Year: 1862

Mexico and European Intervention.


1t is evident that England is beginning to
see the designs of Spain and France with re-
gard to Mexico, and, as these form no part of
the compact between the three nations, she is
very properly unwilling to countenance them.
The designs in question are in their character
somewhat antagonistic as concerns her Catholic
Majesty and Louis Napoleon. The cherished
object OF Spain is to reconquer the country
and make it q Spanish colony; that of France
is to overthrow the republic and establish in
its place monarchical government, placing
the Archduke Macmillan, Of Austria, on the
throne, in consideration of the latter annexing
Venetia to the new Italian kingdom, in which
event, of course Napoleon would stipulate for
the transfer of the island of Sardinia to France,
make Rome the capital of Italy, by withdraw
ing his troops, and settle matters generally to
Ills own liking. In this way he would be
ministering to the national passion of the
French people for territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT,
and increasing his own popularity at home.
But Louis Napoleon is not the farseeing man
that we credit him to be if he does not recognise
in this programme innumerable dangers not only
in Europe but on this continent, and if these
are not sufficient to deter him from its adoption.
When Spain, planning the conquest of Mexico,
proposed the treaty under which the three Pow
ers are at present acting, Napoleon saw chat he
could make something out of it, and readily as
sented to the proposition. The issue of the war
in the United States might have then appeared
very doubtful to him, and in the event Of di-
vision of this republic he had little to fear from
the United States. But since that time tie as
pect of the struggle has materially changed,
and all doubt as to the ultimate triumph of the
federal arms, and the restoration of the Union
to its former integrity is dispelled by recent
victories and the immense preponderance Of
resources at our command.


Had it not been for the fact that we were
engaged in acontest at home, the European coa-
lition against Mexico would never have been
formed. It was known that for the time being
we were unable to thwart the plans of the Allies,
and under certain contingencies it might be
found very convenient to have large European
squadron near our own shores. Eut although
we are still engaged in that contest, it will not
be long before we sheath our swords in vic
tory; and then, with an army of half a mil
lion of men, we shall be perfectly prepared,
if requisite to take q hand in the Mexican
game. 1t is this knowledge, more than
anything else, that will operate upon the
mind of the Emperor of France, and he will be
unwise, indeed, if. for such a doubtful advan-
tage as that arising from the fact of Macmillan
being King of Mexico, he risks the interruption
of friendly relations with this country; for the
United States will never tolerate Hapsburg
in Mexico, any more than it would allow Mexico
to become colony Of Spain.


It is very possible that the latter Power may
persist in her attempts towards this end, but
vainly; for if the Mexicans fail in defeating her.
they will find friends in the United States, and
we shall have fair pretext for annexing the
island of Cuba; and it is the continued posses
sion Of this colony that furnishes Spain with
trade and means for carrying out the SC heme Of
conquest which she has lately commenced to
put into practice. She began by the conquest
of San Domingo, and if let alone she will try
to conquer all South America. She is making
desperate effort to revive the grandeur of her
former history; but she is doomed to disappoint-
ment. The United States will take care of
Mexico, the Tripartite treaty to the contrary
Notwithstanding; and the elements Of discord
already existing among the Allies themselves
will make this tolerably easy matter.