New-York tribune., 1867-10-03
THE DEFENSE OF MEXICO.

Tor q ucIcnuer. Hat StHticlidn hi hio SP'''"
last night, printed in other columns, almost
disarms criticism by the frankness and force OF
his argument and the sincerity OF his Trend
ship for the United States In the eight years
during which he has represented his Govern
ment at Washington, SenOr Romero has had
ample assurance of the good will of our people
to the Mexican Republic; he has been en-
abled to inform his cOuntrymen that as
we are ourselves resolved not to interfere with
Mexican affairs, so we are resolved that other
nations shall not interfere. In the letters read
at the Banquet last night, Gen. Grant lntl-
mates, and Senator Cameron expressly declares,
that if the Mexican victory had been much longer
delayed our armies would have helped to win
it, Senor Romero knows what the effect OF such
Intervention would have been. and may judge
if it is merely diplomatic boast that we
would have helped Mexico, made after help
ceased to be desired. He has freely admitted
that our sympathy with the Republic contributed,
in great measure, to its triumph. when he
returns to Mexico he may safely tell his co'in-
trymen that the United States would not per-
nit second invasion; that we rejoice In thef
independence, and that all our sympathles are
with their efforts TO establish prosperity, ana
peace, and freedom He may tell them that
among all the nations of the earth Mexico has
no friend more true, more strong, than the
United States, and none that Is ready to go as
far to make its friendship effective. But there
is one thing which he cannot tell them He
cannot say that the sober verdict of our peo-
pie sustains the execution of Maximlian.
We do not desire TO reopen the argument
upon that question. Sonor Romero has re-
viewed in his speech the usurpation of Maxi
milan and without the slightest trace OF ILL
temper has shown its wantomness and wicked
ness. We are willing to admit all that mag be
said upon that subject, but it must he observed
that Senor Romero himself admits that Maxi
milan was not the author, but was only the
instrument Of the crime. The official repre-
sentative of Mexico declares that Maximilian
was on the point of leaving Mexico forever;
that he remained there for the avowed purpose
of placing the failure of the invasion upon the
French Government; that it was his intention
to have tested the pretenses of his friends that
the majority of the Mcxicans desired him to
remain, by submitting to the vote of the peo-
plc the question of q republic or an empire.
If these are facts, as the Mexican Minister
affirms them to he, then Macmillan was
indeed more weak tnan Wlchcu' ne
was what Senor Romero pron0unces HIM
an automaton. He was equally with
Mexico the victim of the ambition of NapO-
leon But do the Mexican people pride them
selves upon destroying automatons because
they cannot reach the power that movesf Did
they shoot the dupe Maximilian to revenge
themselves on his betrayerf We cannot see
the courage of this act, and certainly perceive
its want of magnanimity. And we abso-
lntely deny that the safety of Mexico re-
ouired such a sacrifice. The French had
retired in disgrace; the invaders were every
where defeated; Mexico had sufficient guaran
tees that the United States would make another
intervention impossible. 1t was in the moment
of her perfect victory, with the national honor
yindicated her independence established, and
the future doubly secured against European
interference, that she reveDged the wrongs
she had endured--not upon the hand that
dealt them, but upon the tool it used.
Senor Romero has elOquently described
the ncapacty of Macmillan to comprehend
the situation, and his utter helpessness long
before his capture, and the demonstration of
the strength of Mexico is anything but justi
fcatiOn of its policy. Had the nation been
weak, it might perhaps have executed this poor
prisoner as q menace had it held its real
enemy in its power it might justly have pun
ished him. but it was strong enough to be hu
name, and should have been too proud to put
an automaton to death as a satisfaction to its
wounded honor
The abstract right which the Mexican Re-
public undoubtedly possessed to shoot Maxi
mot ha pfnu p1aIu ia wis
or necessity of asserting it. Governments have
the legal power to do many things which civ
ilized nations condemn. The execution of
captives is among them and, while we give
respectful consideration to the plea which SenOr
Romero has made, we cannot think that
the Judgment of the Nineteenth Century
will accept it. In shooting Maxmilian
Mexico opposed herself to the spirit of modern
civilization. The Fijian kings, when they build
q palace, slay certain number of their sub
jects, and bury them in the foundations, that
the palace may stand forever. But the Republic
of Mexico did not need corpse for its corner
stone, or the sacrifice of blood to make holy
it's portals. The act, however, is not to be re-
voked, and it would be wise not to attempt its
defense. We prefer to turn from the past TO
the future, and to look with hope to the en-
lightened and liberal policy to which Senior
Romero last night pledged his people. Had
that policy been firmly established
ten years ago, no foreign power
would have dared to invade Mexico, nor
would she need the apology which her states
men offer in vain. We ask no more than to
fol let her mistake in her glory. There is no
American patriotism which is not also sympa-
thy with our sister Republic. The Mexican