February 14, 1863, The New York Herald
It is evident from the tone of the French Official and semi-official organs that the Emperor Napoleon perseveres in his determination of offering to this government his mediation. We are inclined to believe that he will use his every effort to induce other European Powers to join him in this course of action, and that in furtherance of this desire he has appointed a new ambassador to the Court of St. James. The person just displaced, the old Count de Flahault, was not sufficiently active to bring about a joint movement on the part of England and France as regards our affairs, and so Baron Gros, a bold, determined, experienced diplomat, assumes his position; and, if England can be won over to Napoleon’s views, he is just the man to accomplish it. We do not anticipate, however, that success will attend his efforts. England is but too glad to see France getting deeper and deeper in the turmoils of that Mexican expedition to grant her assistance to Napoleon, for the purpose of making a great show by interfering with the United States, and enabling him, under cover of this move, to withdraw from the Mexican expedition. The statesmen of England are quite farseeing enough to comprehend that in any quarrel with us Napoleon must lose prestige and power, as we should certainly defeat his most vindictive efforts; and thus they will leave him to his fate, and let him get out of his present trouble as best he may.
A review of the movements of the French army since they first invaded Mexico shows a total want of success. In no instance have the French gained any important or lasting benefit. They have spent millions upon millions of treasure, have lost thousands of men by the enemy and by disease, and are at this moment as far from the accomplishment of their purpose as on the day they first landed upon the soil of Mexico. Their reserves arrive at Vera Cruz but just in time to replace the victims of the fatal diseases which decimate their armies, while in the matter of provisions and transports they find both falling ever into the hands of the guerillas or marauding bands, which prowl around their encampments and seize upon the army trains and all stragglers. This is a fearful condition of affairs, and is rendered all the more disastrous and melancholy for France when we take into consideration that the people of Mexico, for whom the Emperor Napoleon is so ambitious, cannot comprehend the immensity of his Majesty’s views, and refuse his proffered aid and administration, and that with a determination which, instead of faltering, seems to grow stronger and deeper.
Under these sad circumstances we deem it the duty of our government to show towards Napoleon III the same solicitude which he betrays towards us, and we seriously call upon Mr. Seward to offer to France our mediation in Mexico. If that is not accepted, we must threaten to break the French blockade, and carry to the Mexicans arms and any munitions they may want, as a proof of our friendship for France and of our heartfelt desire to settle her troubles on this continent. We might, in imitation of England’s example, build a few privateers (the word is more genteel than pirate), and prey upon French commerce, taking care, of course, to do so under the Mexican flag, although we may, if we choose, always in imitation of England, have the crew Americans. Should we, for the complete success of the enterprise in question, pick out our most experienced gunners, we should be imitating to the letter the example set us by England in the way of strict neutrality.
Mr. Seward will, we hope, see at once the feasibility, not to say the humanity, of our suggestion. France is burning with impatience to mediate with us. We surely cannot be outdone by France in generosity. She feels the deepest commiseration for our misfortunes, and would at all risks and hazards stop the effusion of blood in our country. Surely we are bound to feel the same commiseration for her in Mexico. We must mediate, and the sooner the better. Our administration cannot plead other and more momentous occupations. Is not Napoleon overwhelmed with care and anxiety? Has he not enough and more than enough upon his hands? And yet we see that he devotes his attention to us with generous pertinacity. We must mediate; and the sooner Mr. Seward makes the proposal the sooner will we stand in a proper light before the world. The difficulties of France in Mexico are harrowing, and, what is more, they are increasing. The Mexicans remain blind to all the advantages of Napoleon’s rule, and they are shedding the blood of their would be benefactors. They lasso them, assassinate them, poison them. Really we must mediate, and, as a proof of untiring and devoted friendship to France, we must endeavor to induce other governments to join us in our offer. England would doubtless gladly act with us. Spain also; while, to render the offer the more gracious, our government should request our newspapers to intimate that, in case Napoleon refuses our services, the mediators will break the blockade of all the Mexican ports, and lend the Mexicans armed aid against the French. All this, of course, as a proof of good will to France, and of our intense desire to benefit her interest and those of the world at large.
Mr. Seward has thus a grand opportunity of rendering to France good for good, and of proving to her Emperor how sensible we are of his kindness and humane intentions towards us. In the eyes of the world we should assume the elevated position which Napoleon now so conspicuously holds, and which he has made a monopoly. We should prove to all that our own disasters and necessities do not blind us to the wants of our friends, and that we are ever ready to come to the aid of the afflicted. We must mediate – that is clear; and we hope our government will at once, in humble imitation of the example set us by Mr. Mercier, despatch some diplomat to Mexico for the purpose of inducing the people of that country to fight to the last, and never abandon any place they may have contemplated leaving to its fate. M. Mercier was immensely successful in this way at Richmond last year. Why should we not achieve as much at Mexico? It is surely worth the trial. Let us mediate Mr. Seward. The matter is easy. We have but to follow the example of Napoleon.