Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/43

Rh which they were beginning to arm. Being attacked suddenly, the capital made no resistance.

If General Forey, by the rapidity of his movements, had avoided the siege of Puebla, the aspect of things in Mexico might perhaps have changed. In consequence of our delay, the spirit of resistance had been developed in the republic, and there had been time to gain over all the provinces which subsequently pronounced for the presidential authority. The state capitals, which became so many hot-beds of insurrection, would have remained tranquil for want of any mutual concert between them, and France, entering Mexico dominantly at the beginning of 1863, would have been at perfect liberty to openly ally herself to the Southern Secessionists, who would have thereby gained ground.

In spite of the flowers and fireworks which were scattered in the path of General Forey on his entering Mexico, the enthusiasm was only factitious. The point that ought to have been the first thing to strike an observant commander was the fact that Juarez had not been expelled by the population of the capital. The chief of the state had yielded to force, but without compromise. In his retreat, he took with him the republican power, but he never allowed it to slip from his hands. He was brought down, but he never abdicated. He had all the pertinacity of a sense of right. This was for five years the secret of the old Indian's power, either in inactivity or in resistance, as he fell back from village to village, and never met with either traitor or assassin on his road.