The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-03
The "Grnnd Idea" OF Napoleon In
Mexico-The Danger to France.


The "Grand Idea" or NAPOLEON I'm
Mexieo-The Danger to France.
The full report of the recent suggestive
speech Of Marshal Forey in the French Senate
on the Mexican question, which we published
yesterday, is an argument in support Of Maxi
milan and his empire which. whether officially
or unoficially presented, leads to an unfavora-
BILE construction of the gracious and rose-col-
ored Legislative address Of the Emperor Napo-
leon. The obligations devolving upon France
an regard to Macmillan, French citizens and
the native adherents to his cause in Mexico, as
submitted by Marshal Forey, cannot be recon
ciled with the theory Of an early departure Of
the French troops. The Marshal says:-"In
my opinion II would be highly dangerous to
recall our troops immediately" that ''if our
army is recalled from Mexico all the French
men in the country will be obliged to return
with it," that eve must continue to lend them
our support and aid them to sustain the power
they have chossn;'' that ait may become neces-
sary to send fresh troops to Mexico;" that cat
least those which are there must be kept there
and it may also become necessary to make fur
Their pecuniary sacrifices" and that 81 have too
much esteem for the great American republic
TO believe that it would prefer republic Of
plunderers and bandits in Mexico instead of
monarchy of honest men, based upon the prin-
ciples of civilization"
These are the views of an honest soldier. the
original leader of the French expeditionary
corps to Mexico, and as such charged with the
designs and the confidence of Shis Emperor
Marshal Forey understands the situation of
Macmillan, his difficulties and his necessities,
and the duties which, by his position, are
imposed upon France. But, transcending in
importance all these incidental considerations
in the Judgment of the outspoken Marshal,
is "the grand idea" of Napoleon which under
lies this Mexican adventure. This "grand
idea" is the alpha and omega of the Marshal's
speech. Thus the Emperor, in undertaking
this expedition, "was impelled by grand
idea," and, II ask myself has this grand idea
been well understood by the country" and
again, "Francc cannot wish to incur the
reproach of having misunderstood the grand
idea of the Emperor" and yet again, "should
we allow money consideration to jeopardize
the success Of this undertaking, based, as it is,
upon grand idea Of the Emperor"
Now we know that the "nephcw of his
uncle" is man of grand ideas-yea, even
"Napoleonc ideas" We have seen some
Of them splendidly carried out, too, at
home and abroad, in Paris, at Cherbourg,
in the Crimea and in Italy, to the credit
of his empire and the glory of France;
and we know that the grandest Of all ideas to
Frenchmen are "gloire" and "victoire" But
what is this grand Mexican idea of Napoleon?
There is neither glory nor victory in it.
According to his original letter of instructions
to Marshal Forey 1t Is . strong foothold Of
"the Latin race" on this continent against
the ambitious designs Of the Anglo-Saxsn race;
or, in other words, check in Mexico against
the advancing power of the United States.
oesiexico from the anarchy of republican in
stitutions, and the placing Of her suffering peo-
pie under the established law and order of
monarchy. But whatever may be the "grand
idea" Of Napoleon, it is manifest from all that
has been said on the subject on both sides, that
he has no idea of Withdrawing the empire from
Mexico, whatever he may say of his troops,
and that the government and people of the
United States have no idea of recognizing that
empire as the Mexican government.
The late correspondence between Mr.. Sc
ward and Druyn de Lhuys establishes these
facts-that the idea on the one side Is that this
imperial experiment in Mexico must be aban-
doned, and that the idea on the other side il
that Macmillan is destined to establish his
dynasty on Mexican soil; and that fair promi-
ses, mastery delays and the chapter of acct
dents most likely to follow, will in good time
leave US not even the shadow Of a republican
government as pretext for withholding re-
cognition of the empire. With this recognition
the "grand idea'' of Napoleon would soon be
developed in the creation of naval depot on
the Atlantic and on the Pacific side of Mexico
and IN some isthmus line of communication. by
railroad or canal, securing to France a strong
military and commercial balance of power in
both oceans; and check in the occupation Of
the continent in that quarter against any fur
Their advances Of the republican institutions or
ideas of the Anglo-American race.
Fortunately, however, against the fulflment
Of this "grand idea" stands that adverse Ameri-
can grand idea Of the Monroe doctrine-the
fixed and irrevoceble attitude Of the United
States touching this European usurpation Of
Mexico. Tho magnanimity of France In COM
ing to the rescue OF our next door neighbors
from the anarchy of institutions adopted from
our example, may be "grand idea;" but to
us, under all the circumstances of this inter-
vention, it is exceedingly offensive. Regarding
it as movement against the United States, like
that proposed some years ago by Russia for
the division Of the estates of "the sick man. of
Turkey, the case admits Of no halfway compro-