The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-05-13
nrov;oo-yuc.t,n-The Indians.

and c,lling the attention of that body to the pro-
nr;etv of assisting the whites, or of taking posses
sion Of that peninsula as part of Mexico. The
subject having thus been brought before the atten
ton of the Republic it becomes important to inquire
into the nature and merits of this Indian war. 1t
will be found, upon analysis, to be part of the
general movement which now appears to affect the
whole world-the oppressed classes rising against
their oppressors and, in struggle for their rig hts
resorting to what in Mexico seems the only mode of
redress-the entire determination of the latter. .
By the Conquest of Mexico. Spain asserted SUI
preme dominion, not only the soil but over the
bodies and souls of the conquered people. From
the year 1921 to the Mexican revolution, this do
minon was exercised in the harshest form winch
Jealous and avaricious power could assume. Inc
soil was divided among the conquerors; and the
people, regarded as mere adjuncts to the land. Were
considered of value only they could administer
to the power, pleasure or cupdity of their naughty
masters. The white immigrants from Spain were
the lords paramount of the country; but they were
few in number, and only maintained the asceh-
dancv from the supersttous fears of the aborgines,
.,d from the g,restiee which followed the fact OF
their rapid and marvellous conquest
Tn time, by a commingling of the races and by
European propagation in Mexico' the large CLASS oi
the half breeds and Mexican creoles grew up, who
shared many of the privileges OF the native Europe
ans and full whites, but were nevertheless gen.
eraIIy debarred by the policy which governed the
Council of the Indians from any participation in
the powers of the Government or the higher honors
of the State. They were, however, numerous,
rich and powerful; held immense tracts of land,
and exercised like sway with the Spaniards over
the subjected Indian The Mexican revou-
ton was the consequence of this mixed breed-the
fredericksburg full participation with the
Spaniards in honor and power it had no better,
higher, or nobler object. In 1910, when the revo-
luton first broke OUT, the population of Mexico was
probably about 800 GOO; of which the pure whites
or Spaniards numbered about $4,000 the creoles,
1900, GOO; the pure Indians, orig nal Mexlcans,
nearly 1000 ,000 and the remainder, consisting OF
negroes mulatoes, mistoes, quarteroons etc The
attempted revolution of 1910, was failure. The
creoles had stirred up the Indians against Spanish
sway, with the intention Of reaping all the benefit
of the achievement, but unwilling to subject either
their persons or estates to the risk Of defeat For
ten wears the war was carried with more or less
energy, with many changes of fortune, but with
general advantage on the Spanish side. The Gre
oes had become gradually involved in what was
from the beginning their own battle, but which
they hoped to win by the hands of their serfs
Affairs began to look desperate, when lttr
bide a creole Colonel, in the Spanish SERVICE
in 1921, turned traitor or patriot, which
the reader pleases, raised the standard of revolt
and published his famous Plan of Iglala. By
that "plan,'' the fruitful source of ten thousand
subsequent pronuncianaientos, slavery was abolished
in all aop of dpSc mr.
color were abrogated, and all persons declared
equal, and entitled to equal rights, powers and priv
eges as citizens This was the battle-cry of the
war: it united the whole people-and of course,
the victory over the Spanish armies was speedily
achieved. The battle, however, was no sooner
won, than those who urged on the contest in the
first place, and who had only participated in it,
when they had more to fear from Incidence than
activity, began to turn the victory to their own
purposes. The prestige which had given the Span
ards their power had in some measure descended
to their offspring, by whose aid the Spaniards had
been driven out. This gave them controlling in
lluence, which further increased by their large
possessions and superior intelligence and education
The Indians free, by the declaration of iguaa
they were the equals of the Creoles, by the new
Constitution but it was necessary to subject and
enslave them. in order that their labor might enrich
the superior class, and that they might be made to
bear all the burdens Of the State without enjoying
any of its benefits. This end reached in a
very ingenious manner. To reinstitute slavery
would have shocked the nerves Of the pious propa-
gandists of Exeter Hall, and destroyed all sympa-
thetc feelings with the revolution in the breasts of
the disciples of those worthy people on this side of
the Atlantic. This sympathy the Mexican Creoles
could not afford to lose. They therefore effected
this object by so arranging the law of debtor and
creditor, that the former was bound to serve the
latter while he might be indebted to him. The
wealth of the country was in the hands of the
Creoles-thc lands monopolized by them
the large landholder had only to advance a few
dollars to the native to keep him in debt for life
The landowner had q store or shop on his place, at
which the laborer obliged to buy all he wanted,
at the price which might be asked and as his
wages would barely support himself or family under
system of far-dealng, it is evident that, under
such one, once in debt, he was debtor for life
md worse, the obligation descends to his children
Hence arose the classes of Haciendados and Peones
he former comprising most of the Creoles, and the
after composed of the native Indians. This con-
llon of things differs from our domestic slavery
only IN the fact that In infancy and old age, in sick
ness and in want, the master has no care for and
is put to no expense on account of his slave.
The lndians-who are, by law and OIL paper,
free, and the equals of the whites, who are by
nature disqualified for servitude Il and not as is
The case of the negro, contented and happy in |
slavery-have risen against this manifest oppres-
sion. In Guatemala they effected revolution and |
took possession of the government. In Venezuela
md other of the South American Republics, they
are doing the same thing. In Yucatan the whites
have shown themselves as pusillanimous in resist
ance as they were cruel in oppression, and unless
he United States interferes the Indians will effect
heir revolution there. In other parts of Mexico
he present war has utterly disorganized the white
Or partly white population the numerous battles
which have been lost have taken from them all
opinion of their strength, the prestige of the con-
quest; and should they be foolish enough to make
oeace with the United States, our army will have