The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-03
press a great truth BY slight change Of
Burke's epigram-"E Education Is the cheap de-
fence OF nations. sNtt -


Tho Hitch In tho French Evacsatioa Of
Mexico.
Considerable uneasiness prevails a. to tho
intentions Of Louis Napoleon in regard to
Mexico. Even our government. If the purport
of its long cable despatch to Minister Bigelow
be correctly reported, shares in this anxiety.
The fact that the Emperor has made no reply
to 1t would look az il his assurances to Mr..
Seward had undergone modification. What
the motives Of this may be suggests matter for
speculation. Do they arise from unexpected
difficulties raised by Macmillan, or are they
prompted by the prospect Of this country
drifting into war with England, on account
Of the Alabama claims or the Fenian
troublesi
According to our views Of the matter the
last Of the hypothesis suggested is wholly in
admissible. We do not believe there is any
one in France, the most violent opponent Of
the Mexican expedition not excepted, who is
now more eager for the withdrawal of the
French troops from that country than Napo-
leon. An alliance with England against
US would offer him no advantages
that could compensate him for the perils to
which further continuance of his army on
Mexican soil would expose him. His position
vis-d-uis Of the other European Powers has
become 50 critical that it will require him for
many years to come TO keep his military and
naval resources concentrated within easy
reach. Moreover the sentiments Of the French
people in opposition to these plans of distant
conquest have been so unequivocally expressed
that he dare not persevere in them. They feel
as he must now himself feel, that there is
nothing to be made out of this Mexican business
either in the shape of territory or glory. What
motive, then, would there be for persevering in
policy which is not only proftless in itself
but which must eventually entail disaster and
ruin on those engaged in it.
IF there is to be delay in the fulflment Of
the promises made to our government it will
probably arise from the first of the causes sug-
gested The course which Macmillan has
pursued since the arrival of General Castleneau
has been entirely self-reliant and shows that he
has resolved to emancipate himself from French
control. If he persists in his refusal TO abdi-
cate he may complicate matters and postpone
for period, though that will be brief
one, the departure Of the French. Napoleon
will probably conceive himself bound in honor
to get him safe out of the country result
which is certainly not 10 be expected If he per-
sists in abandoning himself to the tender mer-
cies Of his quondam subjects. Although the
manner in which he allowed himaelf to be
forced upon them did not argue much scrupu-
lousness, il is said that he now stands "on the
order Of his going" and talks Of fresh appeal
to the nation. This ia no doubt the explans-
ton OF the difficulties which temporarily OPP
pose themselves To the departure Of the French.
They are unwilling to add to the charge Of bad
faith made against them on account of their
abandonment Of the imperialist cause by their
personal desertion Of the ex-Emperor. Should
anything occur to him it would be standing
reprosch against Napoleon and would aggra
vate the indignation which has already been
manifested against him in this connection. The
dead lock cannot, however, continue more than
a few weeks, and 1t will probably end in the
French forcibly carrying the recalcitrant prince
out Of the country.