The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-11-03
MEXICAN REPUBLIC
1t Owes Its Very Existence to the
United States.
A MONROE DOCTRINE VICTORY
At a Time When We Had Troubles Of
Our Own We Said Hands Off" to
the Powers of Europe That Tried to
Raise a Monarchy In America.

our own We Said Hands OIL" to
the Powers of Europe That Tried to
Raise a Monarchy In America.
If 1t had not been for the United
states there would now be no republic
OF Mexico.
Like all the twenty republics south
or us, Mexico has been under the pro.
lection Of the Monroe doctrine. The
doctrine has been often questioned by
European powers, but only once has n
serious attempt been made to violate
IL. This was between 1861 and 1865.
when the United States was engaged
In intcrnccine warfare that imperiled
It's very existence. Just as soon as our
war broke out the warships of Eng
land. France and Spain set sail for
Mexico ana took possession of Vera
Cruz. Secretary Seward notified the
three allied powers OF our deep concern
and anxiety for the security and vel
fare of the Mexican republic and that
our fleet would be stationed in the gulf
OF Mexico to look after our interests.
England and Spain soon withdrew
but it became evident that Napoleon
III. intended to overthrow the republic
or Mexico as he had the republic of
france A fictitious empire was forced
upon Mexico by French troops, and an
Austrian archduke, Macmillan, was
selected as the puppet sovereign. The
French invasion was directed against
all the republics Of the new world. 1t
was prophesied In Paris that in ten
years every South American republic
would be converted into a monarchy
and the United States into q dictator
ship.
The hands OF the American govern
ment were tied, but the voice Of the
American people could not be Silenced.
In the midst of our own war, when
war with England seemed imminent,
the house of representatives risked a
war with France by passing a vote of
100 to nothing that 1T does not accord
with the policy of the United States
to acknowledge any monarchical gov
ernment erected upon the ruins Of any
republican government in America un-
DER the auspices Of any European
power"
Nothing more could be done at the
time, but just as soon as our war was
lie an army of combined Union and
Confederate soldiers who would volun-
teer to march TO the City Of Mexico
and expel the Austrian emperor. He
selected General Schofeld to enlist
troops for service on the republican
side of Mexico. The war department
gave General schofield ieaye Of alb
sence for year. with permission to 20
beyond the limits Of the United States
and to take with him any of his staff
officers that he wanted. In the mean
time Grant sent Sheridan to the Rio
Grande with 10000 troops, which were
distributed along the frontier, where
they threatened the French lines.
But fortunately force was not neces.
sary. The show OF force was sufficient
and Schofield was sent to Paris TO ne.
gotiate for the retirement of the
French troops instead Of into Mexico
to drive them out. The secretary of
state nstified Napoleon in November,
1860, that the United States still re.
garded the effort to establish perma
nently foreign and imperial govern
ment in Mexico as diSallOwable and
1mpracticable." AS the emperor of the
French did not seem disposed to pay
any attention to this Mr.. Seward set
a definite date for the withdrawal of
the French troops.
The Mexican republicans under Jua.
rez had been keeping up a brave fight
for freedom, although Maximilian had
ordered all of them shot whenever
caught, without trial or the possibility
OF pardon. As soon as the United
States had compelled the withdra wal
OF the French the republicans were
able TO overcome the imperialiSts with
no official assistance from the United
States. Their victory was marred by
be emperor in spite OF the interposition
Of Secretary Seward.
But the United States had to say
Hands off, TO Austria as well as TO
France. Rather than have an Austrian
archduke ANONYMOUSLY dismounted
from the throne it was planned to ship
10000 Austrian troops from Trieste to
Vera cruz But our minister Mt Wen
ma, Mr. Motley. was told by Secretary
Seward that if Austria allowed a sin
gle soldier To embark for Mexico the
United states would break off rela-
tionS at once. The Austrian govern
pent saw the point and prohibited the
shipment of the troops enlisted for
Mexico New York Independent.