The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-12
The Diplomatic Correspondence Concern.
ing Mexico.


From The Tunes.
During the war of Secession Louis Napoleon
exhibited no great anxiety to secure the recogni-
ton of the so-called Mexican Empire by our
Government. The subject was limited at once or
twice, but from what we have heard we judge
that Macmillan was more anxious than his mas
ter about the matter. Our recognition was of
secondary Importance then; for with the esta-
blishment OF the Southern Coniederacy, which
was considered an assured historical fact in
Europe, the Northern Government would have
but limited influence, and but distant relations
with Mexico. The Government and the Empire
of JEFF. DAVIS would have been the power whose
action would have been of Importance, and there
is no doubt that it would have been glad enough
to recognize, or be recognized by, Macmillan or
any one else.
But Just when the Confederacy was broken
beyond repair-iUst when the power of our Gov
Crnment was triumphanuy INDICATED over all
foes upon land and sea-that is to say, about
nine months ago--a systematic and determined
series OF operations were begun to secure the re-
Gognition OF the Maximilian empire by the Gov
eminent of the United States.
The diplomatic correspondence of our State
Department about Mexico is of a remarkably
complicated character. This is cuHiously illus
trated by the documents which President John.
son sent to Congress On Tuesday, in compliance
with previous resolution of that body. Secre
tary Seward has communication on the subject
with Romero, representing the Juarez Govern
ment; with Arroyo, representing MaXmian;
with MonthOlon, representative OF Louis Napo-
leon at Washington, and with DrOuyn de PHuys
in Paris, through cur representative at the
French Court. To steer straight course under
these embarrassing circumstances, and to give
to all the correspondence the necessary unity Of
sentiment and expression, requires on the one
hand no little diplomatic SKILL and on the other,
that the policy OF our Government shall be clearly
defined, decided, and fixed.
Those who have taken the trouble to read the
dispatches will entertain no doubt that both
these requirements are met. There is much
said by lllinformed or malicious people about
tergiversation in our diplomacy upon this i'm
poruant question. But il is nevertheless, q fact,
testCd beyond dispute, that from the time the
invasion of Mexico was projected four years ago,
until the 9th Of last month, when the published
correspondence ends, the policy of our Govern
ment concerning Mexico has been OF the most
consistent and steady character, and its official
utterances have been such as to merit the 0esig
nation OF the highest craftsmanship.
II has, under all circumstances, refused to
recognize Macmillan, and has never ceased to
protest against the French policy of invasion.
1t has constantly maintained its relations with
the Republican Government both in Mexico
itself and at Washington, and has in this and
other ways given it an unwavering moral sup
port At the same time 1T has never found it
necessary to plunge the nation into war, or to
indulge in clustering threats of war. We all
know what the latter course would have meant
during the Rebellion; and though the Rebellion
is a thing Of the past and the power and ener-
gies OF the nation are now compact and untram-
melled, our Government has always to this
moment maintained the same pacific course, and
the same dignified and decided attitude. Neither
the course nor the attitude can be mistaken,
either by Louis Napoleon or by Macmillan.
They are only misrepresented by those in this
country whose constant business is misrepre-
sentation.
1t was at the beginning of March last that
| SerOr Arroyo, who had arrived here with the
| mission, proclaimed in advance, to lsecure the
| RECOGNITION of MaXimillan, attempted to APP
proach the Secretary cf-State through Mr.. Cor
| win, who had been our Minister to Mexico, and
whose favorable inclination towards the new
| empire was well known. lie expressed himself
anxious merely to secure the recognition OF
| MaXimilian's Consuls to this country in the in
terest of trade; but took the trouble of stating
that the Government OF Juarez had no existence
! either ole fGotO or de JuTe-a matter upon which,
| it must be supposed, or Government entertained
! different opinion.
! No replication being made to on this, the Mar
! quis de Montholon called at the Department OF
| State some time alter saying hat special
agent had arrived from Mexico, bearing letter
| from Maxim ilian to the President OF the United
States; but Montholon was presently informed
| that our Government was in friendly communl
cation with the Republican Government OF
| Mexico, and that the President declined to re
ceiye the letter, or to hold intercourse with the
| agent who brought it. Romero next appears
| upOh NI6 SltS', COlh VI hI4OyOs tt9SNtlhP
| ton; but MIR. Seward explains, and adds that we
! recognize no other Government of Mexico thar
that of Juarez. Romero, however, is no better
satisfied with this than Arroyo was with the
| other
TIE next document is despatch of Mr. Seward
| to our Munster at the French Court for the in
formation of the French Emperor. Mr.. BigeloV
is informed that the presence and operations o
a French army in Meylco, and its maintenance
OF authority there, are causes of serious concern
TO the United States;n that this country still
'Tegards the attempt to establish permanently
iorelen and Imperial Government IN Mexico a
disallowable and dimpracticable;" that we canno
agree to compromise the position we have here
totore assumed; and that we will not recognize
any political institu tions in Mexico which are II
opposition TO the Republican Government viii
which we have so long and so constantly main
talned relations of amity and friendship
On this despatch being read to Drouyn dt
lhuys he remarked, doubtless with truth, tha
he derived neither pleasure nor satisfaction froII
its contents. Mr. Seward reiterates these senti
ments, however in December last, and in con
Guiding his despatch says that ''the United
States will not recognize MaXimilian even II th'
French troops should be withdrawn from