The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-30
The Mexican ImbrOgliO.

question at no distant day. To expect sum
mary, immediate, and unexplained withdrawal
of the French troops, we're to assume spirit of
humiliation for which there Is no precedent in
the history of the French nation. And to sup
pose that the French Emperor, to avert the
chances Of more serious trouble, would forget
the consideration due to the pride of the people
over whom he rules were to suppose him
deprived of the wisdom and tact which have won
for him the foremost position among the mon
arChs OF Europe.
But there Is incontestable evidence of his
anxiety TO escape from the consequences Of his
blunder. The remarkable attempt OF the official
journal TO dwarf armed intervention into cru
sade of baiitis for the collection OF a doubtful
debt, possessed q significance which could hardly
be exaggerated. 1t was the endeavor OF batfled
ambition 10 explain away its purpose without
submitting to degradation. 1t transferred the
questIon-so far as the attitude of France is con-
Cerned-trom the category OF things visionary TO
things practical and possible. The reasonable
ness of the pretext We are not required to con.
slider. Whether the MOnttet,r is able to reconcile
its explanation with the cause and the fact of
the withdrawal of Span and England from the
tripartite alliance, is matter that should occa-
sion us anxiety. The preteXt itself and the
result 1t ioreshadows are the main features of
interest to this country.
Now we have, on the authority of the Paris
correspondent of the London Times, the state
ment that the Emperor and his Ministers are
agreed as to the necessity of speedily recalling
the troops; the only difference OF opinion being
in reference to the exact moment at which the
step shall be taken. The rumor that the Empe-
ror desires brief delay, pending the completion
OF the Austrian contingent, receives partial con-
frm9tion through the usuallydoubtful dispatches
purperting to be received at New Orleans from
the city of Mexico.
Whether the time of the withdrawal be early
or late and the assigned rea,on of the with
drawal rational or ridiculous, the animus and
morality of the whole affair Will be correctly
American DeODle
doubts that may nave been entertained upon
this head must be dispelled by the information
recently conveyed by the State Department to
the Senate touching the Imperial plans for the
colonization OF Coniederates in Mexico. and the
prosecution OF various enterprises under their
guidance. AS England, while protecting her
neutrality, sent forth and sustained the pirates
that preyed on An erlcan commerce, so France,
while rendering her national honor as a pledge
OF non-inteIterence, secretly carried forward
schemes OF conquest and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, in re-
lance upon Rebel agencies. The development
is not fattering to those whom 1t most concerns.
II exposes Minister of State, with his hand
upon his heart deliberately seeking 10 misead
us. 1t confirms the impression that the aim of
the Emperor has been to take advantage OF our
civil strife to further Imperial ends And we
regret 10 say it shows that Tor the altered aspect
of the Mexican question we are indebted less 70
the Imperial sense OF Justice than to the Impe-
rial estimate of the power which suppressed the
Rebellion.
As the matter stands, however, we can well
unavowed motives, provided only the conclu-
sion be satisfactory. With the conscience of
Louis Napoleon we have as little to do as with
the sincerity of those English statesmen and
journalists who now find it convenient to be
more than complimentary to the United States.
The present professions of both, no doubt rest
on the same ground and spring from the same
source, and with neither need we trouble our
selves except in their bearing upon questions yet
unsettled The main point in regard to Mexico
is that Louis Napoleon now deems expedlent the
~ fhA IN~arnn and ny1Ixy fhn
occasion when he may execute his purpose with
the least possible modification.
The recent dsgTaceful occurrences on the Rio
Grande will perhaps produce mOmentary heslta-
tion. To be obliged to abandon a scheme of
conquest, and a matured part OF the Imperial
policy will be sufficiently unpleasant, be the ac
cesso1ies and excuses what they may. But to
quail before a horde of border ruthans-to sue
cumb to thlevish tlibusters-to yield to pres
sure exercised by outlaws, and an argument
pushed by unlicensed cutthroats-would be to
endure degradation fatal to the Napoleonic
rule. Hence it is not unlikely that the first
effect of the tidngs of the Bagdad affair will be
unfavorable Indeed, the New Orleans despatch,
which states that 'the French troops will not
be withdrawn until the Emperor MaXimilan is
declared free from American intervention" is
in all likelihood true.
The folly as well as the criminality of those
who are engaged in fomenting border forays
and aiding and comforting the hlibusters, OF
whom Crawford has been the acknoW Wledged
leader, is thus made manifest. With the fihbus-
ters themselves, rank or tile 1t were idle to
argue. No consideration of duty or expediency
troubles them. With an appetite TOR blood and
pluuder, they may be properly left to be dealt
with by French soldiers, or by the authority
which our Government Is energetica ly employ
ing tor the maintenance OF neutrality. But
there are men of another stamp, lar removed
from the Rio GTande, who should perceive the
inevitable tendency of their course on the Mexi-
can question. The orators who have waXed
eloquent in their advocacy of the Monroe doc
trine, and the crowd of mediocrities who have
applauded the suggestion that IN some way, and
al any cost, the French should be driven out of
Mexico, must be made TO carry their share of
responsibility IN the premises. They have done
all they could to precipitate difficulties, and the
occurrences on the Rio Grande are the leCiti-
mate consequences OF their teaching. In this
respect they are the most dangerous enemies of
Tepubhcanism in Mexico.
The prompt nterposition of the authorities at
Washington, ana the determination they have
evnced to maintain order on our side OF the Rio
Grande, will not be lost upon the tenant OF the
Tuileres or his instrument in Mexico. A more
striking sign OF the good faith with which our
Government strives to preserve It's neutrality
could not be desired. II proves chat the move
ment OF the flibusters has no national signih-
cance, and that the people OF the United States
while declaring their sympathy with the repub.
lican cause IN Mexico, and their aversion to
French Intervention, howsoever disguised, are
resolved to leave on other shoulders the respon-
sbihty Of adding to the existing complications.
BY this course the moral strength and inhu-
ence Of this country is being immensely in
creased. Had the Executive chosen to quarrel
openly with France, as was urged at the time by
the more NOISY champions of the Monroe doc
trine the war, now happily ended, would have
gone on more hercely than ever. The Rebels
would have had France for their active ally on
land and sea, and the Mexican imbroglio would
hpnnma nnrmanantlU ihahl