Intervention in Mexico.
The probable intention of the
European allies to place a king over
Mexico is now exciting much attention in the
Northern newspapers, some of which go so far as to make the assertion that ‘"a vest coalition of the States of our continent will be formed to overthrow the aggressors;"’ and the leading journal lasts, who evidently fear
European supremacy in
America, are not slow to denounce the idea, Earl Russell's recent declaration that ‘" If the
Mexican people, by a spontaneous movement, place the
Austrian Archduke on the throne, there is nothing in the
Convention to prevent it"’ has added fuel to the flame.
As part of the history of this interesting episode, we copy the annexed letter of the
Paris correspondent (Feb. 14) of the London Times.
The question of a candidate for the throne of
Mexico has been before the world for some weeks, at home as well as abroad.
It has been more than insinuated that
Austria might be induced to listen to proposals for the renunciation of her rights on
Venetian on condition of one of her Archdukes being called to that throne.
This has been denied with more or less acrimony by the official, or sets official, Press of
Vienna.
The
French, Monitur seems to have carefully avoided it; and the semt official journal have spoken of it approvingly.
The monarchical papers see in their stablishment of a constitutional sovereign on the throne of Moutenoma the future prosperity of the country, while the so-called Democrat press into riddle the nation of a monarch form of government among these happy Republics.
The subject is still well in mystery, Each of the three Powers that has wrongs to redress declared that it will not turn them to its own advantage
beyond satisfaction for those wrong and security that its subjects shall not a gain to the rage of the brigands who under the name of the
Government, have successively infringed and murdered all alike.
The question still remains to the solved how can such security be obtruded with a form of government like that which has brought that vast to its present past Public rum of attributes to Spain Adelice to place some one offer many Infantas at the head of the old dependency which she once so badly mismanaged.
But of all other people the Spaniards are said to be the most detested Prince Napoleon name has not, I believe, been mentioned as a candidate; but the
Prince is too consistent Democrat to consent ever to wear a grown
Belgium has few wrongs to redress, but a can of King Leopold has been spoken of Some who know the impetuous temper and constitutions courage of
Prim, the commander, of the
Spanish expeditionary force, would not be surprised if the victories which his partisan friends are sure of his gaining may inspires him with more ambitions hopes than any he has hitherto manifested; and he has probably not forgotten the example of Hurbide who began by defending the
Spanish monarchy, but who soon set up for himself.
The
pronunciamento of Hurbide was, I believe, the only attempt to found an independent monarchical rule in
Mexico.
Hurbide was of Basque origin, though born in
Mexico.
He acquired some reputation as an officer during the war of independence, and was for some time an ardent defender of the
Spanish Crown against its enemies.
The Viceroy appointed him, when only
Colonel, to the command of a division of the army which by was training to crush the patriots.
In spite of all his loyalty to Ferdinand VIl., Intrude should not but be struck with the deep antipathy which the rule of the old country inspired in the Mexicans, and the determination never to return to it He had been accused of malpractice, in 1816, and, though acquilities, by order of the Viceroy, resigned his commission.
When next he appeared on the scene it was at the head of the independence, or tirebels." He took the field against his old friend, the Viceroy, and, after repeated successes against the Royalists, proclaimed a plan of Government for the country, which was known as the ‘"programme or iguala," ’ from the little town in which he had established his hosdodarters. The Viceroy was dismissed by the home Government, and a new one () was sent out to take his place, and of course to crush the rebels.
Donoghue landen at
Vera Cruz, and, to his great surprise, received a visit from Hurbide — not however, with hostile intent, but as a negotiatory.
He so clearly proved to O'Donoghue, the great advantages the country would derive from his adjuring to the ‘"programme of iguala,"’ that he accepted it in the name of his Sovereign.
The ‘"programme of iguala"’ admitted the principle of hereditary constitutional monarchy, the
Chief of the
State to have the title of
Emperor.
The imperial crown was to be offered to Ferdinand of
Spain on Ferdinand's refusal to proceed to
Mexico and assume the
Imperial dignity, to his brother.
Don Carlos; on his refusal, to Don
Francisco de Paula, father of the present King Consort and in the last instance it was to be offered to the
Archduke Charles, the well known adversary of the first
Napoleon.
There is a precedent, then, for offering the crown to an
Austrian Prince.
In case all these refused, the
Sovereign was to be elected by the
Mexican Cortes.
Ferdinand of
Spain declined the honor for himself and his brother; he had then no children.
In spite of these successive refusal
Iturbide remained faithful to his monarchical principles, and to the election of an independent sovereign, and he gave the world a proof of his sincerity by proclaiming himself
Emperor of
Mexico by the style and title of
Augustin the First.
But his reign was brief, it lasted only a few months, was overthrown, and he fled the country.
He took refuge in
Italy for a space, and lastly in
England.
In 1824 he set out for
Mexico incognito, made an attempt to win back his throne, to which the military and doubtless popular suffrage had raised him. He was disappointed.
He was arrested on landing by his former partisans, and was shot with out pity and without loss of time at a place called
San Antonio no Padilia.
The first attempt to throw off the
Spanish yoke took place in 1840 under Hidalgo; the second in 1816, under
Morales; the third in 1816, under
Xayler Mina, (nephew of
Espony Mina, of the
Spanish war of independence,) who was also shot when taken prisoner; and in 1821, under Hurbide.
In 1824
Mexico established herself a Federal Republic; and how complete independence was attained after the victory over the
Spanish army by the
Mexican patriots in that year — how
Mexico has gone on since--
England,
France, and
Spain know too well.
[From the
London Herald]
The intervention is bringing on already the evils which Earl Russell foresaw, and he resigns himself to the fulfillment of his own prophecies with the best grace in the world.
Thus, when he heard of the capture of Vera.
Cruz, he instructed
Sir John Crampton to read to
Marshal O'Donnell and
M. Calderon Collantes the preamble and the article of the
Convention, ‘" which defines what the intervention is intended to do and what it is not intended to do;" ’ and he regrets the determination of the
French Emperor to send 5,000 more men, but he can make no objection; he can only decide that our 700 marines are not to march on
Mexico.
This is statesmanship indeed.
The Foreign
Secretary expresses in the strongest manner his apprehension that a claim to organize a new Government in
Mexico may be built upon the foundation of debts and injuries.
He describes such an intervention as a scourge to
Mexico — as a hopeless labor for those who make it, yet he takes a ready part in bringing that intervention about.
The fear of Spanish misconduct is ridiculous.
We do not attach too much importance to the professions of
Marshal O'Donnell, but we believe in the insuperable obstacles in the way of Spanish success which Earl Russell has himself pointed out. We do not believe
Spain can conquer
Mexico; but if we did, we should ask for the adoption of a bold, honest policy towards her.
