Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1866-12-12
THE nExICAN QUESTION


The following letter from a gentleman
who resided in Mexico for over two years,
and recently returned to this country, will
be read with interest. The views are the
deliberate conviction Of man whose pre-
iudices, when he first went to Mexico, were
favorable 10 the establishment Of Imperial
rule, and who Is still convinced that only
the strong hand Of foreign power can save
the fair land Of the Aztecs from that state Of
chronic anarchy which has 30 long obtained
there, and which, unless wise changes are
effected, is likely to prove perpetual.
NEW ORLEANS, 9th Dec. 1S66.-IO the
Editor N. o. Times: I have seen in your
paper an article on Mexico signed Texas"
and in other papers and magazines various
other articles relating to different subjects
concerning it in a military, political and
commercial sense. Many things which
Texas says are undoubtedly true. Being a
resident Of that beautiful country, the
faircst perhaps Of all Gods earth, may be
allowed to have some means of knowing
something concerning its true status
One writer in the Southeastern Magdziae
very sensibly repeats the injunction Of
Washington ito avoid all entangling al
liances," Chat is, as i understand it, with
foreign nations,) but 30 far as relates 10
Mexico and the application at that time Of
Washington's advice, and the circumstances
then eKisting-all things being fairly con-
sidered in the light Of truth and philoso.
ply, in a social, moral aud political atti-
tude-I ask, If those circumstances are the
same now that they were then concerning
Mexico7 certainly not; and hence we can
apply the old adage that circumstances
alter cases." look at the facts at that time
and now az this time; it is plain 10 every
rational mind that the circumstances are
not the same, and that a different rule Of
policy is called for.
Unfortunately for Macmillan, who is
far, very far, from being as bad man as
he is ruler, he has been undoubtedly
made the cat's-paw of Louis Napoleon; the
latter, who although smart man from as
ISOLATION rs a London detective policeman,
and drawing large capital and doing bust
ness in general upon the credit Of his uncle,
has at last met his equal, IL not superior,
from source he least expected. Napoleon
is now the sick man Of Europe, and Bis
mark his physieian-where / leave him
90 sink or swim, survive or perish.
Free and unrestrained Intercourse with
all classes and conditions Of the people of
Mexico during the last two years in trade
and agriculture in which l have been en-
gagged, having travelled through most Of
that country and met with some Of the most
intelligent foreigners Of almost every other
nation on the globe, am bound, in all
truth and sincerity, and regardless Of any
political sentiment Of my own, now TO de-
clare that, recognizing truths and facts
which every day stared me in the face in
Mexico, and upon the testimony Of the
Mexicans themselves, high, low, rich and
poor, robbers and demagogues alone except
ed, that the exercise of q protectorate by
the United States government for FIVE or
seven years, with an army of 10000 10 50,-
O0O-until they can select for themselves
under that auspices, the elements and a
machinery Of good government-is the only
solution Of ne trbole Meriodn question. When
established, compel the Mexicans to re-
spect and obey it. Nay more; am sup
ported in this belief by some of the most
intelligent officers Of rank and distinction
in the French army, in Mexico, who can
didly admitted Che fact that the French gov
eminent and people were incapable of ac-
complishing what they had undertaken.
Send an army Of good and true soldiers
10 Mexico, and my word Cor it, all will be
well with the United States and Mexico,
and the rest Of the world TRAVELLER.