The end of the Mexican business., October 11, 1866
The end of the Mexican business.
Of all affairs occupying the public at present we may truly say that none hangs so heavily on the mind as the prospective and much desired end of the Mexican expedition.
We do not intend to go over an affair we have so often discussed, but we have a fact to state: our flag is about to quit the shores of Mexico. Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, in his despatch of the 6th of April last, closing his long correspondence with the United States, used these formal words:
“The Emperor has decided that the French troops shall quit Mexico in three detachments. The first is to leave in November, 1866; the second, in March. 1807: and the third, in November of that same year. You will please inform the Secretary of State officially of that decision.”
If this is not exactly a formal promise to the government of the United States, it is at least an official notice of a disposition to accede to the wishes of that government, and puts an end to a long correspondence on the important subject. We are assured that the evacuation will begin next month. But, rumor says, since that despatch, the French government is convinced that withdrawing the army in parcels will leave the rest unprotected, and there is hope that the whole army will return in November.
What will take place in Mexico after the army leaves? It Maximilian is as firmly fixed as he says, he will have to depend entirely on “the good disposition that everywhere prevails,” and go on with his hard work of founding an empire.
If, on the other hand, his government cannot get on without our aid, he will return to Europe with our army. At all events, he has played his part in Mexico; our fear of a war with the United States is over, and we shall spend no more money for Mexico. We will then attend to our own business at home, and watch affairs in Europe. That will be quite enough to keep us busy, and our people’s minds will be relieved from a great weight.
But the relief would be greater if the government would say if it intends to secure two points of exceeding interest to Frenchmen, viz., will it protect our countrymen in Mexico, and will it pay the Mexican loan debts? We don’t know how we can protect our friends in Mexico after our army has left. That depends on circumstances; but we hope the government will do its best to shield them amidst the anarchy that will prevail when our troops are gone.
As to indemnification to the bondholders, that is easy. It is generally believed the government will pay them. Most of the loan went into the treasury, and of course the government will repay what it took from the people. We cannot say for certain what the government will do; but it must do something, and that promptly. Quod facis fac citius! must be the motto, for two reasons; one is, all delay in financial matters causes loss. If there is delay, the purchasers at a low rate will be gainers; the other is, to bury the Mexican expedition as soon as possible in oblivion, and have its funeral preached to calm the world.