The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-05
A Blunder in Mexico.


From the Tribune
We are known not to take any large amount
Of stock either in "the Monroe Doctrine" or in
that of Manifest Destiny" We favor all the
modern Improvements, but cannot realize that
there has been any decided advance in our
foreign policy since its general principles we're
enunciated in washington's Farewell Address.
In short, we believe that, as general rule our
Government should mind its own business and
let that of other Governments alone. Such we
understand to be the essence of the Washington
doctrine, which we consider decidedly prefer.
able to that properly known as the Monroe.
AS to the Empire of Macmillan, we consider it
a very great and costly blunder on the part of
Napoleon III; but we do not think our Govern
ment should intermeddle with it. If France can
afford to furnish the thirty to forty millions per
annum required TO keep 1t on its legs, we see
not why this country should interfere. Mexico
needs railroads. and all manner of industrial
machinery; she needs security for property; she
needs immunity from incessant revolutions,
forced loans, guerrilla outrages, highway rob-
berry, dense ignorance, degrading superstition,
and all that have conspired TO make her what
John Randolph called her, "a blanketed nation
of thieves and harlots.n And If Louis Napoleon
can constrain France (sorely against her willy to
pay the heavy cost of the process-which cannot
be less than one billion of francs-we cannot ad.
wise that he be interrupted in so doing.
III OUT GONeIuUleuI sUOulu ulPTmbuulc Wltu
this matter, and succeed in driving out Maxi
milan, the civilized world would inevitably say
to us, ''YOu have expelled Government which
gave promise of peace unity, authority, VICAR
security, Industry: how do you propose to re-
place it? Ifyou intend that Mexico shall retro.
grade to her endless cycles of pronuncidn1eltOS,
revolutions, and military relationships, we pro-
test. You have no right thus to iniure the
commerce, the industry of the civilized world.
Ifyou destroy the only Government that gave
hope of stability and progress you are bound to
replace it by BETTER" And, as we do not want
Mexico--are in no condition to spend thirty or
forty millions per annum upon lt--are utterly
opposed TO swallowing more than our digestive
organs can dispose of--we insist that our Gov
ernment shall let Mexico alone, and let France
spend all the money there that her ruler can
Constrain his reluctant legislature to vote.
When France vetoes this, her troops will be
withdrawn; and then the Empire must take its
chance. II 1t shall meantime have proved a
general blessing, it will endure; if not it will
speedily pass away, as it should
Hence, we deeply regret the decree of Maximl-
lian, published in our last authorizing ''the
AsIatic Company OF Colonization" 1t is based
on the Identical blunder that cursed America
with negro slavery-the same that misled Rob
Roy into winning the beef required by his bare.
legged followers by marrying the Scotch low
lands instead of buying it in the Glasgow mar
ket There is a Fictitious, immediate conve
nience in all these mistakes; but their ultimate
retribution is fearful.
Mexico has to-day about seven millions o
people, whereof at least six millions must work
for living or steal it. Her urgent need to-day
is such an organization of labor as shall proffe1
work and fair recompense TO every Mexican
shall make it easy and honorable to live and
thrive by honest, useful work, difficult and dis
graceful to live otherwise. But this proposed
importation of Asatic Coolies" is long,
fatal stride in the wrong, direction. II Is syste
matte renunciation of the hope that Mexican
can be induced to work. 1t is virtual con
demnation of the masses to die out, and be re
placed by Asiatlc paeans at least as Vicious anC
degraded, though not so indolent and inetfec
tive, as the lowest of the AZtecs. We trust Maxi
milIan--who seems to be enlightened and hu
mane-will yet be induced to recall this iata
decree.