Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-12-20
THE MEXICAN QUESTION.


that Macmillan is not in so great a hurry
to abdicate the throne as was supposed by
those who pretended to understand his late
movements. He has decided to make an
other effort to establish the Empire, and
proclamation communicating that fact has
been published.
The Vera Cruz journals attribute this
determination on the part of Macmillan
to the arrival of Mr. Campbell as the ac-
credited ambassador from the Government
of the United States to the Republic of
Mexico, accompanied by Gen. Sherman
and these papers call upon the their coun-
trymen to prevent the absorption of the
country with the United States
On the other hand, another account in
forms us that, notwithstanding the procla-
nation of Macmillan, above referred to,
his baggage is being shipped for Austria,
and the French troops are being concentra-
ted preparatory to leaving.
While it is true that we cannot deduce
from these contradictory statements any
thing reliable, yet, when we consider the
hardness of Napoleon in Withdrawing the
French troops from Mexico, it is evident
that there is purpose to maintain the
Empire so long as there is the faintest
hope O. establishing it permanently.
1t must be admitted that the position Of
Macmillan, as the protege Of Napoleon, is
. one of great delicacy, and should be so re-
garded and treated by our Government
We should not act >precipitately, neither
should we wound the tender sensibilities
Of Macmillan by harsh epethets nor rouse
the national pride of France by hasty and
unwise diplomacy. We say, let our Gov
eminent exercise proper forbearance to-
ward the unfortunate Individual who sits
upon the totterng throne of Mexico. and
treat with due consideration the more ini-
portant parsonage who placed him upon it,
and the American policy known as the
Monroe doctrine, that foreign powers shall
not inverfere with the political affairs Of
this continent, except so far as it regards
their own territorial possessions, may be
asserted and maintained without Interrupt
ting the present amicabe relations between
the Government of the United States and
those powers.
The attempt to establish an Empire in
Mexico, at time when the people of the
United States were too much occupied
with the domestic difficulties through
which we have just passed to prevent it,
was exceedingly annoying and distasteful
to our Government and people, and it
cannot be expected that we should submit
to an act so repugnant to the moral sense
Of the nation. All the parties concerned
should understand this And if, after the
lapse of sufficient time to enable Napo-
leon honorably to extricate himself and his
protege from their present position, they
shall persist in their purpose to establish
an Empire in Mexico, the Government Of
the United States must seriously consider
the question whether the destruction of
the Republican form of government in
Mexico shall be peaceahly submitted to or
@al Nv W. oonc.lo. 70
what extent the United States, as the prin-
eipal Republican Government on this con
tinenA, are bound to Sustain the Republic
of Mexico against the encroachnnents of
foreign powers and we must also consid-
er what influence the establishment of a
monarchy there will have upon the per-
manency Of our own system Of Gonern-
ment. At all events, in this great contest
between the principles of free government
and the MonarichaI Governments of the
Old World,. it does not comport with oug
national pride and the progressive character
of our people to remain Indifferent specta-
tors If great political changes are to be
wrought in the condition of our neighbefs,
we must initiate the example of the Euro
pean powers, and act with reference to our
own future safety.
But while we are opposed to any inter-
ference in the political affairs Of this CONT
nent on the part of European powers, we
are uncompromisingly opposed to the abb
sorption Of Mexico by the Government Of
the United States. We already have ter
ritory enough to. meet the wants Of our
expanding populations for the next century;
: an tl,c,, we VIII have enn,a oh. To do to