When the Austrian archduke, Maximilian, was foisted upon Mexico as its
emperor by Napoleon III., the Southerners, who did not have their
"bellyful of fighting" by 1864, more than hinted that they would range
shoulder to shoulder with the Federals to try to expel him and the
mercenary Marshal Bazaine. But the President returned sagaciously:
"One war at a time!"
It was under his successor, Johnson, that the expulsion was effected
and the upstart executed by the exasperated Mexicans themselves.
(NOTE.--This was undoubtedly said, but Mr. Henry Watterson, in his
lecture on Lincoln, dates it as at the commencement of the war, when
Secretary Seward, to forestall possible European alliances in favor of
the Confederate States, proposed waging war against France and Spain,
already allied, and challenging Russia and England to follow.)
* * * * *
"AGIN' THE GOVERNMENT."
In the summer of 1864, the governor-general of Canada paid the
President a visit, with a numerous escort. During the late
unpleasantness, as much comfort as possible under the Neutrality Act
was believed to have been given the raiders into the border towns, as
witness the St. Alban's Bank steal and the outfitting of
blockade-runners. But they were treated at Washington with perfect
courtesy. The head of the British party, at the conclusion, said with
some sarcasm in his genial tone:
"I understand, Mr. President, that everybody is entitled to a vote in
this country. If we remain until November, can _we_ vote?"
"You would have to make a longer residence, which I could desire,"
politely replied the host; "only, I fear we should not gain much by
that--for there was a countryman of your excellency, from the sister
kingdom of Ireland, though, who came here, and on landing wanted to
exercise the privilege you seek--to vote early and often! But the
officials at Castle Garden landing-stage laughed at him, saying that he
knew nothing about parties, to which he replied:
"'Bother the parties! It is the same here with me as in the old
country--I am agin' the government!' You see, he wanted to vote on the
side of the Rebellion! Your excellency would then be no more at a loss
to decide on which side!"
* * * * *