The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-29

esiMiaak faults into philanthropy Gifted with an ex
i1anASy power Of expression. he used his splendid
lanEoo9e 10 impose by sonorous periods upon the ere
duly Or fancy OF his people. No one excelied him in
lngshuuy eoquences b0mbast, gasconade or dalectic
sknl When al the head OF power he lived constantly
~ gorgeous military pageant and, perfect OF
dramatic elect upon the exctable masses OF his
trymen, he forgot the sxhumanon OF The dishonored
ooues q Iole1 70 supennend the majestic nterment OF
the limb ne had lost at Vera Cruz.
X VIII be easily understood how such man, in the
revolutionary times Of Mexico, BECAME neither the
Cromwell nor The washington Of his country. The great
talent winch ne PROFESSIONALLY possessed taught him that
was easier 10 deal corupuy with couupons than TO
rise 10 The dignity OF loyal Ictormer. He and his
country mutually acted and reacted upon each other
NeilheT student nor traveller, he knew nothing OF
human character. except he il exhibited at home
and there be certainly sometimes found for
verify and even despotism Il 10 undenable that he
endowed with peculiar genius but II was that kind of
energetic genius whictmay raise dexterous man from
dSgfaces de1ea evefses, rather than sustain him in
power wh~n he has reached it. He never was popular,
or relied tn success the democratic sentiment OF his
country ascertaned, at early day. that the people
would n~nyor his aspirations, and, abandoning fede-
rssn, n9Arew himself in the embrace Of the central.
lists IQGnImy and the church estbli5hment-combin
Tor mntuA protection under his auspices-were the only
two elements Of his political strength and, long
nc welded their mingled power. he was enabled 70 do
his country. AS military dsnagoxss hs wss often
yauable even to honcs paos, who willing to call
him s0rower foramohthi to the county either
prants Until the army was destroyed Santa Anna
could not fall would the military politicians yield to
The civil AS long as this dangerous chief and his myr-
mdons remained in Mexico, either in out of power,
every citizen felt that he suffering under the rod OF
despoi, or that the progress of his country would
be parayzed BY the wand OF unpIincipled agtator
But with the army reduced to the requirements OF
police system, and Santa Anna beyond tine limits Of the
republic the. nation may breathe with freedom and
vigor;, -.
''The Mexican native in whose veins there are almost
a
indolent and often vicious The bland climate and his
natural temperament pIedispose him for an ndugent.
character may be fairly attributed to the want Of educa-
ton early self restraint, and the disordered political state
OF his coutry which has produced bad effect upon social
life With quick and often solid talents, the Mexican
citizen is not devoted early in his career, by thoughtful
parents, either to Intellectual pursuits TO that mental
discipline which would regulate an impulsve tempsra-
men, or mt him for the domestic scientific political
position he might attain in other countries under differ
ent social regime He recoects that in the best days OF
the colony his family had been distinguished powerful,
and rich and he finds il difficult in his present mpover.
lshed sate to forget this tradionary position. Accord
ingly, he upon the memorial basis OF the past as
n II were still within his grasp control This renders
him thriitiessly lmproviden Mexicans still speak OF
The epoch when they their parents "swam in gold"
dispensed ducas TO the dependans, on whom they now
reluctantly bestow coppers Besides this their ndoent
indifference, which almost amounts TO Arab faalism
makes them not only subseen the past but idolaors
OF hope which is quite as fallacous. According to
Their pellet better times are continually approaching.
their broken perled fortunes. Pacieacia y bara
jar patience and. shuttle the cards'-is maxim on
the lips OF every one who IS overthrown by revolution,
Tor want of dollar. II you inquire as their prospects,
their friends, their interests, indeed in regard 10 al
most any subject that requires some reflection for
sonable reply, they answer with the habual, QUEEN
,abe Nv can tell p which, in the vocabulary of
a Mexican is the quod erat deH0nstrandunl'
OF any social or political problem.
Such qualities and habits do not prepare nation for
queniy find throughout Mexico universal predispo
stfon to dependence upon Others or TO blind reliance
upon chance The drum and the bell which ring forever
n cars in Mexico apprze US that immense numbers
who possess sufficient iluence introduce them into
the army the church. repose comfortably under the pro-
lection OF those Two eleemosynary institutions Such is
moreover the in all the administrative departments
Of the government Indeed, the State only to be
consttuonay organized in order TO supply the wants OF
those il employs. TO found genleel hospital in which
intriguing iders supported either al the expense OF in
dusirous by contracting national loans which may
finally oyerwhelm the republic.
The church. the army, and.the government are thus
three permanent for young persons who too
ndoen engage in mercantile pursuits, TOO proud to
stoop from their hereditary family rank either into trade
or the workshop.
bad as are these social features there another which
may be eckoned still There thousands in the
republic whose daily reliance is exclusively on fortune,
and for whom the OF card decides whether they
10 return to their comfoess families with plentiful
dinner. without cent upon which they may to-mor
70 Tecommence their with luck at the gambling
table This is dreadful vice when becomes habual
among naturally susceptible, thrfess. and procras,-
mating people like the Mexcans Prodigal not only OF
their gold but OF their time they squander the latter with
out ever rejecting that IL is the capital OF industrious
men. They regard business as a burden, and put oil,
whenever they are permitted debt, engagement, or
a duty hasd mdndna'-unt 10 morrow.
"We are perhaps wrong in alleging that every duty is
procrasnaied, and life given up exclusively TO pleasure
for the genuine Mexican is strict and punctua in the
fcrnance Of at least, the exiernas OF religion. The
pous observances OF the church are, however
generally rigorous among the women than the men"