The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-19

Minneapolis Tribune
This painful experience may be the maxi
ing OF the Venezuelan republic after all
The French invasion was the king of
Mexico. 1t reused national spirit. united
the people, discouraged revolution ard laid
the foundation OF the steady progress the
republic has been making for a generation
In political stability and industrial pros
perity. A new nation was born under
Juarez, out OF the courage and sacrifice OF
that war for independence. Ii has marched
under Diaz to the second rank of American
powers. The United States saved Mexico
in the crisis of its existence IL will not
fail any other American republic as
worthy of aid
Let recall that Mexican episode A
bastard adventurer had snatched the
throne of France over night like chicken
thief. He thought il would be fine thing
TO set up another empire in Mexico This
country was engaged in the civil war.
which European potentates fondly thought
its death struggle. Mexico owed enormous
sums TO subjects of France and England.
Louis Napoleon persuaded the thick
headed English TO join him in naval
demonstration, precisely like that now
making an Venezuela.
The English sent only ships but the
French Emperor sent troops few at first,
then more and more. The English saw
what he would be at. and dropped him like
a hot potato. BY now our war was at its
height, and Louis thought he had a free
hand. He got a heroic fool. Macmillan.
of Austria, to play at being emperor OF
Mexico and sustained him with French
troops. The patriots. driven from capital
and ports, maintained guerilla war in the
mountains.
A few years later our civil war ended.
The most powerful army and navy in the
world were ready for business. Phil Sherf-
dan casually marched an army corps to
the Rio Grande. and began sending arms
and munitions to the patriots by whole
sale. Mr.. Seward sent polite note TO
Paris and Louis Napoleon slinked out OF
Mexico. Two months after, Macmillan
was shot like a brigand taken red-handed.
Three years later, Louis Napoleon COM
pleted his evil destiny at Sedan. Then the
new birth OF Mexico began, though IL was
ten years before the world realized how
the nation had been purihed by fire.
The first part Of this history Will not re-
peat itself We have no civil war now.
The imperial brother of our good friend.
Prince Henry, is bastard Adventures.
Besides one lesson is enough. But the bet
ter part of it may well repeat itself in q
new birth for Venezuela, after this crisis
in her existence. There are signs already
of such national spirit as has been seen IN
no South American country since the war
OF independence. The revolution seems TO
be. forgotten. All parties are rallying TO
defense of the republic. The most remark
able thing is that English and German
citizens join In the patriotic movement A
stranger thing is that Castro's enemies
curse him for bringing on the crisis, and
support him in it, in the same breath.
Nothing good is to be said for Castro. He
Is thief and bandit. He is suspected OF
stealing the proceeds OF foreign loans and
depositing them in Paris TO support his ex-
lie, like Blanco But he happens TO be the
head of the nation in a crisis, and IL all
gathers around him. He may be purified
| like the people. Juarez was only a partisan
chief like the rest when the French invaded
Mexico. He came out OF that crisis the
| savior and hope of the nation. Or Castro
| may be swept aside by the tide of national
| feeling and worthier chief chosen. The
| TO be sobered and elevated by the trial
| and to begin a new career of comparative
honesty and stability.
This will be a great thing for the United
| States. A hotbed of revolution so near the
| isthmian canal would be a continual mem
| its best to aid the nation in its struggle up
ward. What Mr.. Seward did by threatens
| ing war Mr.. Hay is doing by peaceful diplo-
macy. Without defending Castro in his ue-
| fiance of international obligations, We are
| quietly sustaining him In defense of inde-
| the American minister and Is learning wis
| dom i'm a friendly school.
We have restrained him in every reckless
| move and induced him to take a higher
| tone towards his enemies. The release or
| British and German prisoners, the cour-
| the public warning to his people to respect
| noncombatans, are the fruit of American
counsel. While the American flag protects
| English and German individuals, the Amer
| lean navy in the Caribbean protects Nene-
| zuelan independence. We are likely 10 be
4 Venezuela, as we have been remembered for
| thirty-fiye years in Mexico.