The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-06

that the result of its labors might now be be-
fore the people. Let what Is 10 be done be
done at once, that the people may deliberate
properly on the new constitution and be ready
to vote intelligently for or against 1t in the
fall election.
Tho Murder Of Maximillan a Crime and \
Political BiuDder.
Some two days ago we indicated the feeling
which the intelligence OF Maximilian's death
was certain to create in Europe. Our cable
news has since confirmed the accuracy Of our
predictions. The French and Austrian Courts
have gone into mourning, and Great Britain
has postponed the review which was 10 be
held in Hyde Park, and which was intended
to be the great sensation of the season.
Everywhere, 80 far as we know the facts, In
telllgence of the fate of the unfortunate Prince
has awakened mingled feelings Of grief and
indignation. We do not wonder that such is
the case for after having looked at this
Mexican business in every conceivable light,
and having come to the examination Of the
question in spirit hostile to neither parry,
and disposed to be just in our judgment to
both, we can arrive at no other conclusion
than that the execution Of Macmillan was a
crime and great political blunder.
In arriving at this conclusion we have not
been forgettul that the partsans of the
now dominant party might plead, in justf-
cation Of the course which has been fol-
lowed, the laws and usages Of war. These
latter have, happily or unhappily, never been
associated in our mind with any high moral
truth The fault may have been ours, and not
that of the laws and usages Be this as it
may, the laws and usages Of war have never
significd to our mind either more or less than
this-the right claimed by the victorious and
the strong to do as they would with the van
pushed and the weak. Inasmuch as the victor
has not always been just, and has often been
cruel and even barbarous in the hour of So
called victory, we do not see that The laws and
usages of war at all relieve the barbarity in
this case. If, however, this ground is main
ton, it is to be borne in mind by them and all
others that there are other laws and other
usages than those of war-the laws and usages
of civilized humanity-and that, tried before
this tribunal, the execution OF Macmillan must
ever be denounced as crime and . political
blunder.
If disposed to take other ground against the
right thus claimed it would not be difficult to
show, as indeed has been done in the pages
of the HERALD already, that even to this miser-
able so-called right the party now nominally
in power had not the shadow of . claim. But
for the vilest treachery which ever disgraced
the annals of war Macmillan might now have
been the victor, and Juaree and his confed-
crates entirely at his mercy. The victory was
bought, not won. Macmillan fell into the
hands of his enemies not because he was de-
feated in fair and honorable fight, but because
he was betrayed by another Judas for go many
pieces Of silver Al the hands Of men who
could condescend 10 secure advantage over an
enemy by such vile and dishonorable means
other than barbarous conduct was not to be
expected. In executing the victim thus
obtained Juarez and his party have no doubt
been true to themselves, but they have at the
same time deepened and broadened the con-
viction that the party on whom the salvation
of Mexico is said to depend are entitled to be
spoken of in no higher terms than those of
unprincipled scoundrels, or what, perhaps,
is still nearer the truth, bloodthirsty
barbarians. We have mentioned this treachery,
however, chiefly for the purpose of showing
that to the victor's right they have not the
shadow Of claim. Mexico may yet be restored
to order and civilization. but Mexican annals
must remain permanently stained with the blood
of prince who meant his adopted country good,
and who sought by honorable means to accom-
plish bis end. Blood nov cries for veng ance
on Mexican soil, and Mexicans would have
acted wisely if they had spared themselves
this additional evil.
Leaving all other questions for the present
aside, there is another point of view in which
this execution presents itself, and which well de-
serves the attention Of The Mexican people and
of all who interest themselves in their welfare.
Before the execution they had the sympathy
of The United States. Had they been generous
to the unfortunate Prince, possession of whose
person they 80 disgracefully obtained, they
would have commanded The sympathy and
even respect Of Europe and the world. II was
the one opportunity which for years they had
eDjoyed-perhaps the last which will ever be
afforded them-to prove that they were not the
cutthroa. banditti which the world had, rightly
or wrongly, come to consider them They have
lost their opportunity. and thinking men every.
where are now fully convinced that the worst
which has ever been said Of Mexico is true.