Page:Juarez and Cesar Cantú (1885).djvu/23

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making him appear as an instrument or accomplice of that scandalous speculation in which Nopoleon III himself, the Duke of Morny and Jecker, were the prominent actors.

On the other hand, the Italian historian adds: "Forey and Bazaine achieved easy triumphs and captured Puebla and Mexico," and not a word does he say about the battle of the 5 th of May 1862, nor does he even mention the name of Laurencez. It is not in this way that history ought to be written; and it is difficult to believe that Cesar Cantú paid such a tribute to human frailties, in the presence of his own contemporaries, when speaking of events which made so much noise in the world, beause of their great importance and their immense signification.

In a book entitled: "Lombardy in the XVI Century" Cesar Cantú wrote the following words, which we take up and accept as thet best defence of Mexico and of the immortal Juarez: "WHEN HAS IT BEEN SEEN THAT SOPHISTRY AND BAYONETS COULD PREVAIL OVER THE FORCE OF TRUTH, WHICH IS THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE OF FORCES?"

How can it be explained that a person who thinks so justly, and who formulates such a magnificent axiom, should fall into the errors that his history contains, with regard to events the effects of which are still felt, and which have been judged of in Europe with all exactnees by truly impartial minds?

The reply to this question will appear natural to our readers, if they take in consideration the circumstances which we now proceed to mention.

Cesar Cantú was seventy two Years old when he