The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-03
The ". 0. Picayune of Thursday last, refer


ring to the last advices from Mexico, says
The CONDITION OF MExIco.--It needs no sus-
pcion of premeditated bad faith, and no sug-
gestion of any deep calculation of policy, to &C
count for the failure of the Mexican Congress
to act finally on the Tehuantepec contract with
Mr.. Sloo The news from the city of Mexico
of the closing scenes of the Congress suffici
emily explains the neglect Public affairs were
in the last state of confusion, and all the func-
tionaries of State--Executive and Legislative
in condition of positive despair The utter
bankruptcy of the treasury was admitted, and
no resource was known for even temporary
supply. The administration was totally with
out money, and the legislature neither could
nor would give assistance. The message of the
President, stating the public restitution, recev
ed scarcely patient hearing. His request for
certain extraordinary powers, with which to act
in the emergency, was fatty refused and thus
the members disbanded, leaving the country
without money or means of raising it, and the
executive destitute and powerless. 1t is like n
general abandonment of the country to its fate,
4 tacit consent that the whole frame OF govern
ment shall Dissolve unless solne revolutionary
chief shall seize upon power with strong hand,
and by an act of energy beyond the Law, give
something like vigor to administration. The
common sentiment of the country appears to be,
that the whole fabric of government is about
TO tumble into pieces, and that the people of
themselves are incapable Of arresiing its de-
struction or demonstrating il upon basis prom
sing stability They wait with resignation, if
not desire, for some daring hand to seize upon
the supreme authority, and we believe that
many of them regret that the controversies with
the United States have not produced war, out
OF which might have sprung permanent occu-
patton of the whole country by the Americans.
They would be happy to have government
provided for them, which would support itself
without their active interference, and would be
powerful enough TO maintain tranquility. III Is
an unhappy and misDanaged country, which is
given over to despair among its best citizens,
aud to the spoil of ntrguers and usurpers.
In this state Of affairs everybody was expect.
| ing a coup d'etat The ship of State was aban.
doned somebody was looked for to take pos.
session, and attempt TO guide it, if only for the
| sake of the spoils which are yet in the hull
| The rumors of coup d'etat had been current
for a week or ten days before the latest dates
received, and nobody appeared to know where
il was to come from. 1t was TO take place il
was necessary as the only thing that could keel
| the sembance of government together. Ye
we do not find it stated who is to be the hero o
the day, or what are to be his means. Evidentl,
he would be welcomed as o. beuefactor; blu
\ somehow the man is not ready, or they have
none who is disposed to undertake the herculear
task of giving Mexico a government e' '.H'
! In this state of confusion and impending dis
4 solution il is not Mt all surprising that the Con
gress, on it's last day, should not have occupied
itself with contract upon the right of way
/ a L. a.. ~ rrap ryip not IN a
existence, it was hardly to be expected the
would dilate understandingly upon engagement
4 binding the faith Of future governments, ant
making stipulations running through half cen
fury.