The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-24

NO. XXI.

NO. XXI
Written for the indianapolis Journal-Copyrighted
THE FRENCH IN MEXICO.
Grant always regarded the French occupation
Of Mexico and the establishment of the empire of
Macmillan as part of tie attempt to subvert
our own Republic, and his indignation at the
course of Napoleon III on this continent was
both active and outspoken, even during the war
Ioften heard him declare at City Point that as soon
as we had disposed Of the confederates we must
begin with the imperialsts; and when the Rebel
lion was actually crushed, it became his first OBJ
feet to insure the expulsion of the French from
The neighboring country On the first day of the
Erand review at Washington, in 1865, he hurried
Sheridan off to Texas, not leaving him time TO
witness the conclusion OF the pageant, and gave
him secret orders to watch the course of events
On the Rio Grande.
Grant, indeed, at this time hoped that johnson
soui9 be induced to issue peremptory demand
for TIE withdrawal of the French and in case of
noncompliance at once offer armed assistance to
The republicans. With this hope he moved a
large body of troops to the frontier and Sheri-
IAN understood that he was not to be over
cautious about provoking the imperial forces on
the other side.
But the government of johnson did not share
Grants views. 1t is probable that the Presi
dent himself might have been brought to concur
IN them. but Seward was entirely opposed TO the
course that Grant recommended. It was the
difference between the soldier and the diploma
list Grant was for prompt action, peremptory
demands menaces, and, if necessary war,
though he did not believe that war would be
necessary: Seward hoped to accomplish the
same object by waiting for events, by skillful
management, by diplomatic notes and protocols.
Besides this, Seward may have thought the
province his own, that he was entitled to bring
about the result in his own way and achieve the
triumph that belonged to bis own department.
AT any rate he did his best to thwart the plan
proposed by Grant, and as he was in the
Cabinet and, besides, in harmony with the Presi-
dents domestic policy, he won the day. His
views finally controlled the action of the gov
ernment. It was some little while. however,
before the contest was decided, and when
Grant first found the influence of the Secretary
hostile, he was not at all discouraged, although
dispieased Since he could not have the assist
ance of Seward, he resorted to means of his
own devising. For he was very much in earn
est, and believed that dilatory diplomacy might
result in the establishment of an empire in
Mexico
Three months after the close of the war he
sent General Schofeld, in whose ability and dis
sretion he had great confidence, on peculiar err
rand Schofeld was nominay ordered to make
an inspection of the troops on the Bio Grande,
but he was furnished with leave of absence
with permission to visit Mexico. This had
been granted with the concurrence of the Presi-
dent. who had full knowledge of the object in
view.
At the same time Grant wrote to Sheridan
chat there must be a large amount of captured
ordnance in his command, as we'll as similar arti
sles left there by discharged Union soldiers Sher-
dan was directed to send none of these ARTICLES"
20 The North. Rather place them,n said Grant,
convenient to be permitted te go into Mexico if
they can be got into the hands of the defenders
OF the only government we recognize in that coun-
try" He continued
II hope General Scnofeld may go with orders
TO receive these articles but if he does not
know 1t will meet with general approval to let
him have them, If contrary orders are not re-
ceived. 1t is q fixed determination on the
part of the people of the United States and /
think myself safe in saying On the part
Of the President also, that an empire shall
not be established on this continent by the
aid OF foreign bayonets. war the part of
the United States is to be avoided, if possible
but 1t will be better to GO to war now. when but
little aid given to the Mexicans will settle the
question. than to have in prospect greater war
sure to come. IL delayed until the empire is es
tablished. We want, then, to aid the Mexcans
without giving cause Of war between the United
States and France Between the would be en-
pire of Macmillan and the United States all
difficulty can easily be settled by observing the
same sort Of neutrality that has been observed
toward us for the last four years This is a
little indefinite as letter of instructions to be
governed by. hope, with this, you may receive
these instructions in mere positive terms. With
knowlege OF the facts before you, however
that the greatest desire Is felt to see the Liberal
government restored in Mexico and no doubt
exists of the strict justice of our right to demand
this. and enforce the demand with the whole
strength of the United States and your own
judgment gives you basis of action that will
aid you. l will recommend, in few days, that
you be directed to discharge all the mon you
think can be spared from the department of
Texas. where they are, giving transportation to
their homes to all who desire to return You
ARE AWARE THAT EXISTING ORDERS PERMIT DIS
CHARGED SOLDIERS TO RETAIN THEIR ARMS AND
ACcoUTREMENTS AT Low RATES, FIXED IN
ORDERS"
This letter was delivered to Schoheld to carry
to Sheridan. 1t was on the Goth of July, 1865,
that Grant wrote: cit is the fixed determine
ton of the people of the United States that an
empire shall not be established on this continent
by the aid of foreign bayonets;" and ON the 9th
of September following Mr.. Seward wrote to Mr.
Bigelow, our minister to France 1--WE do not
insist or claim that Mexico and the other States
on the American continent shall adopt the polit-
ical institutions to which we are so earnestly
attached but we do hold that the people of those
countries are to exercise the freedom of choos-
ing and establishing institutions like our own, if
they are preferred" The difference in tone and
language between the soldier and the statesman
was indicative Of the difference in the means
they desired 10 employ to accomplish, neverthe
less the same end