The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-21
DIPLOMATS Mismanagement.


Mr.. Stewards action in recalling Minister
Campbell, who represents the Mexican inte.
rests of the United States in New Orleans, is,
to use a homely proverb, like closing the
stable-door after the horse has fled. It is now
many months since Mr.. Campbell was sent to
the Juarez Government, and yet, during these
months, he has not been within weeks jour
ney of Juarez. We presume, or rather we are
bound to presume, that when he was appointed
and given an outfit, his instructions were to go
to Mexico. His mission was ostentatiously
begun. He embarked on an American vessel.
General Sherman accompanied him, and there
were many protestatiOns as to what our Gov
ernment would do with France and Austria.
For at least forty-eight hours we were
threatened with ''vigorous" foreign policy.
We remember that we feared, at the time,
that it was nothing more than show
an attempt to make capital abroad
for what had been lost at home. So it
proved. Sherman returned and went out
West after the Indians. Campbell proceeded
to New Orleans. The agents of Juarez came
to the frontier to meet him. We know by
the sarcastic letter of the Mexican Minister
that the Republican Government was anxious
to receive HIM. 1t is folly to suppose that
he could not reach Juarez. We found no
difficulty in sending a correspondent to the
Juarez headquarters-nOr those of Maxi
milan; and what may be done in the way of
business may certainly be done by great
Government
We have lost sadly by the absence of
Minister from the seat of the Juarez Govern.
ment. We have never had such an oppor-
tunity to make our influence felt in the coun-
ellis of a sister Republic. We entirely sympa-
thized with Mexico, and especially when we
ha 1lu
making common cause with the South by
planting a standing army on the borders of the
COnfederacy. Mexico was our danger in more
ways than one; and when we triumphed, the
national sentiment was clamorous that the
foreign army should be driven from Mexican
soil. That sentiment, more than any agency
outside of the Liberal army, was instrumental
in the overthrow OF the empire. We fear that
with this overthrow the Juarez Government
has committed mistakes which tarnish the
glory of its persistent and gallant struggle.
Already we hear Of execution succeeding exc
cution. Men identified with the history of
Mexico are shot daily, and it is very possible
similar fate has befallen Maximilian. If these
men had been taken in open war-if they had
been overpowered and compelled to surrender
we might see some reason for this absolute
cruelty. But when we remember that the
triumph was that of treachery that Maxi
milan was purchased from a traitor, we can
shown by Juarez, and nothing but barbarism
in the popular demand for blood which now
prevails in Mexico. We say this as an earnest
fliend of republicanism in Mexico, and as
well-wisher of tho Juarez Government.
Much of this might have been prevented
had the United States sent a resolute, saga
cious Minister to Mexico. His counsel would
have been felt in the Juarez Cabinet. His
appeals for moderation would have been heard
with attention, and respected. He would have
protected American interests, and advanced
them. We have never had such an opportu-
nifty to mould the Mexican nation, to induce
magDanimity and liberality in its statesman
ship, to aid in the work of reconstruction.
Why was this opportunity lost We ask the
Secretary of State Why was Mr.. Campbell
not ordered peremptorily to Mexico months
aeoH If he was ordered, why was he not re-
moved for disobedience Could the Secretary
find nobody to enter Mexico Even at the BEST
Mr.. Campbell was among the last men that
should have been selected for this mission.
! The only claim he could possibly have on the
! Administration was that he was a renegade
! Republican. And yet at time when America
demanded wisdom and craftsmanship in q
sorely oppressed nation, her Minister, who was
not statesman but mere sixpenny politi-
clan, was idling around New Orleans. Now,
| when 1t is too late, we find the Secretary tele-
! graphing over the country to find some one to
! go to Mexico without unnecessary delay"
But why has there been unnecessary delayY''
We desire to know more. Why has Mr., Seward
not been able to send a statesman to San Luis
! POtosi