New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-10
trouble in framing measure to which po'n
Houses can agree.
WINTED-d POLICY.

Mexico begins the work OF reconstruction
with the civilized world arrayed against her'
There is a morbid sentiment that might In
doryso the execution of Macmillan, but with
the exception of The EUening Post the organ
Of Calcraft and Jack Ketch, we see no news
paper supporting the policy which dlrected ms
death. Even in Congress, when mas always
obomn;oned fine cause of Liberalism, it has
tbua far becn impossible to pass resolution
Of congratulation to Mexico over her triumph
Had Macmillan been sent out OF the country,
vvo believe such a resolution would have been
passed unanimously.
Our own part in this disaster, thanks 10 an
imbecile and purposeless policy, mas been
bumiliating. Macmillan was executed In
defiance of the United States. We asked the
moor boon of his life, and it was denied. Santa
Anna. All exile, and taken from an American
shin. il either dead or under sentence OF DEATH
When America took great Rebel from the
deck of an English vessel, we were
compelled to return him almost by the
next mail. The defiance that we dared
not offer to England, Mexico offers us.
! Orr flag was no protection to Santa Anna; 1t
| was even trampled upon by tho Mexican
| soldiers, Now we are told that 1t was MI
| Stewards intercession for the life OF Maximiiah
| that directly caused bis death; that before the
| letter of the Secretary of State was received
| there WAS no intention of executing the
| Emperor: that upon its reception the Liberal
army Indignantly demanded that he should be
| slain. rs il to teach our Government Its I'M
pertinence in interfering. If this be true, the
humiliation is complete.
The United States are pledged to oppose
aggressive wars of European Powers against
American Republics, and for this reason we
are held morally responsible by foreign gov
ernments for something of the conduct OF the
nations we protect. After MIR. Seward pro-
tested against the French occupation of Mexico
and. obcying the national will, demanded the
withdrawal Of French troops, it Is not strange
that Europe expected that our influence Woulu
he used TO restrain Mexico from such
acts "a the killing of prisoners OF
war. or that the United States should
be denounced in the French Assembly as respon-
sible for the death of Macmillan. There is little
doubt that the United States could have saved
the life of the Emperor, for the Mexican Republic
oves IFS very existence TO the sympathy OF the
American people with the Liberals. But for the
attitude of the United States, Napoleon would
| inevitably nave IllloUtu MS WIN ~ ." ~'''''.,
that the Liberals understand this, ana that ii
Mr.. Seward had shown as much energy In
sending United States Minister to Mexico as
he did in recalling one from Austria, they
might have been saved from this error mis-
take it was, for though we appreciate fully all
tho arguments in its favor-the order of October
for the execution of captured Liberals as
brigands, the stern lesson taught foreign
usurpers-yet the young Republic is signally
unfortunate in opposing itself to the spirit OF
all Christian nations. Mexico has gone back
to the days of Carthage and Rome, and
crowned her victory with barbaric laurels.
When We say that our action nigh
have spared her this, we remember Mr. Camp
bell idlng in New-Orleens without orders, the
UnIed States absolutely unrepresented at
the Liberal headquarters, and the subsequent
appointment of an unknown foreigner to posi-
ton which none but an American statesman
should fill This is the pitful policy which re-
suited in the deliberate refusal of the only
boon We asked Mexico to grant-the hives oil
the vanquished. We gave her sympathies
which were stronger in the end than armies
and yet Mr.. Seward can obtain Ton us nothing
in return but trampled flag.