The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-27

towards tina Halted States naturally occasions
mncb establishment. Reflection suggests no
motive which would justify the indulgence Of
personal animosisy at the FISK OF consequences
40 momeatous No authentic opinion of his
character iustifies the belief that SANTA ANNA
wonld risk the loss Of power to redeem the hon.
or of his country, or jeopardse the remainder
of Mexico, in an insane attempt to recover what
she has coded away. The historian. WADpY
THOMPSON, considered him an hero He pub
fishes several incidents Illustrative of his hber-
ality to individuals, and palliates, by dlstin-
gaished examples, the per6dious atrocities Of
the Alamo and Mier. MAYER, on the other hand :,
describes him as an ambitious and avaricious
intriguer, personally timid, and only resoring to
violence where it promised profit or impunity
Nor could the hope of European Intervention
have encouraged an adventurer so astute to
offer Mexico as barrier to American expan-
sion. There is still less in the domestic cir
cumstances by which SANTA ANNA is sur
rounded to explain his extraordinary conduct
An immense public debt has been scarcely re-
duced by the sale of half the territory of Mex
leo, whilst her revenues are drying up under
mlsrule and high taxes. The fugitive from
dozen fields-the exile who has illustrated the
power Of foes and the mutations of fortune,
ought, we should have supposed to appreciate
the perils of war and the blessings of peace.
But quite the contrary. No sooner is he per-
mItted to return than he plunges into the per-
secunon of his own SUBJECTS and the wanton
Provocatlon of an inoffensiye neighbor. Under
these singular circumstances, such conduct as
this is applicable.
We can offer but one solution of the puzzle.
Whether Queen CHRISTINA mas no better use for
her dollars than to invest them in the reversion
of Mexican monarchy, as has been suggested
by sons OF our contemporaries, we cannot say.
But Europe regards the United States as vast
boa, which, having swallowed Texas and
California, is now quietly coiling itself around
Tehuantepec or licking Sonora into a fit state
for deglutition. Europe would, therefore, en-
courage the establishment of any government
which will save the remainder of the Mexican
States from fate she regards almost inevitable.
This government will be imperial. But Next
co is not yet prepared for it. There are many
of her citizens who will never submit without
resistance to the restoration of the imperial or
vice regal regime. strong party would pre-
fer, with ARTsrA, annexation, or, with the
northern provinces, league of independent
States. To effect the subJugasion of his own
countrymen SANTA ANNA will require power
full army, and for the Organization of that army
he requires some excuse. The excuse is to be
sought in the national hostility to the United
States, and an army organized for a pretended
foreign war is to be employed in the reduction
of his own countrymen to obedience, as the
batteries erected for the ostepsible defence of
Paris might, to the CONSERVATION ofits citizens,
be instantly turned to its destruction.
We are induced to adopt this view from the
tone of the organ of the government of Mexico,
Ell Universal, which, under the recent decree
regulating the press, must express thsvlews of
the President
A continuous series of editorials turn upon
two points. The first discuss the total failure
of The Federal system, and the necessity Of re-
sorting to "some other"
Under the head of ga strong government"
the proposition is eBounced that there is
more wrong inflicted under weak than
powerful government. This is sustained by
allegations Of "atrocious revenge" and s.cruel
persecution" under the administrations of HER
RERA and ARlsrA, and particularly the latter.
The proposition is illustrated by the intima-
Hon that under the dictatorship of SANTA ANNA
there has been more liberty and prosperity than
at any other period. The argument concludes
BY affirming that strong government is ne
cessary to develop the elements of internal
prosperity, to recover the good name which
Mexico has lost amongst foreign nations. This
cannot be done by "the ridiculous farce of
Federation" but requires courageous heart,
a resoluts will, and powerful arm"
In reply to an assertion by the Siglo that
fifteen States are in favor of the Federal system
reformed, the organ enters upon an estimate of
the comparative population of the seven States
which are understood to be in favor of 'some
other form OF government" The result is
that almost an equal number and majority in
Influence favor 'ssome other than Federal
form of government"
The Federal Union is charged with every
evil which has befallen the country. at has
almost entirely destroyed every thing amongst
'us-the treasury, the public credit apd ma
tionality-the principle of obedience-respect
for the laws-all have disappeared before it.
1t has created misery, disaffeciiOn, the insane
pursuit of Office selishness, public demorali-
'zation, internal anarchy, and foreign peril
1t has, in fine, pushed the nation to the brink
of a preeipice, where it is on the point of de
structon, either consumed by it's elements o.
anarchy, or destroyed by the ambition of for
eign enemies"
The other theme of discussion is the dangers
Of American invasion. The purpose of th
view seems to be to impress upon the people o
Mexico the necessity of Strengthening the ex
ecutlve arm to protect the country. tits no
to be denied, however, that there exists in tn
mind of the organ great distrust of Democratic
professions, and a wholesome dread of Demo
cratic prowess.
The Democratic image perpetually presen
to the editorial imagination would seem t
be an hirsute individual, with red flame