The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-13
The Mexican Question-The Doubtful
and Dangerous Policy Of Napoleon.

The Mexican Question-rhe Doubtful
and Dangerous Policy OF Napoleon.
Our latest intelligence from France on the
Mexican question is calculated to awaken very
serious doubts as to the designs and expects-
tons of Louis Napoleon. According to the
Paris Memorial Diplomatique, which is under
stood 10 speak by authority, the special mis-
sion of Baron Saillard to Macmillan docs NOT
embrace positive order for the withdrawal Of
the French troops, but simply the task Of
negotiating for their departure. The time Is to
depend upon Macmillan, and the removal Of
said troops will thus probably be delayed
until in his opinion, he can maintain his empire
without them. Meantime, as it appears, "the
evidently decreasing hostility to Maximiliaa
in the United States" is regarded among the
government circles at Paris with great favor,
and, as we are informed, "vill very much in
fuence The Emperor's action"
"The evidently decreasing hostility to
Macmillan in the United States" There h
great danger in this construction at tho
Tuileries of American public opinion. II the
agitation Of this Mexican difficulty Of Napo-
leon has of late assumed q milder phase
in this country, it is because the well known
opinions of President johnson, In connec-
ton with the published diplomatic CORES
pondence between the two governments,
have satisfied the American people that the 70
moval Of Macmillan and his imperial estab-
lishment is the fixed policy Of the present
administration; and 1t b because Of Q general
belief that Napoleon 80 understands the issue
submitted and insisted upon in Mr.. Stewards
dispatches, and T.. accordingly preparing fox
the absolute abandonment Of his Mexican
scheme. Whatever may be "the grand ideaS
Of Napoleon, the removal Of his imperial pro-
tectorate from Mexico u regarded by the Ameh-
can people - . thing Of manifest destiny
Should Msximilisn remain In power under
policy of "masterly inactivity" on the part II
our government till the Presidential contest
of 1868, that ELECTION will involve instructions q
the government from the people which viii
bring the term Of grace to a definite settle
meni In the interval, the last csndle-end 81
the Mexican government OF Juarez, which We
now recognize, may be snuffed out, and there
may be left us not even the shadow Of repub-
lie to stand by; but this will not avail to save
the empire. Mr.. Seward has officially init
mated so much, but In this view he has given
only faint expression TO the almost universal
public sentiment of the United States.
We would again suggest, for the information Of
Louis Napoleon, the dangers which must follow
to his reign and his dynasty from an adherence
to this delusive Mexican adventure. The
empire in Mexico is not peace. 1t cannot be
maintained without war; In the event Of war Il
will be quickly expelled; nor can II be much
longer tolerated without clear understanding
that 1t is to be removed. We are warned by
the hints thrown out from time to time during
the last ten years Of the impending removal Of
the French troops from Rome that similar
cloudy promises in regard to Mexico are but
diplomatic evasions. Such tri6ing, therefore,
with this country ought not to be attempted By
Napoleon, and cannot safely be persisted in.
The simple issue is the abandonment Of his
Mexican grand idea" or preparations for .
rupture with the United States in the final set
Element Of this controversy. This government
and this people desire the perpetuation, with
out q break, Of their old friendly relations with
France; but this flank movement against the
Union and our popular institutions of Euro
pean monarchy on our Southern border, il .
blunder and an offence which must be re-
paired As an ofshoot Of the late rebellion II
must be removed by France, or 1t will be BY
the United States.
Convinced that such IL the public opinion OF
this country, il liz TO be regretted that an Amer
lean public journal, regarded as political
organ Of the Secretary of State, should be
found leaning towards the recognition
Of Macmillan. We presume, however, that
the journal In question no more speaks by
authority upon this subject than one or two
others all at sea on the political Issues OF the
day. n one half the House Of Representatives,
at q moments notice. was ready the other
morning TO support proposition substantially
for a loan Of ifty millions Of dollars TO tho
Mexican republic, we may infer that a resoiu-
ton looking to distinct understanding With
Napoleon would pass the same body withous
opposition. This Is what we want-a clear
understanding. Such q resolution. we doubt
not, would be acceptable to President Johnson,
and we believe, too, that IN bringing about
an explicit agreement with the French govern
ment II would in great degree contribute to
the psciGcation Of Mexico and the restoration
OF our ancient relations Of amity with France.
We think the time, in behalf Of peace, is Two
rable for some formal action on the part Of
Congress, the war making power, calculated 10
disabuse the French government Of the falls.
cious idea that the tendency OF public opinion
In the Iynited States In towards the RECOGNITION
of Maximilian and his European monarchy -
the ruins Of he Mexican rspuhlia