[From the Opinion Nationale.], October 13, 1866.

[From the Opinion Nationale.]

We read in the Pays as follows:

“The mental condition of the empress Charlotte is unfortunately very serious. The unexpected attack has so much increased the difficulties of the situation, that it is doubtful if the emperor Maximilian will continue his thankless task. We do not want the public to be deceived by the despatch we published yesterday. The French government is deeply interested in Maximilian’s return from Mexico, and General Castelnau is the bearer of definite instructions, though we cannot say precisely what they are. But one thing is certain—Napoleon will never consent, at any price, to give up Mexico without securing French interests.

“PAUL DE CASSAGNAC.”

These lines give a special character to the paper publishing them, and to which we must call attention. The Pays, after publishing the despatch, says we must not be deceived by it, and assures us the French government is much interested in Maximilian’s return; hence we conclude the empire, founded and maintained by our soldiers, is lost.

We are much pleased with this declaration of the Pays, if it be true, that the French government has decided to give up an enterprise that has cost us so much blood and money, and which should never have been undertaken. Our intervention has lasted long enough. We have injured our finances and unfurled our flag in distant regions, risking a war with the United States, already too long, while events at our very doors called our strict attention. France is certainly opulent and powerful; but while so many changes are taking place in Europe, it is her duty to attend to interests at home.

The regeneration of Mexico, by our arms, or by the efforts of Maximilian, is an impossibility, and we should have known it on the day that Spain and England gave up the expedition to us. It is never too late to do good; and the day that our soldiers quit that unlucky land will be a thrice happy day, even if it be the dying day of the Mexican empire.

When the Pays says that the Emperor Napoleon will not give up Mexico “till our interests are assured,” we readily believe it; but it is easier to write this than to effect it. What does the Pays mean? What will the Emperor do? If the Pays knew, it should have told us. It seems to us that extreme means have already been used by the Emperor, for many years, by an armed and expensive occupation of a vast country without arresting the civil war for a single day or gaining anything but an increase of a debt against a government that is already insolvent.