The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-09-24
From the Nantucket Enquirer.
Santa Ana.

bly, experienced as many sudden ana COM
plete changes of fortune as any person now
living. Again and again has he climbed to
the seat of power, been cast from it, almost
without warning, and, after short interval,
regained, by his matchless powers of intrigue,
more than he had lost. In the darkest hour
he appears never to have lost confidence in
himself or his fortunes-for no sooner have
| his opponents managed to supplant him, than
he has resolutely set himself to work to pay
them off IN their own coin, and thus far he
has been eminently successful
Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana must now be
not far from fifty years of age, as he has play
ed conspicuous part in the affairs of his
country for about quarter of a century. He
joined in the successful instruction against
Spain, in 1921, and was one of the most &C
tive agents in advancing Iturbide to the Mex
lean throne. The Emperor, in consideration
o. his eminent services, made him general,
and appointed him governor of Vera Cruz.
The harmony between Edward and Warwick
did not, however, continue long. A COM
plant having been made against Santa Ana
by the General of the Southern Division of
the Army, the former was summoned to APP
pear before the Emperor, at Jalappa, and an
swer to the charges. Confident of the royal
protection, he did not hesitate to obey, but to
his surprise and indignation, instead Of being
kindly treated, he was severely censured and
dismissed from his command. He had, how
ever, no idea of submitting to this imperial
tyranny. He instantly returned to Vera
Cruz, where, by riding day and night, he az
rived before the news of his dismissal from
his command. Having ordered out his regi-
ment, and asccrtained that he might depend
upon it for support, he raised the standard of
revolt and pronounced for Federal Repub-
lie. Victoria, Bravo, Guerrero and others
having joined him, the republican forces we're
soon too numerous to be opposed, and Itur-
Dude was driven from the throne The En-
peror having resigned the crown, Santa Ana
undertook to make a party for himself, but he
was not yet strong enough to stand alone
The troops which he managed to collect be-
ing too few to enable him to oppose the other
republican leaders, he was obliged to submit,
was carried to Mexico and confined.
In 1924, a constitution like ours on the
federal plan, was adopted, and Gaudaloupe
Victoria elected President. lie served out
his time, and in 1928, Gomez Pedraza was
chosen to succeed him, over Guerrero, the op-
posing candidate Before the time for the
Inauguration of the new President arrived,
Santa Ana, pretending that the election did
not express the will of the people, took up
arms in behalf Of Guerrero; civil war ensl-
cd, and Pedraza was driven from the coun-
try The House of Representatives declared
that Guerrero had beer duly elected, and ac-
cordingy on the LIST Of January, 1922 he be-
came President of Mexico, and Santa Ana
was appointed Secretary of War. In July of
that year, Spain made last attempt to recon-
quer Mexico. The command of the Mexican
army was given to Santa Ana, who soon de-
feated and expelled the invaders, and, as a
consequence, became more popular than ever.
In 1880, Guerrero was deposed and shot, and
Bustamente, the Vice President, assumed the
powers Of the Executive Being thrown out
of office by this revolution, Santa Ana retired
to his estate, to work out by intrigue the over
throw Of the government. AS usual, he sue
ccedcd. In January, 1882, the garrison Of
| Vera Cruz pronounced against Bustamente,
and Santa Ana was of course nritcd to assume
the lead of the new patriotic movement
Another civil war ensucd, which lasted sever
al months, and resulted in the downfall of
Bustamente, who fed from the country.
Santa Ana now played a most adroit game.
He recalled Pedraza, whose term of office
was about to expire, being very well aware
who would be chosen to succeed him. Pow
er he was determined to have, but he prefer
red, if possible, to obtain it under the forms
of the constitution. The scheme succeeded
perfectly, and in 1888 Santa Ana was unani-
mously chosen President Having thus OBJ
tanned office, the next thing was to keep it
The new ruler had been taught by his own
success in overturning his predecessors, that
if he would retain Office, he must in some way
strengthen his position. He accordingly
formed an alliance with the priests, greatly
increased the strength Of the army, and with
the aid Of these allies, procured, in 1885, the
election of Congress who abolished the con-
stitution Of 1924 the state constitutions, and
all the state authorities. The result of these
measures was a military despotism.
In 1886, Santa Ana, committing the exec
utive power to General Barragan, took COM
mand Of the army in Texas, was defeated,
and made prisoner at San Jacinto, and re-
manned prisoner several months. While these
events were taking place, Bustamente return
cd from exile; his party regained the Assem-
dency; and he was again raised to the prcs-
dency which he retained for nearly five years
When Santa Ana was finally allowed to re-
Vera Cruz, where he lay in wait until events
SnOulu fecall MIN lnGO aculVe ire. In 1859,
he regained his popularity with the army and
people by his services against the French, at
Vera Cruz In 1871, the pear was consider
ed to be ripe. Paroles pronounced against
Bustamcntc, and marched upon the city of
Mexico, before which, by concerted move
mcnt, Santa Ana presented himself at the
same time. Bustamcntc was driven from the
country, and Santa Ana proclaimed provis-
ional President. He soon contrivcd to have
himself elected President for five years, and
for two or three years he was virtually dicta-
tor of Mexico.
But the uneasy spirits by whom he had
been assisted to power was soon weary of
state of quiet. In Nov. 1874, Paroles pro
nounced against Santa Ana, who was desert
ed by the army, and driven into exile. Her. |
rera then became president, but before anoth- |
LII LII. d. l. :.