The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-15
The Mexican DimcuIry.

The MIexican DImcuIry.
The arrest Of General Ortega on the Texas
frontier was doubtless prompted by . wise
desire to prevent any further complication Of
the already difficult questions that confuse our
relations with Mexico. Juarez represents for
us the de facto government of the countryside
government Of the republic that we have not
ceased to recognize-the government whose
minister is accepted at our capital, and the
government to which we have accredited an
important diplomatic commission, now at sea.
Without any disposition to take sides in Mexi-
can politics, or any pretension to determine
questions Of the interior life of the country, it
was due to ourselves simply that we should
prevent the departure of one who only pro-
posed for his country new disturbances, revo-
lntionary or warlike. If such view of the
case does not satisfy Ortega he had better
present himself to the commissioners on their
way to Mexico, to arrange, If possible, the
settlement of the country.
Our present relations with Mexico are those
Of friend wishing well to her, and of a
neighbor who takes care that no one shall
endanger his house by setting fire to the house
next door, Minister Campbell and General
Sherman are going to see what steps 1t Is
necessary for such q friend and neighbor to
take They go TO Tampico in order to be half
way between the French and the liberal
government and accessible to either. Certain
informal propositions from the liberal govern
ment induced their mission; and while they
will learn exactly the force and extent Of such
propositions, they will also communicate with
the French authorities a. to the withdrawal Of
the French troops !; and II their negotiations
with Juarez should warrant it, they may
hasten the retirement or those troops by
pledging the United States to guarantee a
regular government in Mexico and the
safety Of such claim or indemnity as may be
agreed upon between Mexico and France.
Such pledge. Of course, must be entirely con-
tingent upon the understanding had with
the liberal authorities We do not want TO
burden ourselves just now with the troubles OF
even o sister republic but we have some
duties in the case, and If we can get the French
away and pacify the country by endorsing the
Mexican obligations, taking territorial secu-
rity for the risk, we ought to do it. The
primary Idea Of this part of the negotiation is to
| got the French out Of Mexico on the best terms,
and so reduce the difficulty to the simple do.
| nestle settlement Of the country. So
We are compelled to recognize Juarez In
order to treat practically and Immediately for
the departure Of the French; but upon the re-
tirement Of Marshal Bszaine and his forces II
will become important to determine exactly
the disputed question as to who is the rightful
representative Of the sovereign capacity OF the
people. There can be but one satisfactory
way TO determine this, and that Is to 70 at
once to tho fountain Of power; and all ncgoti-
alton with the de facto authority must be based
upon the understanding that there shall be an
election for President and Congress as soon as
the French are gone. This will put at rest all
hairspltting discussion as 10 or oficio incum-
bents and set the country on its feet In vital
way. The Mexican negotiation IL one full OF
difficulty and delicacy. II il matter In which
we are being narrowly watched by all Europe:
and the honorable and successful adjustment OF
the troublesome complication will rebound In
a large way TO the credit OF the country, as we'll
as particularly to the credit OF Mr. Johnson
administration.
Tas ExrsRoa or BRAziL TO vsr ran UNrSp
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