Evening star., 1867-05-06
A SHORT-LIyED EMPIRE.

In view of The .sdeclne and falI' of the
Mexican Empire-if Government so weak
ana tottering from the be ginning can be said
10 decline-it may be well to review some Of
the circumstances which led to the forced es-
tablishment of Imperialism over a neighbor-
ing Republic, in the safety, prosperity, and
welfare OF which our people cannot but ( lei
deep interest. No matter sOw little capacity
the MexIcans nave shown for self-govern-
ment. IL was but natural that we should vie w
with jealousy and dIstrusI any European in =
terfersn &C with them: and it is no less natural
that We should now rejoice in, the overthrow
of usurpation which had so little hold on
the affection OF the people as TO require TO be
propped with foreign tayonets, and Which
tails when they are Withdrawn.
PreyioU, 10 1860 the manifest strength of
the United States was a sufficient protection
fer itself and for Mexico against all foreiga
States. That strength was weakened by
faction in 1861. and the jealousy OF Great
Britain. France, and Spain promp ted them 10
assume an Unfriendly attitude towards us
This frs manifested itself in the triple expe
dItiCn 20 Mexico, undertaken by them in yir-
tue OF Joint treaty dated October 3Ist 1861.
IL vas terminated in February. 1862, after the
reduction OF Vera Cruz, by the Plenipoten-
tiaTles recognizing the Republican govern
- Al.
providing for negotiations in settlement OF
ghsIr respective claims. That Convention was
Eati1ied by the governments of England and
SPAN, but was rejected by that of France. on
the ground that her object IN the expedition
was ''tC overthrow the phantom of a govern
ment' which the Plenipotentiaries had recog-
nized and treated with. England and Spain
thSreupou withdrew, and the Emperor of
France continued alone the assault upon
the Mexican Republic, and on the I'd
OF July Zoe, explained in his famouS
letter 10 General Forey The motives and
objects of the invasion. He had already
IN March, 1862. expressed to Mr.. DAYTON his
belief that the North would not be successful
in putting down the rebellion, and he nov
boldly intimated that the object OF the expedi. .
tion was TO check the progress of the United
States: TO prevent their commanding the Gulf
and becoming the only dispensers of the pro.
ducts of the New Wor d, and that with tbi.
view he proposed TO res-ore 10 The Latin race
rs prestige by continuing a stable ~ govern
ment In Mexico, and thus France would
create immense markets for her commerce
and establish her influence s,in The center OF
America"
To carry out this grand project. after the
capture of the City of Iexieo by the French
on the 10th of June, 1c6;, the generaI-ln- cine.
issued decree convening an assembly OF
'notabilitIes" and - noribes," which met and
adopted according 10 programmed as form
OF government a limited hereditary monarchy
win Catholic prince TO take the title OF
Emperor OF Mexico and The crown was of
fered TO the Prince Ferdinand Maximillian
Archduke of Austria, for himself and his
descendants. He accepted, a. D, was arranged
ne should.) and trIed 10 get recognition O. mis-
T.
his coming over IN the spring o! 1864 Thus
oy conspiracy, III which many Nexicans en.
gagged against the Independence and freedom
OF their own country, an imperial monarchy
was founded in Mexico q little more than
three years ago. With the collapse Of the
rebellion and the extinction OF slavery in this
country, which demonstrated the power OF
our government. It became evident thar the
Empire would not lcng continue. and the
prompt withdrawal of the French traons in
compliance with Napoleon-s promises 10 rs
ensured us speedy downfall as the peopIe
Were against il II an Emperor could be toll
Grated at all IN Mexico, Mammalian youId
have been as good as any other, doubtless
better than some. he seemed TO have MANY
good qualities, and but few bad ones But il
he had been the wisest and best ruler in IN
world he could not have kindered his throne
from crumblng under him. Manifest des-
-Iny was AT work.
We have assumed the recep, news from,
Mexico 10 be true, bat whether, u Is entirely
correct OF not makes httle difference asrha
Empire, II not now al an end, must soon he
numbered among the things that We're. What
follows! That L. aquestion more easily asked
than answered. As We have already stated
England and Spain recognized the Republican
Government OF Juarez III the convention OF
lo62, and our Government has been steadfasr
throughout in recognition OF the Republic and
has always refused 10 nave ANYTHING 10 do
with the Empire. But Senior Ortega CLAIMS 70
have become the Constitutional Pre.ident by
fhe expiration of the term OF Juarez, and
ne mas some adherents. They say that, &C.
cOrdiHg 10 what Is called the ConstItu
non In that distracted country. Juarez
Is nothing but a private citizen Tha,
there VIII be other contestants for the
supreme power i probable, and in case an
archy and civil war prevail again, what is
our duty To what extent we can properly
intervene becomes then a grave and weighty
question, which demands the most serious
consideration. That We should eadeayor 10
secure the personal safety Of Maximillian
Will be agreed 10 by all But ifintervention
Tor this humane purpose Is Ilowable, il may
be argued that humanity should carry us vet
further, and interest us in the settlement of
the government - Mexico on a firm Republi-
can basis Perhar so, but we should for the
present content ourselves with giving good
advice, and wal, to what the Mexlcans
themselves will make out OF 1.-The situation
without our interference. II they fail utterly
TO extricate themselves, IL will be time enough
then for us TO consider in what way we can
best help them.
TIE WHITE HoUsE-Bnt a few visitors
were at the Executive Mansion TO- day nearly
all of whom had an Interview with the Presi-
dent. Secretaries Seward and Welle. had an
with the Executive this morning.
TIE WHEAT CRoP.-Information received
at the Agricultural Department from all sec.
tiOns of the eorntry shows that the whea
crop this season will be the finest prod uced In
fhIs cOnufrY for man " wears