The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-19

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| business.
| The latest mails from Europe show that the
Mexican difficulty Of the French government
engages large share Of public attention. The
British journalists seem to have sort Of
malicious satisfaction in stating that Eng
lands cherished ally" across the Channel
has got himself into dilemma with their
cousins" across the Atlantic. They show
their friendship for France by picturing
in strong colors the mistake the govern
ment made in going to Mexico and the humi-
liating position in which 1t is now placed.
To use strong colloquial expression, they
have been rubbing 1t in" upon the sensi-
tive Frenchman, and I'll out of friendship and
kindness, Of course, The Russian press refers
with pride to the unswerving friendship Of
Russia for the United States during our civil
war and throughout our history, and to Its con-
viction that our cause would triumph. 1t gives
ct the Same time Q hard hit ct France.
"Many," it says, ION this side Of the ocean
were convinced Of the destruction Of that
young Power (the United States). Bold cal
culatiOns were made, and changes were pro-
jected and even executed In the vicinity Of
the United States. But, on the other hand,
what confusion the triumph Of the United
Statos caused in those same circles, destroying
q. a blow all the political calculations COM
bined in view of Americas disasters" 1t
would be unreasonable to expect the press and
people of France to be amiable while smarting
from such thrusts as these. The Mexican
trouble in itself is enough TO irritatc them
but now all Europe Is pointing the finger at
them and their folly, and they are greatly
annoyed. The French government, through
out the correspondence which we have
published between 1t and the United
States relative to Mexico, evinces great sore
ness. Nothing is 80 irritating to man as to
expose his weaknesses, particularly if he be
vain man. It is the same with nations as with
individuals. Since the official correspondence
has been made public and the subject has
been discussed, the press and people Of France,
as well as the government, feel keenly the
humliating situation their country is placed
in So much do they feel This that they are
disposed for the moment to entertain unkind
sentiments towards the United States, though
we are doing all we can compatible with the
dignity and fixed policy Of the republic to pre-
serve our ancient friendship with France Our
Paris correspondent says "there is evidently a
considerable feeling of soreness growing up
toward the government and people of the
United States" We can understand why this
may be 90. though We have done nothing that
the French people upon calm reflection can
blame ns for. They are higll-spirited, sensitive
and brave people. and cannot bear very well
national humiliation, evon when the fault lies
solely with their own government. But we
hope and believe the present irritation viii
soon pass away, and that we shall have no
serious difficulty with France.
The state Of feeling referred to has shAsS3
brought about by the government in its efforts
TO save itself from reproach. The whole tenor
Of the arguments, II they may be called argu-
ments, Of M. Druyn de Lhuys is to that end. 1t
ia considered necessary TO deceive the public
| as to the real motive and object of the Mexican
expedition, and no reiteratcs in every form
that the object was not political one; tina,
the empire Of Macmillan was not "planted"
there BY France; that 1t was the choice of the
Mexican people, and that it was only an Incl
dental result of the war. II il unnecessary TO
refute these statements; we have refuted them
over and over again, and the whole world
knows how fallacious they are. The pretence
that the French government set on foot such
an expensive expedition against a feeble,
impoverished and distracted republic to
collect q little debt or 70 vindicate French
honor, aud that there could have been
free choice Of the imperial government Of
| Macmillan under the military rule of con-
qucror, is too shallow TO deceive any one. All
the world knows that the object was political
that is, monarchical propagandism In republi-
can America The Emperor Napoleon had
been wonderfully successful as an arbiter In the
affairs Of Europe. This doubtless simulated
his ambition to try his hand on the American
| continent The terrible civil war In this great
republic, when the permanent disruption Of
the government appeared probable to Euro
pcan vision, afforded him . tempting oppor-
tunity, rs be thought, TO propagate imperial
ism, and to increase his power and fame as the
controller of the destiny Of the New World as
well az of the Old. Ambition blinded him as
il did the Grst Napoleon. We hope he may be
wise enough 10 avoid the mistake Of his uncle,
and not tempt fate too far.
No one knows better than Napoleon what
the fixed and cherished policy of the United
States has been and Is with regard to Euro
pean interference on this continent. He ID
aware Of our long dispute with England rels-
tive to the Mosquito Territory and Nicaragua,
and Of other cases, from tho time of Mr. Can
ming and President Monroe, upon the same
principle Of European non-intcrventon with
the American republics and the American
continent II would be altogether unreason-