THE FRENCH IN MEXICO. Mexico, November 9.

North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 3, 10 March 1864, Page 3

THE FRENCH IN MEXICO. Mexico, November 9.

An impression seems pievalent in Europe that Mexico has long been divided into two distinct political parties, and that the contest now going on is one of principles. Such an impression is most erroneous. Properly speaking, and in the European acceptance of the Avord, there are no political parties in Mexico. There are two " factions," the one calling itself " Reactionary," the other "Libeial." Each of these factions is composed of a ceitain number of military chiefs, most of them risen ft em the very dregs of the people, followed by a certain number of armed paitisans. These chiefs pretend to no consistency in their political principles ; self-interest alone determines them in the choice of the faction they espouse. There is scarcely one of these chiefs who has not changed sides, or been bought and sold at least half-a-dozen times. Each of these factions has adopted distinctive mottoes— the one " Religion y Fueros," the other " Liberty and Progress." Their acts, however, when they come in to power are identically the same. Juarez, who entered the capital amid banners inscribed with "The Constitution of 1857," "Reform," " Liberty of the Pi ess," " Trial by Jury," &.c, has violated every one of the principles there enunciated, and rules quite as despotically as did Miramon, Santa Anna, or any other of his predecessors. These factions comprise but a small minority of the nation, as is sufficiently proved by the paucity of their adherents ; but they are an armed minority, and as such hold in complete subjection the rest of the population. The moderate and respectable portion of the community have never taken any part in political matters; being a quiet and timid set, they have ever kept aloof, and will continue to do so until sure of protection. It follows, as neither of these factions has the power of subjugating the other, that the civil war which has now devasted the country for upwauls of 40 yeais, must continue to do so until a third and more powerful party steps in and puts an end to the stiife. It is in this view of the case that intervention has become a necessity. To suppose that the Mexican nation generally is so wedded to the form of government (whatever that may ha\e been, for it is impossible to define it) which has existed since the declaration of independence, is to suppose that seven millions of people prefer a state of anarchy and confusion to one of peace and quiet ; and such a supposition, to say the least, is contrary to general experience. Eesides, the nation has never had a chance of expressing its opinion upon the form of government it would wish to adopt; one military chief after another has risen in such rapid succession that there has been no time, even if there had been any inclination, to appeal to universal suffrage. The best proof of this is that we have had upwards of 50 presidents or military desjjots in a little more than 40 yen is. The last accounts from the interior lead one to believe that Juarez and his Government have determined upon abandoning f^an Luis and retiring to Montciey ; where they may have gone by the time the Fieuch reach San Luis, it is difficult to divine, unless it be on the other side of the river Bravo del Norte. Their visit will not prove an agreeable one to Yidauni, the Governor of the State ; and unless the ex Piesident has with him force sufficient to compel hospitality, it is the opinion of many that he would have found in the French camp a safer as) lum than in the town of Monteiey. General Mejia, who is in advance of the French columns marching upon Queietaro, has already occupied Arroyezaico. lie arrived just in time to save fron destruction the gieat "piesa,'" or reservoir, u&cd for irrigating the land in that district during the dry season. Juarez and his partisans must certainly have the bump of destruction very strongly developed. Tasco, the capital of a mining district of some impoitance, situate to the south of the city of Mexico, has been occupied by Poifirio Diaz, one of Juarez's generals, who is said to have committed the most frightful excessts, destroying everything he could lay his hands upon, and murdering many of the inhabitants. The Pachuca diligence was also stopped a few days back by Frazosa and other of Juarez's partisans, arid an English gentleman named Rabling carried off. Six thousand dollars are demanded as his ransom. Such proceedings, one would think, are little calculated to enlist the sympathies of Her Majesty's Government in favour of the so-called Liberal cause. Doblado on the Ist of November was still at Guanaxuato, much occupied — -at least, so it is said — with the approaching marriage of his only daughter.

This may be one excuse for his inactivity, but it is not the only one ; that he is in communication with General Bazaine is well known, and from what I have this day heard it seems more than probable that such arrangements may be come to as will induce that far-seeing politician to declare himself in favour of intervention. A Protestant church has been opened in Mexico, a French clergyman officiating. If leport speaks true, there Mas great opposition on the part of the Regency, or, at least, one of its members, but General Bazaine insisted, and canied his point. — Tmits.