The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-01-23
THE MEXICAN IMBRoGLIo.

The official correspondence in regard to the
Mexican question, between Mr.. Seward on the
part Of the United States, and Mr.. Drouyn
De L'Huys on the part of Napoleon, discloses
q state Of facts not very.favorable to the con-
tinuance of peaceful relations between the
two countries. 1t appears that the French
Secretary, in November last, proposed to with
draw the French troops from Mexico, on con-
dition that the United States would "adopt,
towards the Mexican Government, an AMIGA
bic attitude, which could aid in the consolda-
ton Of order, and in which he could find ma
terials Of security for the interests which
obliged them to carry arms beyond the Allan
tic. What we ask of the United States, (says
the French Minister,j is to be assured that
their intention is not to impede the consolida-
ton of the new order of things in Mexico !;
and the best guarantee we could receive of
their intention would be the recognition Of the
Emperor Macmillan by the Federal Govern
ment." This language is clear and unmis-
takeable, and leaves no room for doubt as to
he position of the French Emperor. And it
must be admitted, that Mr.. Seward defines
the position of the United States in terms no
less significant and unequivocal. He "regrets
to be obliged to say, that the condition the
Emperor suggests is one which seems quite
impracticable." He feels bound to maintain
that the people of every State on the Ameri-
can Continent, have right to secure to them
selves Republican Government if they choose,
and that interference by Foreign States to pre-
vent the enjoyment of such institutions, de-
Iberately established, is wrongful, and in its
effects antagonistical to the free and popular
form Of government existing in the United
States" .. -..
It is very evident from this brief synopsis of
the correspondence, that war is inevitable, if
both sides maintain the positions which they
have respectively assumed. As we have no
knowledge of what is transpiring behind the
curtains, it is difficult to form any reliable
opinion as to what the final result will be, for
Diplomatists do not always mean what they
say, .---i -.-a~ti,,aas employ languas~ ff.tanded
to conceal rather than convey thought. Judg.
ing, however, from all the indications of pub
Lie sentiment at the North and the deliberate
uttsrances Of those who manufacture and con-
troll public sentiment, we are inclined to the
opinion that Uncle Sam will stand firm in
tAs position which he has assumed. Since
they have demolished the Coufederacy," the
Yankees believe that they can easily whip the
universal world in arms Generals Grant and
Sherman evidently have no objection to break
lance with the " Nephew Of his Uncle" and
recent intelligence from the banks of the Rio
Grande shows that the American soldiers are
spelling for fight, and eager to i" let slip the
dogs of war;" Even the President Of the
United States, in recent communication to
the House Of Representatives, speaks Of Maxi
milan as the " so-called" Emperor of Mexico.
This language clearly implies that His Excel
lency is not at all disposed to comply with the
requirements Of Napoleon and that. he has
no more idea of recognising Macmillan, than
be had Of recognizing the late "so-ealled Con-
fsdsracy of States" We are curious to see
how Napoleon will receive this term of insult
and reproach, when applied to his Mexican
Protege.
In this connection, we call especial atten-
ton to che Mexican news published this morn
ing under the Geographic head, which has
come to hand since the above was written.