The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-19
AFFAIRS in MEXICO.
I>nuortant Document OF General Arista.

The latest news from this distracted republic CON-
prised the coup ds main OF the ad interim President
Cevalos in dssolving Congress ut the point of the
bayonet He win rule supreme dictator until the
assembage of national convention, convokedb by him
for the 10th of June, for the modification OF the
constitution. Private accounts received by us, de-
scribe Cevallos as a man of considerable energy
talent and address. lie was president of the
Supreme Court and by virtue OF his office Vice
President Of the republic, when the resignation OF
General Arista, and the consequent action oil the
Chamber of Deputies, placed him at the head OF
Mexican affairs In person he is man OF middle
height, rather thin, with an intelligent countenance-
He is supported BY the partzans OF Arista and re-
tains in Office the persons appointed by his predeces
sor by which matters are kept somewhat quiet
Cant Mea son of the general OF that name who
had been one Of Aristas aides-de camp, and had
left the city with him, has returned and been ap-
pointed to the same post near the person OF Ceya-
los.
As the official document in which General Arista
gave his resignation has not been hitherto published
in this country, give readers translation OF
that important and interesting paper
GENERAL ARIsTA's vALEDIcroRY
Called by The vote Of my countrymen, to occupy
the chief magistracy OF the republic, have, IN tne
time and forms prescribed by law, sincerely anu
soemnly sworn to consecrate myself entirely 10 It's
service bv strictly maintaining the institutions gov
erning the nation. In the hope that the appica-
ton Of these institutions would suffice TO heal its
wounds and to repair the disasters which have led
to the perpetuation Of the revolutionary regime,
directed all my efforts towards the re-establishment
of confidence and OF good connections between the
local and central authorities; convinced that union
and harmony alone rive strength and stability, and
that political associations such as only be
preserved by concord among those who are charged
to watch over their common interests.
Federal institutions-as the globe which we in
koSSt fatt arntln
of the particles which compose them In this convc-
ton, have administered the affairs of the republic
during the two years which few days will COM
plete. Sustained by it, have conscientously sworn
to neglect means, no effort and even no personal
sacrifice to reach the end which had proposed to
myself. In the same sentiment, address myself TO-
day 10 the representatives of the nation to restore to
them the power which they have placed in my
hands.
In taking resolution Of extreme nature.
yielding neither to the events which threaten the
government and institutions, to the dangers
which they present still less to sentiments to which,
by Divine favor, have ever been stranger. yield
to the total want of means to govern events and par
ticuary to the legal impossibity OF acquiring those
means.
The facts which at this moment place the nation
on the edge of an abyss have announced themselves
since my advent to power, through the treasury
crisis. From that crisis have sprung the opposition
and the difficulties which, carefully operated upon
by party spirit have succeeded recently in overthrow
ing everything, to the respect, dignity, and
moral power of authority.
DESTROYS Of relieving and remedying the effects Of
the grave error committed on point OF legislation,
and OF the most vital Importance for the maintenance
of the institutions of the country have decided as
last and extreme measure, to implore the co-opera
ton Of those who should have the most interest in
saving them but the government has met, there,
only bitter irony, which has prepared the general
ruin.
the ministry, which it made the object of its attacks
Though persuaded OF the little for these host
lities, changed the cabinet and, by novelty in
our political practice stripped myself even Of the
prerogative OF filing all vacancies calling to my side
persons exempt from party prejadices whose ante
cedents were honorable; consecratng myself in con-
junction with them, 10 the pure and simple acts of
administration, and avoiding any theoretical queS-
tions which might re-awaken party passions. This
ministry disappeared under the same influences, and
Dfter it succeeded, with alarming rapidly, pro-
positions of portfolios, nterms and vacancies. with
but the possibility OF finding means 10 surmount the
hvinoble resstances Which have at length parayzed
HE action Of the government while, from day 70 day
Ne anonniAs were increasing in number and fortiyng
themselves.
The difficulties which have thus rapidly glanced
at might leave some hope of remedy, in the complete
Ahnegation with which | endured events-eyhaust-
ing measures OF kindness and prudence to avoid the
scandal and the consequence OF rupture but hope
was entirely lost from the day in which the person
and the dignity of the first magistrate Of the nation
were viied and violently attacked without the Gull
pfits suffering salutary and deserved chastisemen.
This was an end, at once not only to its power but
TO the government itself, for when attacks of such
nature are directed against the person Of the Pres
dent, they necessarily strike the executive power
whch Is an institution and the keystone Of the social
edifce.
The efforts of the enemies of the government, and
Of my enemies have had for their principal design to
embr0 the supreme authorities. have neglected
no means of warding of this result: have neglected
nothing to remedy the evil which had been done in
necesstating the government to choose between two
extremes equally dangerous to escape from the VIC
lent situation in which it placed either the re-
signation of the President or revolution.
would have Immediately adopted the first Of
these measures, if | had not considered it as dis
honorng for any person, and as fatal attempt asa
political precedent. Before whom truly should fly
the first magistrate of the republic Before the IN
chained cry which pursued him since his inauguration
that is to say, since the moment when he received
from the confidence OF the nation public and une-
auvecal evidence by virtue Of which he occupied the
highest post. 1t were. therefore, en- act Of vile
cOwardice to draw back before such obstacles; il
were at the same time, the greatest injury which
could be done to social order for if Presidents were
to abandon power at the first manifestation OF the
passions of the contemplate interests which here
usrrrp the name of public opinion, presidential pc
RODS would be reckoned by days anu even Dy hours
Consequently my honor and my duty required that
should preserve my power until the impossibity Of
governing were manifested legally, and in an open
and invncible manner.
have said illegally invincible, because the adop-
ton of revolutionary measures has entered into
ny principles, preferring rather TO be sacr1ced 10
hem, rs am to-day Cafumny, which has lost no
opportunity Of presenting me under false hight,
Imposes that have still the pretension Of aspiring
absolute power, in attrbuting to me the remote
attention of making what is called in the new politi
al language, coup d ftat 1t Is certain that |
ave been stimulated to make it-that have esti-
mated all the resources and elements necessary TO
such step, and that thousand opportunities have
occurred Of realizing it, without difficulty or resist
ance but it Is equally certain that this measure has
never obtained my consent, and that, If it has not
taken place it is due only to my single will, and TO
my desire of putting an end TO revolutions. wished
nothing but legal order, and il it Interest have
determined to continue following the path Of priya-
tons of sacrifices and of humillatons, which we're
multiplied against the government, and against the
President, to nullfy its power, and to lower bis
dignity.
Behind the discredt Of authority comes still the
revolution which attacks it in its weakest point, or
under the pretext which appears 70 It the most