The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-07-19
NAPOLEON AND MAMMALIAN.
A Vindication of the French Emperor
by the Chevalier Wykoff.
) the Editor ofthe Neso Tor7; Times !.

VI Ing OAGtdAAOA " AOAs
To the Editor ofthe Neso York Times.
SIR-In your leading article of Tuesday,
commenting on the tragic fate of the Arch
duke Macmillan, you 'statsthat she was
betrayed into the adventure by the Empe-
ror OF France, who afterward deserted him.
The adherence you express SO forcibly at
the brutal execution OF this ll-starred
Prince will find an echo in Gerry heart, but
your manly pity for the dead does not vim
fdicate an injustice to the living. am well
enough acquainted with the history OF Max
imilian's advent in Mexico to justify me In
saying you do wrong to HIS French Ma
jesty, in making him responsible for the ac-
| ceptance of the Mexican crown by the I'M
fortunate Archduke IF the secrets of the
late Invasion Of Mexico are ever diyulged II
will be found that the Emperor Napoleon is
tar more .'sinned against than SHINING. ;.
England and Spain were the first to solicit
France to unite with them in an expedition
| to enforce the payment OF their joint claims
against the Mexican Republic. Our Gov.
eminent was also invited. France accepted
bat the United States, happily, declined. :
| What was the result? The Allies had moi
half accomplished their task when England
and Spain, under diplomatic pretext
withdrew, and left Napoleon the alternative
Ct carrying out the original plan alone, OF
OF following their pusillanimons example
When the French army occupied the Next
can Capital the most earnest efforts were
made by the wealthy and influential of thai
distracted land to Induce Napoleon to es
tablish Plotectorate, or to set up new
| government with some foreign Prince at ths
| ha Il IL 4.,ot
Among the candidates for this luckles
post was Maximilian, and his .pretention
were sustained by his father-in-hw, Leo
poldi, late King of Belgium. There is n,
doust that the unhappy Carlotta was cage
to occupy the Mexican throne and her hus
band and father were enlisted in the caus
mo more by her solicitation than by ambition
The French Emperor refrained from inter
ference, aud the notables of Mexico elected
Maxinliliau their Imperial Chief. The proc
the choice, is the fact that Macmillan al
ways boosted that he owed his position t
the Mexicans, and not to the French; an
for this reason he unwlsely turned dea
ear to the sage counsels of his French Ma
Jesty. During the whole of his career tn
meanest Mexican, the siliest Belgian, o
the vainest Austrian, had more infuenc
with Macmillan than the Marshal or Min
lister of France. Whatever the merits o
graces of the lamented Maximiiian, and h
had many, it is certain that political ski
he had none. Yet strange to say, he al
ways heartily desired the Withdrawal of tn
French Army, that he might prove to tn
world both bis popularity il Mexico and hi
genius for government. His familla
phrase, When we get rid of the French,
can hardly be forgotten.
When the sagacious ruler of France say
that Macmillan was a prey to ignoble infiu
enqe, and that while no good could be don
in Mexico, he was endangering his friendl
relations with the United States, he cour
ageously decided to withdraw his army an,
abandoned his laudabe efforts to open Mex
leo to the commerce of the world Ever,
form of persuasion was exhausted to Undue
the doomed Macmillan to throw away hi
mock sceptre and return to his stricken
wife and cherries palace at Miramar bu
IN vain. The chief ground of his refusa
was truly heroic and will embalm his mem
Org tie stayed, and he struggled to saw
from the vengeance of "a barbarous Govern
ment the handful of men who had bravel.
chung to his desperate fortunes This &C
hQnors the Prince and ennObles the man -
Alas, that so much courage and devotion
should only whet the fury Of his merciless
assassins. 3, s .t-
Macmillan has been wantonly murdered
the sentiments of this human age hav,
been cruelty lacerated, and an outrage ha
been committed against the United State
that calls for punishment The people o
this country gave all their sympathy to tn,
so-called Republican faction, and the re
monstrances of our Government have re
stored it to power, and the only guerdol
we asked was mercy for Macmillan, who's,
misfotunes had condoned bis errors. Hi
death is not merely an act Of inhumanity
but Of ingratitude 1t is not only crime
but an insult Indiscriminate butchery
may be harmless sport in their eyes, bu
the people of these States brock neithe
insolence nor injury from the Great Power
Of the earth Will they accept it from TIT
refuse of mankind ~.
IF my recital Of facts, Mr. Editor, b.
correct, you will admit that the Empero
of France is not amenable at the bar o
public opinion for the ambition that LEI
| Maximilian to Mexico, or the fatality tina
made 1t his grave. Very truly yours,
July 8, 1861. HENRY WIKoFF.
! A Young and handsome married voma,