Page:Speeches, correspondence and political papers of Carl Schurz, Volume 1.djvu/237

Rh without influence upon his actions. He would endeavor to secure to the Mexican people a fair opportunity to express their will at the ballot-box and then with his whole power sustain the Government of their choice, whatever party might carry the day. As between Miramon and Juarez, he was in favor of Juarez, and he believed that at a fair election a majority of the people would be on Juarez's side.

I remarked that, according to Mr. Calderon's statements, the three powers were not in favor of calling a constitutional convention or taking a vote of the people. The General seemed surprised and gave me clearly to understand that he did not care very much what the Government might think of it, and that, as he was the political as well as the military head of the expedition, he would act as he thought best. He had been a liberal all his life and would be as true to his principles in Mexico as he had been in Spain; he would not have accepted the command of the expedition, if he were not permitted to play a generous and disinterested part in the business.

I thought it proper to inform the General of the offer of mediation, made by the United States through me to the Spanish Government, and explained to him the views expressed by you in your despatch on that subject. I informed him further, that the United States had undoubtedly great influence with the Juarez Government, and that, if our good offices were accepted now or at a subsequent stage of the proceedings, great complications might be avoided and all difficulties settled in an amicable manner; I had made that suggestion to Mr. Calderon but received no satisfactory answer.

The General replied that nothing would afford him greater pleasure than to operate in good understanding with the United States; the great American Republic had his hearty sympathy; he loved her institutions and