The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-03

The ~ O. Piedyune of Thursday last, refer
ring to the last advices from Mexico, says
THE CoSDITIoS OF MExco.--It needs no SUE
picion of premediiated 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 Tehusntepec contract with
Mr.. Sloo. The news from the city Of Mexico
Of the closing scenes Of the Congress sutiici
emily explains the neglect. Public afflirs were
in the last state Of confusion, and all the func-
tionaries of Sate-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, receiv.
ed scarcely patient hearing. His request for
certain extraordinary powers, with which to acl
in the emergency, was fatty refused and thus
the members disbanded, leaving the country
without money or means Of raising u, and The
executive destitute and powerless. II is like a
general abandonment Of the country to IL fate,
n tacit consent that the whole frame Of govern.
ment shall dissolve, unless some revolutionary
chief shall seize upon power with strong hand,
and by an act Of energy beyond The law, give
something like yigor 10 administration. The
common sentiment Of The country appears 10 be-
that the whole fabric Of government is about
to tumble into pieeesrAnd that the people Of
themselves are incapable Of arresting its de-
struetion or rcconstructing IL upon basis prom
ising stability. They wait with resignation, If
not desire, for some daring hand 10 seize upor
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 a government
provided for them, which would support itself
without their active interference, and would be
powerful enough TO msintain tranquility. il is
an unhappy and mismsnaged country, which is
given over 10 dcspsir among its best citizens,
and to the spoil Of intriguers and usurpers.
In this state Of affairs everybody was expect
ing coup d'etat The ship Of State was aban.
doned somebody was looked for 10 take pos
session, and attempt 10 guide il, If only for the
sake Of the spoils which are yet in the hull.
The rumors Of a coup detat had been current
for week or ten days before the latest dAtes
received, and nobody appeared 10 know where
il was 10 come from. IL was 10 take place II
wns necessary ns the only thing that could keep
! the semblance Of government together Yet
we do not find il stated who Is to be the hero Of
the day, or what are 10 be bis means Evidently
he would be welcomed as benefactor; bui
somehow the man is not ready, or they have
none who is disposed to undertake the herculean
task Of giving Mexico government.
In this state Of confusion and impending dis.
solution, il is not at al surprising that the Con.
gress, on its last day, should not have occupied
itself with a contract upon the right Of way
Abandoning the task Of preserving q national
existence, IL was hardly TO be expected they
would dikie pnderstandingly upon engagements
binding the faith Of future governments, and
making slpustions running through half a cen.
fury.