ng
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.

From the Emperor's own language, and from this book which he has
permitted to appear, and to which we have alluded, we gather easily the
real motives which have governed his conduct. No doubt, the mere _eclat_
of having conducted to a successful issue a difficult undertaking, and
by which he would secure anew the respect and pride of the fickle people
over whom he reigns, may have been a minor motive. It is not unlikely,
either, that he has gone much farther than he himself originally
intended,--that the prize was so tempting, when once he had coquetted
with it, that he could not keep his hands off from it. For look again at
Mexico. A country full of noble possibilities. A land which, ruled by a
strong hand and a sagacious mind, may be the fruitful source of all
useful commodities. And if he can keep it, what a giant stride he makes
to girdling the earth with his posts! Count them: France, Martinique,
Vera Cruz, Acapulco, Tahiti, Saigon, his new ports at the mouth of the
Red Sea, Algiers, and France again. Not many links wanting in that
chain! If he cannot girdle the earth in