The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-03

Triumph OF tho Liberal Cause In Mckee.
telegram from New Orleans announces
that Poririo Diaz had succeeded in taking and
holding q considerable portion of the city Of
Mexico. The next accounts will certainly
bring us the news Of his occupation Of the en-
tire capital This, with the capture Of Maxi
milan, who was reported to be hidden some
where in the neighborhood of Queretaro, will
complete the success Of the liberal cause.
What singular series Of events the attempt
Of Napoleon4o impose his win upon the people
of Mexico has brought about His personal in
auence and popularity have been sacrificed in
the effort, and he has incurred the reproach Of
leaving in the lurch weak but amiable prince
who had allowed himself to be made the instru-
ment Of bis ambitious designs Should the
liberals shoot Macmillan, as they very prob
ably will, the indignation which his death will
excite against Napoleon will be very general
People will then reason abroad az we reasoned
here when he first developed his plans in regard
to the creation Of the Mexican empire. II, but
for our success in putting down the rebellion
and the subsequent complications that have
arisen on the continent of Europe, he had sue
ceeded in carrying them out, as he certainly
would, what, at best, would have been the re-
suit He might have established strong gov
eminent in Mexico, but 1t could only have been
for few years. Events would soon have de-
monstrated that his views in connection with
that country were shortsighted and impracti-
cable. He could no more have succeeded In
permanently establishing his influence there
than In winning our consent to it. The TACT il
he traded beyond his political capital, and nst
only baakruptsd his scheme but nearly ruined
his own fortunes He had no business In Nor
leo at ell, and - h usual with interiopes, was
compelled to withdraw from it in the most
humiliating manner. The lesson should bo
serviceable to him, though We own we greatly
doubt its effect
Now that Mexico is left to herself, the ques-
ton arises whether We shall witness any i'm
provement in her condition. American capital
lists who have heavy interests there are press
ing our government to send . strong force to
aid in the establishment Of order, and to main
tain permanent Intervention In tho affairs a
tho country. They employ arguments to justify
the step, which, whatever force they may
have had in the past, do not necessarily hold
good as to the future. The almost total ah-
sence Of education and the general prevalence
of immortality among the Mexicans are dwelt
upon as insuperable obstacles to selfgovern-
ment The same reasons have been urged
against the advancement of almost every peo-
pie whose condition has become deteriorated.
or who have had no opportunities Of progress.
In this latter category may be placed the
Mexicans, who, springing from a mixed
race in which the Indian element pre-
dominates, have been purposely' kept by
the priesthood in this backward condition
But with the extinction Of this influence, in tho
abolition Of the Church Establishment and the
more general spread Of education, what Is 10
prevent the Mexicans from progressing in po-
litical knowledge like other nationalitiesf
There is not one Of the motives that is urged
for our government to place them in q state Of
tutelage that does not apply with equal foroe
to the negro race In our Southern States, whom
we have elevated to level with their late
masters. :
IA view vi all sulS We 10 not bnlnk we arc
prepared, nor is the world prepared, for any
such hasty step as that recommended by tho
advocates Of Intervention. Il would have the
worst possible effect in Mexico, and would
transfer to us the hatred which its people feel
towards the French. Il Is much better for our
government to give them chance Of settling
their internal differences, and Of proving that
they are capable Of better things than perpetual
anarchy and social abasement The next three
years will be an interesting epoch in the
history Of Mexico. They will afford Its people
an opportunity Of showing BY their mag
nsnimity, forbearance and anxiety for improve
ment, that the evils Of their condition are mot
inherent In themselves. II that ordeal fails 10
effect the changes that We look for, then some
thing will have to DO done By N. Il Ii not
likely that we shall be mtisAed TO leave .
country which il without an equal IN point q
natural advantages, and which might be made
one Of Che most powerful in the world, 70 con-
tinue to consume its energies and resources In
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