New-York tribune., 1866-12-26
GrAR1yTEEJNG MEyICO.


From the elaborate plea in behalf Of Mexico, which
We print to-day, it will be observed that Awritsr,
whose views are at least clearly stated, is disposed
TO believe that the duty Of this country To her sister
Republic requires that some Of material aid shall
be given TO Moxico. We dissent, but we give the
writer hearing We don't think this country can
afford to repeat, in any form to any extent the
bunder of Napoleon. Nor are our finances in a con-
dton TO encourage 10 enter upon any transactions
involving financial guarantee Of the Republic.
The fortunes of MexicO-we mean the Republic and
not the Empire-have never been in reality so hope
less as they have seemed to superficial observers In
stead of being an argument for monarchy based on
conclusions like those Of the Rebel exile Harris that
the Mexicans are the most worthless population on
earth" they prove the endurance Of Republican prin-
cpe against the greatest odds that have ever assaed
a nation Of equal numbers. 1t has never been gen.
orally understood that the struggle Of Mexico through
a chronic war has been ever toward more perfect
Republic, instead Of retrogradng 10 an Empire.
The Mexicans have encountered, among Others,
those troubles resultant from powerful and inmical
institutions, which VIC were fortunate 10 get rid
Of at a cost of some billions, a year ago. Mexico
abolished Slavery, though possibly no slaye-owning
country, except it he some Spanish province like
Cuba had so many artificial reasons in the texture of
It's society, and the mixed nature of its institutions
and politics, TO assmilate itself wholly TO this con.
yenient but terrible evil. But when Slavery
was =, put under ground, there TO await Maxi
milian's late summons for its resurrection,
in the form Of peonagc, much more
potent evil confronted the Mexican reformer. II was
a Church that owned more money and available and
tba itCeif nil
ious or political wrongs that is one Of the worst which
Joins the Church to the State expense TO the morals
intelligence, and honesty Of both. The clerical lead
ers of Mexico made bad eonfessors and worse Cover
nors and its prestrulcd politicians and soldiers wcro
reckless statesmen and corrupt generals. Church
which can when actuatcd by less than the highest
Christianity, exercise dangerous dominion over igno-
rant Millions contracted fearful taisOn with tho
Mexican State The crime of such connection cost
Mexico. as il has cost other States prodigal and
awful expense Of treasure and blood. But, after in
Vulnerable revolutions fercey testing the tenacty of
the most vital principle Of selfgOvernment, the Re
public rose victor and Church-craft and King.craft
went down. The secuarization Of Church property.
accomplished by the Liberals under Juarez, bad
placed Mexico on an honest basis and oyerhrown the
monarchical principle. Her future seemed never be-
fore SO bright and assured until Napoleon interyened
to erect again the monarchy, with about as much
reason and scruple his part as it would take to
restore Slavery at this moment in the United States.
Nevertheless the cause Of liberty has survived in
longsuffering Mexico At the end Of tedious con-
test the principle with which her war began has vim
dicated ITSELF After trial of the longest and sorest
character with monarchy in the field backed by the
mghtest nation of Europe, it is found that Mexico
will neither tolerate the Empire surrender the Ro-
public. She has proved her capacity to endure, and
has fairly earned the sympathies of mankind. 1t is
not the Republic that is now to be despared Of but
the monarchyi not Juarez but Maximilian for, once
left to ITSELF Mexico has morally no Othor choice
than Republic.