New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-21
MIR. sEWARD'S DIPLOMACY.

MI Stewards friends assert that the recent batch Of
Mexican rumors set on foot by personal hostility
TO Mr. Seward. They do not seem TO comprehend the
fact that whatever credence might be given them
arose fom the want Of principle, consistency and
truth which have been exhibited in the diplomacy
of the Secretary and his subordnates. Those I'M
happy characteristics displayed again and again
throughout the yolumnous correspondence OF the
Department, have impaired if they have not utterly
DESTROYED tho confidence OF the people in this
branch Of the Government, and they arc con.
sequently left in painful doubt whether the
extrayagant rumors in relation to speculative jobs
about TO be accomplished by our National diplomacy
may no. have at least basis OF truth. 1t became
known that the return of the French troops from
Mexico had been ordered by the Emperor, not in con-
sequence of any manly and decisive protest by our
Miniser at Paris speaking the unanimous sentl'
ment Of the American people against the bastard
empire Of Macmillan, but for the reason that
Mr. Bigeow had voluntarily rendered to M. Drouyn
dc Lhuys our recognition of Maximilan as a
bride for the departure Of the French forces.
No tale could thereafter be invented half so incred
ibe or involving larger sacrifice OF the National
dignity, q more wsnton insult to the American peo-
pie, or more dsgraceul cringng to foreign power,
under circumstances Of premeditated wrong and
menace.
The shutting policy of the State Department in the
whole business is thus far without explanation. Why
did Mr.. Seward attempt to ward Off the just suspi'
cions and allay the patriotic fears Of Mr.. Corwiu,
our Minister to Mexico, by assuring him that
the scheme of an Empire and an Austrian
Prince was abandoned, at the very moment
Why did he make so marked difference in extending
facilities to the agents Of France Tor the
shipment of material Of warfaciltes which were de-
MED 10 Mexico in a manner that called forth the IN
dignant protest Of Signor Romerol Why, after the
Senate and the House had declared their nyinclble
repugnance to the Empire Of Macmillan, and their
determination 70 recognize only the Republic oil
Mexico, did Mr.. Stewards agent in Paris voluntarily
tender q recognition Of Maximilani Why, more
recently did the Secretary himself after pledgng the
Government to the stctest neutrality in the affairs Of
Mexico, violate that pledge by ordering or approving
the arrest and imprisonment Of Senior Ortegai These
are questions which have been repeatedly asked, and
to which the country receives no reply and this is one
of the occasions when we disposed to regret that
our Ministers have not seats in Congress, where they
might be held to just responsibility. ..
One principle that governs Mr. Stewards foreign
policy We have definitely ascertained, which is that
our foreign policy is made entirely subservent to the
partisan and personal views of the Secretary in refer
e1ce to politics at home. This was memorably shown
in his to Europe, at the beginning OF the
rebellion that Slavery had nothing to do with tho
war; and in his subsequent admission that this assur'
ance was absolutely untrue, and that he had pursued
this Machiavellian and most fatal line of policy-t
was met as the world knows by recognition OF the
Rebels as belgerents, and by their wholesale piraees
on the ocean-simply because no hoped to conquer
the Rebels by conciAton, and wss therefore unwilling
to expose their weakness in regard to Slavery.
Mr. Stewards present position toward the Rebel
States, toward Congress and the Republican party is
we'll defined, and possibly his utteranees during tho
Presidential tour (when he did his utmost to betray
the great party Of tho Republic TO whom DO owed pls