The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-10-17

i The mexican Empire.
| The year 1866, which has been fatal to Ger
manic thrones will witness also the collapse of more
| modern monarchy In the world. It is not to be
dssembled that the Mexican enterprise is hopeless
fanre and that the empire founded in the capital OF
the Aztecs by Napoleon ILL., has withered away with
out much as taking root in the soil. The empress
arrived in Europe short time ago. and the emperor,
it is expected follow his spouse The
try, in fact must be abandoned by its imperial occu-
pants, like worthless settlement or an untenabe col
ony, and Mexico will more be left at the dispo-
sal of population which has hitherto exhibited an
absolute ncapacity for any form of government.
II these Mexcans have learned during a period of
foreign occupation any of the duties of civilized men,
or have qualified themselves for becoming the citizens
/ of an organized and responsible State shall be
ready to hail the phenomenon of native government
with all satisfaction but in the absence obscurity
of any such prospect cannot but record our regret
at the failure of enterprise which was calculated to
do good to MANY and which assuredly did wrong to
none. -Four years ago the emperor Of the French
commenced the adventure which is now drawing to a
/ close He did not stand alone in his opinion that
Mexico scandal to the civilized world, and that
the deeds of its rulers if such they could be called
had provoked the intervention OF European arms IN
I the suppression of so nveterate nuisance England
and Spain entirely agreed with France in their
estimation of Mexican deserts and both powers ac-
tualy joined in the original expedition against the
country, but England discerned at early period of
expected from their continuance, white Spain, though
willing do all that France did if left to herself,
unwilling to act share holder in the undertaking
So the emperor of the French alone and single
handed carried out the scheme to what cannot be de-
MED was its logical and natural conclusion. If the
ly intention entertained by the combined powers
that of exactng from the Mexican cutthroats prom
ise of better behavior the expedition useless for
a single sloop-of-war at Vera Cruz or Acapulco could
easily have obtained the required pledges which had
already been hundred times given and hundred
times forfeited. But the outrages committed by the
Mexicans had been so iucessant and their defiance of
all international law intoerable that it was resolved
to make end of the business and for all, and
to substitute responsible government of some kind
other for what, during long period Of years, had
been nothing but sanguinarY and hopeless anarchy
The emperor Napoleon therefore, after the English
and Spanish contngents had been withdrawn, main
tained his occupation Of the country and took posses
sion of the capital
At that period native leader, named Juarez, of
pure Indian blood had got the upper hand among the
factions contending necessarily for power lie styled
himself constitutional president Of the Mexican repub
lie; but the designation must not be understood as
really expressing any regular organized govern
ment. The institutions of Mexico no doubt, were
nomnally republican; but, except in theory there
was no president nor constitution republic at all
Two chiefs, representing what had, perhaps,
been originally two political parties, mustered and
maintained their respective sides many bril-
gands and cut-throats could be kept together by
prospects of rapne and page, and between these two
factions while all real authority was in abeYance the
country was left prey the ravages of strife for
which civil would be too dgnifying title. Ia no
patt of the Mexican territory there any security
tor life property. Foreigners Jared no better than
natives.
British or French merchant would have been about as
safe in Timbucto or Dahomey as in Mexican town.
On one occasion the chief of the faction opposed
Juarez being himself for tue moment in power, pro-
ceeded to the residence of the British consul forced
open treasure chest, and stole large Of money
the property of British Subjects deposited for security
under the protection of the British flag. Ii was with
such state of things that the emperor Napoleon had
to deal, and he dealt with it, as the world knows
by driving Juarez into fight, and bestowng the mpc
rial crown Maximilian, archduke Of Austria--the
prince who, after abriet aud pro6tess essay Of
transatlantic royalty, is expected home again,
1t would be OF no great advantage, under present
circumstances to investigate the history of the fail
ure. Ali the conditions of the enterprise turned out
or less unavorably to the design Of Napoleon
Ill., although the prince whom he had selected for the
new throne proved, by common consent, sovereign
of excellent intentions and more than average capacity
But sovereign, however wise or however worthy
must have some support for his government, espe
cially in disorganized country, aud vet as events
showed there was no kind of support to be procured
in Mexico, and sufficient support to be contributed
from without 1t was thought, and we share the I'M
opinion in Mexico they would be attracted prince
who offered, at any rate government instead of an
archy, and law instead Of disorder.
But either there not such things or they were
repelled by foreign dynasty, and Macmillan could
reckon for active support the French garrison only
1t happened, too that the French people, though so
addicted to military enterprise in general conceived
strong aversion for this expedition The troops them
selves disked the service, and their couurymen at
home hardly wished for their success if it in
yoye the continuance of the unpopular protectorae
Then the United States though onS distracted by their
own war, regarded the adventure from the outset with
notorious jealousy which sure to pass ultimately
into active opposition, and which ultimately took
the form Of menacing protests. The American gov
ernment, in fact at last forbade tie dispatch Of any
fresh European forces to American territory though
unpromisiug as well as unpopular had the enter
prise gradually become that the views taken at Wash
ingon did but coincide with the resolutions already
adopted in Paris.
In the meantime the small French garrison, ire I
sistble in fair field but powerless in prodigious an
extent of territory could do little more than protect
the capital and the higmoads to the coast the old
factions time almost driven across the border
recovered strength and daring; and brought
them greater and greater encouragement, they have
closed around the emperor and his guard On every
side. All this WHILE too the sinews Of and gov
ernmeut have been wanting. The French could not
be expected to find the for an American en-
pire, and the empire could find none for itself As +
with ancient monarches the final catastrophe is
said to be financial The emperor must quit Mexico,
if for other reason becaEse he cannct steal like
his predecessors and because otherwise he cannot get
a dollar to live upon
There was, possibly, mscalculation at the bottom
of the enterprise itsef but regards the conduct of
it, we know of but one fault with which the emperor
Napoleon can be fairly charged. When he occupied
the capital and assumed the government Of Mexico lie
did 50 not with impartial condemnation of the old
factions, but with preference to one of them. He (
closed with the party opposed Jnarez which had
least the disadvantage in title and pretension and
precedence was possible between such
caudidates-the more worthless faction of the two
Juarez had offered terms but they refused and
so, driven like respectable patriots in exile, he
at last organized successful resistance to the nva-
der If he has acquired in the process any such prom
scs as beft constitutional ruler any such power
as is necessary to sustain government, may see
an independent Mexico in the list of civilized States
but not yet acquainted with any facts which .
could induce belief in such event. and it is far
more probable that an immediate return of confusion
and another period of murderoHs anarchy will lead to
the Disappearance of the country in the United States
With that result, Europe will have disposition to
quarrel.
WEALTH AND RESOURCES OF ARKANsAs-From re