the credit Of the Emperor; while
in his smaller adventures, such as the paciica-
ton Of the ferocious Druses of Syria and his
armed reconnaissance Of Cochin China, the mi
litary vanity of the French people has not been
neglected. At the same time, in his splendid
improvements and decorations Of Paris, in his
magnificent seacoast defences and public
works of all descriptions, not forgetting his
liberal provision for the prayers and the amuse-
ments of the people, he has done all that even
Napoleon could do to make them forget the
decisions of French republics and the fallacies
of popular rights. But he was still uneasy,
until our great Southern rebellion suggested
the overthrow Of European popular ideas for
o century to come, in the violent dissolution
Of the great American republic. Here was his
opportunity to secure what bis uncle had
judged it best to cede to the United States-an
American balance Of power of imperial dimen-
sions. England and Spain were accordingly
inveigled into FOOLS errand to Mexico; but
they discovered it on reaching the Mexican
coast, and so abandoned it in disgust Louis
Napoleon, however, had gained his point in the
Judgment Of a military force on Mexican soil;
and sure Of the establishment Of Davis in his
Southern confederacy, he was sure of his i'm
perial protectorate, and death blow to popu-
But as our civil war progressed, he began to
be doubtful of the issue, and then began his
manipulatlons with England for armed inter-
venticn. The English aristocracy were equally
interested in the destruction of "the great re-
public;' but Palmerston distrusted Napoleon,
and so both were constrained to leave their
champion Davis in the lurch.
With the capture Of Richmond, the fight Of
Davis and the collapse Of his mock confede-
racy, tho Mexican blunder of Louis Napoleon
became patent TO all the world. Undertaken
upon . single false presumption, he now real
lies the gravity of that mistake. He counted
upon the destruction Of the American Union,
the great bulwark Of popular rights and popu-
lar ideas, and he finds it now tenfold stronger
than ever, invincible upon the land and terrible
upon the seas, against any hostile combination.
From the British islands to Hungary our sue
cess Is accepted ss mighty revolution in
behalf Of popular institutions Thus, In the
person Of his agent, Napoleon stands in Mexico
to-day baf1ed and defeated. He cannot remain
there, nor can he retreat without humiliation.
What is he to dot England cannot afford to
come to his rescue, and who is to help himf
The French opposition chuckle over his embar-
rassments; Plon Plon warns him Of his danger,
while Garibaldi, the oracle of the popular
leagues Of the Continent, fairly shouts for joy.
President johnson understands all this, and
knows that he holds the French usurpation in
Mexico as In a vice, as General Grant held Lee
In Richmond, biding his time. No hurry is
necessary on our part in this business. We lose
nothing from . policy of mastery inactivity.
We can wan while Napoleon is making up his
mind, and while the popular combustibles Of
Europe are being gathered together for gene
raj connagration such as Europe has never yet
known from Cloths, or Turks, or Frenchmen.
But, whether the signal issues to Ms from the
republican elements Of France or goes from
Sheridan in Mexico to them, the end will be the
same-the overthrow Of the strongholds Of feud-
alism and royalties from London and Paris to
Vienna and Rome. President johnson Will
surely make good the Monroe doctrine in
Mexico. He has the means and the men at his
call to enforce II by land and sea. When he
Is ready he will invite Louis Napoleon to
leave, though reasonable time viii be given
for bis voluntary departure. Surely he does
not contemplate the hazards Of rup.ure with
the United States, which in six months would
sweep his commerce from the seas and revive
the reign Of the barricadea Indeed, the fate Of
oil the crowned heads Of Europe may now be de-
pendinr upon Louis Napoleon'e decision IN re-