Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1848-05-04
From the New Orleans Picayune.
Farewell Address Of Santa Anna.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, General Of
Division, and well deserving of his Country, 10
his fellow citizens:
Mexicans!-On the point Of leaving my beloved
native country, in order to seek in reign land
the quiet of private life, must address you for
the last time, to explain 10 You the tue causes
which have constrained me 10 condemn myself 10
II voluntary os,racsm. Far from me, in this
solemn moment, is the idea ofreopening the wounds
which have heen Inflicted npon our country
by the strife Of parties, which, by their continued
agitation, have brough, us into our actual position.
A noble object urges me 10 pen these lines, free
from vanity or hn,tery.
Fatality or fortune had ordained that The United
States should carry their victorious standard across
the Rio Bravo, and the disasters OF Palo Alto and
Resaca opened the northern gate Of The Republic
to the enemy, who, without resistance, took pos
session Of considerable part of the States Of New
Leon, Coahua and Tamaulipas. While these
mlsIortunes were occurring, | was Frustrated on
a sick bed at Havana, by fresh breaking out
of the wounded which had received at Very
Cruz fighting against the French.
| Let it he known TO the glory and honor of the
national army, that to its consistency and torttuds
WAS it owing that could combat the invader in
his own entertainments at Buena Vista, and thar,
notwithstanding the suffering Of the desert, and
the epidemic which afflicted them afterwards, il
rraverscd the republic aud presented n serene front
to the enemy at Cero Gordo.
| The first scenes of the war during the months
of February and April, have been recorded in
official documents, and by them the nation has
been informed that | have stunned no sacrifice
nor hardship 10 crown her with The laurels Of
victory;
had Just taken possession of the executive
power, when The loss Of our first fortresses, Vera
Cruz and Uloa, opened towards the east the doors
OF the republic to the invaders. ] Immediately
took the road TO oppose his advance, although no
preparations had been made In eight days iih-
out workmen nor sufficient utensils, half fortified
the position Of Cerro Gordo, and with handful OF
manned and invalid sodies, with some ruscS bad
" armed and forced from their farms, l made
head against 1900 veterans flushed with victory
On this occasion, as in former ones, resolved to
fight, as orr duty was to oon'ba'--nos to conquer'
During my absence, the government, aslound-
ed us il were, by the advance Of the enemy, by
the disasters which had occurred by the selfish
ness of The wealthy classes, by the inacton Of the
greater part ar the States, who, taking shelter be-
hind their sovereignty, had done nothing for the
common defence, despared Of saving the capital,
had resolved upon s abandonment. AT the sight
Of this dismay, and in spite of the conspi!acies
which were organized around me- resumed pow
er and carried out my intentions. In less Than
Two months, | raised Notifications, ] provided
great material of war, and organized third army,
with which fought as long as was able, and as
long as was required by the national dignity, tho
in critical moments disobedence and want OF dis
cipliuc threw TO the ground the plan OF the CAM
palgn and my combinations.
The state at which matters have arrived, len-
ders my person no longer of any use TO my codn-
try. A peace TO be forever execraied has been
granted, and wo.ihirds of the national territory
have been sold for dish Of lenlils. A shameful
and absurd arms,ice has been sanctioned 10 con-
summatc the iniquity. What recourse therefore
remains, citizens for him who only returned TO his
country 10 satisfy the public wishes and 10 hight
in support of the noble cause ngoins, the foreign
enemy What is he to do who is PnrfEed m eve