LOUIS NAPOLEON IN MEXICO

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 49, 28 April 1863, Page 3

LOUIS NAPOLEON IN MEXICO

(From Harper's Magazine.)

When the operations of a Confidence Man are exposed, there is always a smile of derision at the stupid rural victim ; but the supply of the victims does not fail. So when you pass a mock-auction shop, and contemplate Peter Funk and his friends unwearied ly playing buy and sell mock watches and brass jewelry, it is imposible not to admire the gullibility which is in so exact and excusable a quantity that a trade like this may be established upon it, and gentry like these make a living by it. Year after year the Confidence Man drops a wallet or shows the secret of a safe, and year after year Peter Funk chatters over his counter the majjjts a nd cheapness of his glass diamonds. And year after year also the rustic falls into both the traps, and hies homeward a wiser and a poorer man.

But all this is not more surprising than the performances of royal Confidence Men and imperial Peter Funks from the beginuing of time. Their game goes on from century to century. The same old brass time-pieces are extolled as the purest gold. The same old promises are made of Sudden elevation to wealth. The same old farce of friendship is played and played again. The last mock-auction upon the great scale is the movement of Louis Napoleon in Mexico, which has a very natural and peculiar interest for all of us neighbors of that restless nation. The emperor of Russia a few years since thought his dear friend Turkey a sick man — sick even unto death ; so sick that his estate must be administered upon ; and who so competent, who so clearly Heaven-called to the task, as the ancient ally and disinterested friend of Turkey, Russia ? In a similar manner the heart of the French Emperor is touched by the misery of Mexico. It is not indeed, his neighbor. But who — says Louis Funk — who is*my neighbor if not a suffering State?

Spain and England, as we were saying some few months since, when Gen. Prim was our hero of an our, have withdrawn from the errand of mercy. But the conscience of the Emperor of the French would be troubled if he should give over his noble friends, the Mexicans, to their own destruction. So

lie has sent an army and a nayy — • why? To revenge the defeat of the French arms last summer? Softly, impetuous inquirer ! Do you think that Peter Funk sells watches for his own advantage ? Does he not expressly tell you that this watch is an article of the finest gold, of c most exquisi c workmanship, with thirty jewels, and a regulator of' ! iesun? Is it not knocked do.vn to you at a fear. I sacrifice and d'rt cheap, expressly to close a cencern ? Is it not the very last of the lot, and, by a curious but lucky chance, the very best? What, then, se.ys Peter Napoleon by his man Forey ? Has it not the true washed-copper ring ? Is it not the purest strain of tac mockauction shop ? Listen :—- --" As soon as the Mexicans people are freed by our arms, they will choo,e, without restraint, the government that suits them. I bring a positive command to declare so to them.

"In the name of the Emperor I invite, without distinction of parties, all who wish the independence of their country and the integrity of their territory. It is not a part of i-'.e politics of France to mix, for a pei mal interest, in the intestine dissensions of foreign nations ; but when for legitimate reasons she is obliged to interfere, she always does it in the interests of the country where she employs her ■ action. " Remember, Mexicans, that wherever her flag is unfurled in America, as in Europe, she represents the cause of nations and of civilization."

There was never any other pretence urged by any soldier for any wanton and reckless invasion of a foreign territory. He always comes to protect the rights of the people of the territory. Designing men among them are plotting mischief. But I, Louis, never have any personal motive ; I have only the Millenium at heart. My mission is to root out selfishness. lam sent by Heaven to chastise the ambitious and self-seeking. I, from the 2nd December, am the guardian of legitimate governments of the people against the usurpation of individuals. My empire is peace — peace in the Crimea, peace in Italy, and now peace in Mexico. Peace at the present time, means the regeneration of Mexico. But, believe me, it is a purely impersonal, philanthropic movement of mine France is bound to keep the peace of the world, and lam France. General Forey, you will order the ships to open upon the ports and the army to advance upon the capital. It is only a great piece of historical Peter Funk. The intention is that of the worthy auctioneer. The declaration of intention is just as veracious as his assertions about his wares. The passengers pass in the street and smile to hear his talk ; and there is not a man of very ordinary sense, in France or out of France, who does not smile with contempt and pity as he hears the stale old fustian of the bran-new Emperor. When Mexico shall have been pacified by the apostle of peace, what other part of the world will it be his mission to regulate 1