The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-07

swamped in the State, as the returns so far
indicate, the "ring" we may say, has fought
its battle Of Petersburg, and viii be compelled
to capitulate to reorganization Of the city
government on a responsible system Of checks
and balances before the end Of the winter.
The Farce Of Mexican Empirc-Exit Maxi.
4 milan.
The fight of Macmillan from Mexico, like
the capture Of JEFF Davis in petticoats, gives q
ridiculous termination to very interesting
historical episode. To take advantage Of our
civil war, establish foreign empire in Mexico,
regenerate the Latin race. collect vast amounts
Of gold and silver for the French treasury. and
delight the French people by showing them .
splendid military expedition which more than
paid its expenses, was really grand Napo-
leonic idea. Although Americans have been
opposed TO the empire from the outset and re-
joice that the farce Is over, still they cannot
help admiring the boldness and originality
OF the French Emperor's scheme. The selec-
ton of Macmillan as the Mexican Emperor
was also shrewd piece Of diplomacy, all cir
cumstances considered but If Napoleon had
been wise enough to foresee the triumph OF the
Union arms in our late struggle, be would
either have abandoned bis project altogether
or else have chosen a native Mexican, instead
of Macmillan, Us his imperial tool, thus avoid
ing any conflict with our Monroe doctrine and
basing his action upon the right Of the
people to alter their own form Of gov
eminent However, 1t is too late now to
speculate upon what might have been. Napo-
Icons idea was brilliant one, but it has
proved impractlcable, and with his usual good
sense the French Emperor quietly withdraws
his troops and his puppet and gracefully
yields to the United States the management Of
aff ,irs upon this continent.
But although we may admire the breadth
and the cleverness Of Napoleon's scheme, we
cannot deny that Maximilian's attempt 10 put
IL into practical execution was mere farce,
relieved only by the graccs, the viz
tues and the misfortunes Of Carlotta, and
ending like oil farces, with the ignominious
and laughable exit Of the low comedian.
When Macmillan came to Mexico no was sin
KuidIly III tulntSI Vic WOulu nave tuOuRUk
that he expected to found an empire that would
outlast the day Of judgment He resigned all
his hereditary rights to the crown Of Austria,
and cut himself off, so far a. was possible,
from everything connected with the Old
World. lie tried to persuade himself and his
people that he was Mexican. He sported q
sombrcro and a ponchon and discarded the
European style Of costume. In his speeches
and proclamations he spoke Of "our, history
and a. our heroes-meaning those OF the
Mexican peoples II he had been TO the
manner born. Quietly ignoring Juarez, Santa
Anna and the Mexican republic, he prof,ssed
TO regard himself as the direct sue
cessor Of Yturbide, and In order 10 link
himself still more closely to Mexican traditions,
he arranged that iineal descendant Of Ytur-
bde should be his heir In case he sbould die
without issue. This was oil very pretty, very
dramatic and very romantic; but unfortunately
the world refused 10 believe II real. Il was
jusl like scene at the theatre, which seems
quite like reality, but which everybody knows
is nero mnmmery. Macmillan dressed his
part well and played II with great show Of
earnestness; but he never could persuade
either the Mcxieans or the rest Of mankind
that he was anything more than an actor and
his empire anything more than theatrical
sham.
And now the farce is over AZ hint nom
the United States Napoleon has rung down
the curtain. When Il rises once more we shall
have very different sort Of performance, with
sherman and Baxaine, Campbell and Castel
ne,u, yuerSz and Ortesa - tho leading actors
Meanwhile II IL impossible not to pity poor
little Macmillan, who packs his portmansess
In 4 hurry and steals swaY 70 Vera Crus 81