The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 81, July, 1864: A Magazine of Literature, Art, and PoliticsVarious
General
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 81, July, 1864: A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics
Various
American periodicals
Was it not surprising, now, that, with everything so transparent, nobody
had any faith? Almost simultaneously, from Mr. Adams at London, from Mr.
Dayton at Paris, from Mr. Schurtz at Madrid, and from Mr. Corwin at
Mexico, came missives, couched in different language, but all conveying
the same lesson: England meant what she said, and France and Spain did
not. All at once, too, the air was full of rumors. The conservative
party was to be restored by force. A monarchy was to be set up. Prince
Maximilian was to be invited to the throne of Mexico. As before, nobody
could trace these rumors to any trustworthy source. But everybody
believed them. And every one of them has proved to be true. About this
time there appeared in Paris a striking book, part history, part
philosophy, part prophecy, entitled, "Mexico, Ancient and Modern," by
Michel Chevalier. What is peculiar about the book, so far as it relates
to present affairs, is, that it says but little in regard to the
collection of dues, much concerning the necessity of reorganizing
Mexico, much as to the duty of France to uphold the interests of the
Latin races, much more concerning the wisdom of establishing a strong
barrier against the ambition of the United States.
We all know what has actually happened, and that is perhaps all we have
a right to expect while the present Emperor of France is at the helm.
Events have explained these dim rumors and intimations. Vera Cruz and
Tampico taken, France unfolded new and bolder schemes. She insisted upon
marching inland and conquering Mexico, and establishing there a strong
government. Here England and Spain parted from her: the former,
evidently because she always meant what she said; the latter, either
because she, too, meant what she said, or because she found herself
measured with a more acute gamester, with a heavier hand and a sharper
sword than she could boast. France has gone forward. She has stormed
Puebla. The gates of Mexico have been thrown open to her. Her authority
has been extended over many of the States. With the assistance of the
reactionary party she has established a monarchy, and invited Maximilian
to be its head. Never results so exceeded the plan. Whatever else may be
dark, this is clear, that henceforth under the Empire promises mean
nothing,--and that whoever trusts Imperial assurances which war with
Imperial interests does so at his own proper peril.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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