Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-05-19
ProeIaualIoa Of sa... Anna.

MExIcANs:-On putting my foot on the soil Of
my country, / salute you with the liveliest emo
ton. Ny breast palpitated with tenderness
from the moment that my eyes began to discov-
er from the shores the elevated mountains
which indicated the proximity Of land, eve
rything in which is dear to my heart, and in
which everything recalls to me the most CRATE
full remembrances.
You have summoned me, believing that
should beuseful in freeing you from that state
of anarchy and dissolution into which you have
fallen; and have not hesitated to listen to
your voice. You have me now upon your soil, /,
resolved TO devote all my strength to an object
so important. But If have been ready to obey
your call, it was with the belief that could
count upon your hearty cooperation. Ny firm
resolution viii be of no use, to eonsecrate my
self entirely to the salvation Of my country, if
each one of you does not aid me by eo-oPera-
ting with all your power for the attainment Of
these purposes.
Far from thinking of avenging myself for
ancient injuries, let all those who have sought
to be my enemies dismiss all fear. All past is
forgotten; and on treading the soil of my eoun-
Try, / present to all the hand of friendship
Neither have come to aid or assist any partie-
ular party come alone to raise the sacred
standard Of the Union, and ] summon all Mex
leans to follow 1t, whatever may have been their
opinions hitherto. Every one whose heart
beats and responds to the voice Of his country,
he is my friend-he is 4ny companion.
Mexicansl We have been too long in pursuit
Of chimerical ideas-tOo long time have we
lost in intestine dissensions. A mOurnful real
lty has come at last to relieve us from this af
fiicting error. Cast your eve over the map of
your country, and you will perceive great part
of our territory has been lost. Examine the
tfna ,f al
find only disorder abuse, and ruin. What is
your credit among foreign nationsL What esti-
nation do you enjoy among foreign people,
Where Is the army in whose ranks have had
the honor TO fight-that army which achieved
your independence-in which it Is my glory to
have had no small part; that army which | con-
Quoted across the deserts-and conquering diff
ficulties which seemed insupcrable-led to the
frontier of the Republic, whose boundaries a
foreign enemy had invaded, and on which
combatted, though with little fortune, yet not
without honor, when your capital was occupied
by your enemiesI
Mexicans, let Us turn our reflections upon
ourselves. Let Us profit by the severe lessons
of experience. Let US repair the errors we have
committed. You have me here to contribute
my part toward those honorable reparatiOns.-
Labor with me in good faith for this glorious
work, and to-day we can achieve for our country
national honor, and name that we shall not
blush to publish.
Soldiersl Companions in arms! Come at once
TO your old General who has conducted YOU
heretofore with glory-who has never aban-
dOned you in n moment of misfOrtune-whU
bears upon his body honorable wounds, ,-and
who has exposed with you his bosom to the
balls Of the enemy in the days of your rever-
ses- Listen now to voice not unknown to
you. COME to your General and your friend
Restore yourselves to your noble and illustrious
profession, from which an attempt has been
made to separate you. And although the rela-
tions of friendship which exist among all na-
tions, and which we ought to cultivate with
careful attention, do not now make necessary
your arms, vet let us be ready, if the national
honor should demand il to prove before all the
world the valOr that has ever warmed the bOs-
oms Of Mexican soldiers.
Mexicans, Of all classes, let the day of my re-
turn to your country be day Of general recon
ciliation; and let the jubilee which causes me TO
find myself among you, assure me that it will
find you all coming to, and united around, the
National misunderstanding you all cry out,
with the same union and enthusiasm, as in
1921, " Viua la PGtria, Vira Ia IRdependeneiG." /"
These are the desires with which respond to
your call. These are the views Of your COM
patriot and friend
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.
Heroic, Vera Cruz, April 2nd, 1853.