Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1884 — Napoleon III. and Mexico. [ARTICLE]

Napoleon III. and Mexico.

Like many of the Central and South American republics, Mexico had been troubled by revolutions and counterrevolutions for a number of years. For several years prior to the civil war in the United States a bitter conflict had been carried on by the advanced and Conservative parties. In 1860 the Liberals had triumphed, and the Conservative leader Miramon had been compelled to fleo from the capital. Juarez in the year 1861 made a triumphal entry into the capital, and the Liberals had endeavored to introduce certain radical reforms, such as declaring marriage a civil contract, suppressing celibacy and ecclesiastical tribunal, separating church and state, and confiscating an immense amount of church property. There had been during these troublous times residents of Mexico who were Spanish, French, and British subjects. In 1862 the claims of Spain and Great Britain having been settled by negotiation, these nations, who had occupied Vera Cruz in December the year previous, withdrew, leaving France there to continue the war. During 1863-’64 the .French had occupied the capital, and then the dream of Louis Napoleon was discovered, namely, to bring about a universal fusion of the Latin races. Through his machinations the Mexican imperial crown was offered to the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian. This was in 1863,. and it came about in this nianner: A regency had been formed, in 1863, and in July an assembly of notables was convened with power to decide upon the future government of Mexico. On July 10 it was resolved, by 250 votes for and 20 votes against, upon an hereditary monarchical government, under a Roman Catholic emperor. The crown was accepted by Maximilian, who arrived at the capital June 12, 1864. The Liberal leaders were pursued by the Imperialists and driven from the country. Jnarez was at the head of the movement against the monarchy, and spent many months in gathering together troops with whom to recapture Mexico. March 25, 1866, hia forces captured Chihuahua, and that success was followed by others. Meanwhile the United States had remonstrated,' and finally, early in 1867, the French troops under Bazaine were withdrawn from' Mexioo. This left the unfortunate Maximilian to his own resources, - and he soon after quitted the capitals proceeding northward. With about 5,000 men he reached Queretaro, - where ho was besieged by Gen. having an army of 20,060. Vera Cruz, Puebla"' and Mexico were at the same time invested by the Liberal forces* May 15 Maximilian was captured, tred by court martial, condemned and shot, with Miramon and Mejia, two of his generals, on June 19. This ended the invasion of Mexico by foreign forces and the attempt to found an empire in North America.— lnter Ocean, What do most men delight in calling stupid? The clever thing that they do aot understand.