The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-04-12
Mexico and her Prospects,

The accession of SANTA ANNA to the Presi
dency OF Mexico is an important event to that
unfortunate republic and an important event in
the career OF that man of strange and varied
fortunes. Rich in every thing but Industry
and skill, Mexico, lacking these, is among the
most helpless and degraded of nations. Brave
In every thing but action, and eloquent and
wise in speech, SANTA ANNA, though popular
and admired, has ever proved most impotent
| for good. He enters upon the station to which
he has been called appealing to the pride and
| warllke passions of his countrymen as the only
feelings he can arouse TO sustain him ia last
desperate effort for the preservation of her in
dependence.
we LOOK 70 the commencement of his ad-
mlnlstratlon with concern, but without hope.
The era OF hope for that nation is past. Dis
tracted and disaffected at home. there is no
strength nor power in her government; and in
her relations with the world at large she com
| mands no consideration beyond the hopes that
arise in other nations of appropriating to them
selves the wealth within her domains that she
can neither profit by nor protect
How strikingly is exempliied, in the com.
parison between the two republics of North,
America, the influence of intellectual and rel-
glous freedom on the one hand, and of igno-
rance and higotry on the other Neither race,
nor climate, nor soil, nor original nationality
nor all Of these together, will serve to explain
the great disparity. There are parallels of lat
itude, there are similarities in climate, there
are Identities of origin in various sections of the
two countries; but there are no social nor po-
litical resemblances. Freedom of thought,
freedom of conscience, and freedom of action,
reflect their light upon the intellectual, moral,
and physical world around US; while mental
imbecility, moral degradation, and physical
enervation characterize the wide regions over
which the renowned SANTA ANNA has been
summoned to preside.
In the premature decay of that nation we
are regarded by her as her great and envlous
oppressor. But with how little truth The
number of those of our citizens who were
averse to making conquesrs of her soil was
very considerable, it is true; bat their oppesi
ton was based upon their unwillingness that
our nation should possess it rather than upon
the conviction that Mexico had not offended
against the principles of comfy and justice,
nor are they yet convinced Of the disturbances
of the acquisitions we have made. Should
differences yet arise between the two coun.
tries, we would regret the absence of all other
means of indemnity than that of the acquisition
of territory. We hold in reverence the decla-
ration which forms the fundamental principles
of our Constitution, that governments derive
their just powers from the consent of the gov
erned;" and we regard all avoidable conquests
as in palpable violation of this principle. Ter
ritory thus acquired forms, indeed, dangerous
and Improbable element in our national do
main, tending inevitably to weaken the fealty
Of our people and the bonds of our Union. For
the acquisitions we have in past times thus
made, may we hereafter have no cause to re-
pent; and, in the future, may the necessity of
fresh conquests never be impressed upon the
minds Of our people.