New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-03-12


Paris (Feb 49, Correspondence London Tirnesl
IF Marshal Forey's speech in the Senate on
Mexican affairs was prepared with the cognzance,
if not the approval of the Emperor, as some pre-
tend to believe, the return of the French army
may not take place as soon as expected. Marshal
Forey knows the subject well--no man better, and
his statements bear the impress Of truth.
NJ. Rouher tried to lessen the effect which his
words might produce out of doors by affirming
that the opinion of the government was not at.
fected by anything the late Commander in Chief
of the French army in!Mexco said that the senti-
ments expressed in the speech from the throne
were still the same; and that the Marshal gave
uterance to his private views, and to those of
no one else. NJ. Rouher Is Minister OF State, and,
in theory, Prime Minister--but it is no more than
theory, and NJ. Rouher knows it very well. The
opinion OF the government if by government
is meant the members Of the Cabinet only, is, no
doubt the same it always was, and 1t was from
the outset as much opposed to the expedition to
Mexico as that of the public generally.
But it sometimes occurs that the views of the
Emperor are different from those of his ministers,
and they never were more SO than on this question
of Mexico. Nothing shows more clearly the igno-
rance of the semofticia writer's who have been
care of herself than Marshal Forey's speech. The
account he gives of the country and the disas-
trous consequences of the immediate departure
of the French must be correct and known to be
that the great idea" devolved in his
Maiesty's letter to the commander of the forces
is not rightly understood in France, and he
declares it as his deliberate opinion that it would
be highly dangerous to bring back the troops.
| To speak of national spirit existing in Mexico is
| absurd. There is no national spirit there, and if
such a thing as national spirit ever existed, long
| continued anarchy has annihiated it, The mo
ment the army returned from Mexico the whole
of the French residents would have to return with
| it, and if they remained would be exposed to acts
| of violence more ubiquitous than any yet wit
messed. But it is not French citizens and French
I ,1,,f ,nth how tn hl data
must have regard to the population who received
| her soldiers with open arms, and who cannot be
abandoned to their enemies.
When people say that those who cried Viva
| Macmillan should now defend him. they do not
reflect that the Mexicans have not acquired
sufficient confidence in their own strength, for
they have been utterly demoralized by those who
oppressed and plundred them. They must be
allowed time to grow into strength and courage,
but France must continue by their side, and help
them to support the government they have chosen
for themselves. France surely would not incur
the repreach of not having fully comprehended
the great idea Of the Emperor; but. above ALL she
cannot deliver up these populations to the ven
geance of their oppressors.
At the very first intelligence of the retreat of the
French the promoters OF discord will reappear on
the scene. The brigands who are now scattered
would once more rally round the flag of Juarez
The Marshal gave, as proof of what he stated, thu
fact that even at this day the towns evacuated by
the French troops are at once abandoned by the
inhabitants, so intense is the dread of reprsa
from the partisans of Juarez. Macmillan is doins
his best to regenerate that unhappy country. HI
is organizing the army, the finances, public
instruction, the administration of justice. HI
listens to the advice of those sent out to him b,
the Emperor Napoleon and the Mexcans hav
before their eyes, as model, the courage and TIL
discipline of the French army.
EaWith respect to the relations existing between
I France and the United States, Marshal Forey oh
served he was not competent to say any more thai
this--he had too much esteem for the great Amer
I can Republic to think that it would prefer re
public of plunderers and brigands in Mexico to
monarchy with honorable men, based on the prir
ciples of civilization. He asked what must noy
}. be done to complete the.work which France ha
undertaken? His deliberate opinion was tina
more troops must be sent to Mexico and as thu
statement called forth murmurs among the Sens
= tors, he added that if not more troops, at leas
those that were there should remain, and NOR
sacrifices in money should be made
/ 1t was once said that France was rich enough t
pay for her glory; and would it be glorious
leave imperfect the enterprise she has commence
in q distant land? He admitted that money ha
its Importance but was it right that for mer
sum of money the realization of so great d.
sign. conceived by the Emperor, should be Ell
dangered? He did not think SO.
| cannot say what truth there IS in the rune
that there was any concert between Marshal Fore
l. and the Emperor but believe that the sentlmen
to which he gave utterance are not very diferer
nd from those of the Emperor, though he declare
In that he merely spoke for himself.