The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-20
CONTRADICTIONS.
For the Union.
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANA.

ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANA.
Next TO Bolivar there is no one, among the distin
guished men of the Spanish American republics
whose life has been signalized by so many extra
ordinary vicisstudes Of good and evil fortune, OF
who has attained so widespread reputation, as
Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana.
Santa Ana is a native Of the department OF Vera
Cruz. Here, without enjoying any adventurous adj
vantages Of birth family, he was enabled, by his
talents and activity, to secure great local influence,
and then to rise gradually to wealth and power.
He began to be conspicuous in 1921, as parti-
san of lturbide. On the PRONUNCIATION by the latter
of the plan of Iguala, february "a, 1921 Santa
Ana, at the head of the irregular forces of the
neighborhood, succeeded, by coup-de main, iri
driving the Spaniards out of Vera Cruz, of which
he was appointed governor by lturbide. The Span
iards, however, still held the castles Of San Juan de
Uha, from which they were not for long time dis
lodged; and, Of course, Santa Ana's position was
one of great importance. Meanwhile, differences
arose between Santa Ana and the Emperor Agus-
un who had come down to Jalapa to direct the ope-
ratons against the Spaniards. Santa Ana repaired
to Jaapa to confer with Iturbide; and, being
treated harshly and deprived of his command,
Immediately let Jalapa, hurried back to Vera
Cruz, in anticipation of the intelligence Of his
disgrace and raised the standard Of revolt and by
of his personal authority with the troops Of
the garrison able commence hostlties agains,
the Emperor Thereupon, Guadalupe Victoria
previous unsuccessful efforts in the revolution, and
who was living concealed in the mountains, emerged
from his hiding-place, called around him his old
republican companions in arms, expelled Iturbide
and established the Mexican republic with fedora
constitution, in imitation Of that of the United
States.
Santa Ana. who, by first taking up arms, had
contributed so largely to this result, and thinking
himself not duly considered in the new arrange
ments, sailed from Vera Cruz with small force
March 1929 and, landing at Tampico advanced
through the csnntry to San Luis Potosi, assuming
to be protector of the new republic But he did no,
possess influence enough to maintain himself in this
attitude, and was compelled to submit to the gov
eminent, and to remain for several years IN retire
ment at Manga de Clavo.
The termination of victoria's presidency, how
aver, in 1928, enabled Santa Ana to re-appear on
the stage Pcdraza had been regularly elected Presi-
dent: on hearing of which, Santa Ana in arms,
and, by rapid march, seized upon, and intrenched
himself in the castle of Perote, where he published
a plan, the basis of which TO annul the election
OF Pedraza, and confer the presidency on Guerrero;
but, being successfully attacked here by the govern
ment forces, he was compelled to flee, and took
refuge in the mountains of Oaaca, to all appearance
an outlaw and ruined man. The signal Of revolu-
ton, however, which he had given at Perote was
followed up with more success In other parts of the
country. PedraZa was at length driven into exile
Guerrero was declared President in his place, and
Santa Ana was appointed to the command of the
very army sent against him, and to the government
of Vera CRUZ and after the Inauguration of Guer-
zero, april, 1897 he became Secretary Of War.
During the occurrence of these events, the Span.
ash government was organizing its last invasion Of
Mexico; and on Barradas-the commander of the
Spanish forces-landing at Tampico, July 81
1897 Santa Ana was ntrusted with the command
of the Mexican troops and ut length compelled the
Spsniards to capitulae, (September IL, 1922 and
thus put end to the war OF independence.
Guerrero had been in Office but few months
when another revolution occurred. The Vice Pres
ident (Bustamente) gathered force at Jalapa and
pronounced against Guerrero, December, 1929 J
who was ut length taken prisoner and executed fol
treason; Bustamente assuming the presidency.
Santa Ana, after feeby resisting, had at length
Joined, or at least acquiesced in, the movement OF
Bustamente; and remained in retirement for two OF
three years, until in 1882 he of sudden
against the government, compelled Busamente to
flee, and brought back Pedraza from exile to serve
out the remaining three months Of the term fol
which he had been elected to the presidency
In the progress of events, Santa Ana had now
acquired sufficient importance to desist from the
function of President-lnaker, and to become himself
President, MAY, 1887 His presidency was fill
ed with pronunciamsntos and civil wars, which pro
duced the contamination of the overthrow of thu
federal constitution Of 1924 and the adoption il
1886 of central constitution.
Though most of the Mexican States acquicscet
in the violent changes, by which they were reduced
Observation-Disclosures the control of militar,
commandments, too--Texas on the northeast, and Yu
catan on the southeast, refused to submit to tn,
military domination Of whatever faction of the arm,
might happen to hold power in the city of Mexico
and Santa Ana at length took command in person
OF the army organized for the reduction Of Texas
The battle of San Jacnto, the capture of Santa Ana
his release by Houston on conditions which he af
forwards refused to fulfil his visit to this country
and his subsequent return to Mexico, are events
famlarV known the United States
When Santa Ana marched on Texas, first Bar
ragan and then CorO, exercised the functions of thu
presidency for while, until, under the new const
tuition, Bustamente, having returned from exile
was elected President; the temporary unpopuarty
Of Santa Ana, and his retirement in disgrace tc
Manga de Clavo, having left the field open to The
friends of Bustamente.
Sundry pronunciamentos followed; of which, on,
of the most dangerous, headed by Mejia, gave t.
Santa Ana the opportunity Of emerging from his
to be shot the field of battle This exploit CAV,
to Santa Ana new start in public affairs; so that
when the French government, in 1893, resolved Il
punish Mexico for its multiplied aggressions on tn,
subjects of France in Mexico, and proceeded to at
tack Vera Cruz, the command of the Mexican
troops was committed to Santa Ana. On this oc
casion he received wound, which rendered the am
putation of one Of his .gs necessary; and his ser
vices, at this tlme seemed to have eilaced, in the
eyes of the Mexicans the disgrace of his defeat a
San Jaclnto.
Santa Ana took no part in the unsuccessful
movement Of Urea against Bustamente in 1910; bu
IN lS4l there broke out revolution, commenced by
Paroles, at Guadaajara, into which Santa Anna
threw himself with so much vigor and zeal, tina,
Bustamente was again compelled to hee and the
plan of Tacubaya, with the agreement of La Els.
tanzuela, was adopted in virtue of which, the con-
stitution of 1886 was abolished, and Santa Ana
himself was invested with the powers of dictator
for the purpose of reconstituting the republic.
Under these auspices, and amidst ali the caami
ties Of proractcd but unsuccessful attempt to re
duce Yucatan to submission (for Yucatan at lengtl
made its own terms,) new constitution was adopte'
June l3, l843, entitled "Basis of Political Organiza
ton Of the Mexican Republic" and Santa An
was elected President.
Santa Ana resigned his dictatorship, and entere
upon Office as the new President in january, 1874
but before the expiration Of the year, Paroles aga
pronounced at Guadalaara, and this time agains
Santa Ana, November, l644.) The chief osten
sible causes of this movement were various admin
n