Year: 1863

Our Texas Exprdition-NapoieOn ana tho


Rebels Che ckmated.


We published yesterday exclusive informa-
tion from the expedition OF General Banks In
Texas. II is evident from the details furnished
by our special correspondent that our move
ments on the Rio Grande have taken the French
by surprise. and that their plans, involving the
loss to us Of the State of Texas, have been
foiied. II is necessary now to reinforce the
army under command of General Banks, 80
that the great advantages to result from his
expedition may be rendered permanent. These
benefits are most important. First, we prevent
the French from obtaining possession of the
Rio Grande and Texas; then-and very injuri-
GUS will this be to the rebels-we arrest at
once the blockade running and contraband
trade which the English we're having with the
South through this opening. There is now left
to the South but one port-Wilmingt gton-and
that is far from safe or certain entry for the
blockade runners, as we now capture almost
every one which endeavors to run the guantlet
of our ships-of-war. These results prove how
opportune was the movement Of General
Banks, and bow important it is that he should
be reinforced without delay.


1t is evident that Napoleon bad designs upon
Texas. which State he no doubt wished to erect
as barrier between the confederacy and Mexi-
co, We do not, however, believe that he will
now attach 80 much Importance to this plan, or
that be will allow his officers in Mexico to run the
risk of any collision with our arms on the Rio
Grande. Plans recently adopted by the French
Emperor render 1t imperative upon him to re-
main on good terms with our government. We
refer to the great war he will undertake
against Russia in the spring. To accomplish
this he must be freed from the complications of
the Italian and Mexican questions; and we feel
assured that be will withdraw from this conti-
nent the moment Macmillan has assumed the
Mexican throne. We are simplifying the mat
ter for him each day. Every fresh movement
made now in the South will prove the fallacy
of his plans there, and will demonstrate the
necessity Of a retreat from an untenable posi-
ton.


1t is an easy transition from the dilemma of
Napoleon in Mexico to the difficulties of his
pOotttOu ~ uVWOs 0OAAC sbAty Va sAO AS"AAh6
intellects in France-such as Theirs, Jules
Favre, Barrot, Picard, and others of like abili-
ty-have determined to pull down the empire;
and French history is filed with precedents
which prove their power to do 30. Charles the
Tenth was ruined by the opposition of few of
the leading men of bis kingdom, who SO worked
upon public opinion that he was forced to fly.
Louis Philippe WASH like manner driven from
his throne by movement set on foot by few
able men who were determined to revolution
ize the country. Just so at this period are
some of the brightest intellects of France en-
gagged, and Louis Napoleon is well aware that
In time they are certain to succeed. To defeat
their purpose he has but one means, and that be
is evidently determined upon adopting. That
is to shake all Europe to its foundation by the
prosecution Of q war which shall be popular in
France, and thus give him the absolute power
the opposition would deprive him Of A war
with Russia In favor Of Poland, taking place
upon the withdrawal of France from Rome and
Mexico, would meet the emergency; and this
Napoleon is we'll aware Of Hence there can
be but little doubt that his discourse was
menace of war, and that he will make ready
for the struggle BY retreating from positions
which, II fheld, would disable him from any Sc
rious struggle with Russia. Our eheckmate to
bis Texas plans will render him all the more
eager to abandon Mexico; and herein the Rio
Grande expedition will have proved q double
success 1t strikes both one open and one hid
den foe-the rebels and the French.