The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-24
Santa Anna and Mexico,

The editor of the Baltimore .4nerican is pc
culiarly familiar with the affairs of Mexico.
and well acquainted with the statesmen and
people of that country. His speculatons may
be received therefore as possessing more value
than those of most writers who are given to
discussion of the subject. We quote from yes
terday's issue:
santa Anna has always been accustomed to
consider and speak of himself the Napoleon of
America IL is quite possible that he supposes the
moment suspicious to initiate the example of the
present Emperor ofFrance, and to adorn his brows
with the imperial diadem. Why should he not
We are sure that the men who to re his mutiated
limb from the grave in lSt5 and dragged it about
the streets of the capital; who hailed him as the
saviour OF Mexico in lS4T; who Missed him out of
the country in ls4S; and who took off his horses
and htched themselves. like mules, 20 the vehicle
that bore him to the palace in lS53-will not hest
tate ns to any demand he makes in their hour of
Illuminating abasement.
cit Is true that Iturbide tried the crown on the
Mexican mob, and did not find tito fit; but we
must not measure Santa Anna by Iturbde The
former greatly surpasses the latter in capacity
lturbide was much more of a soldier than Santa
Anna; but Santa Anna is his superior az states.
man and intriguer. The time, too, was hostile to
lturbide. He designed to force an emancipated
people, painting for democracy, into unconditional
imperialism. The shock was too violent; and he
fell before the sentiment he daringly outraged.
But Santa Anna ia not likely to disgust the peo.
pie with the proposal in 1853 ~ Iturbde was in
1871. Tbirty-three years Of incessant revolution,
during which there have been upwards of thirty
noe pronuneia'nsnfos, have prepared the people for
tba{r fat. N,ls;
missively any thing that will insure them peace
and confirmed order. They have tried democracy,
federalism, centralism, dictatorship, and federal
ian again. Nothing remains for future experience
except the empire Bonaparte has made 1t
successful in France-why should not bis imita tor
oewilder the Mexicans with a similar pageant in
| America
| Arlsta has been banished. In quitting the coun-
try the late constitutional Prssidsnt declares that
| ne wishes 'anneration to the United States, from
which there would come to Mexico an inappreci.
aoie fountain of riches and prosperity, though
mere would be lost by it that great enigmo-that
quadrature Of the circle-which General Santa
Anna calls nationality
! lhis' we think, makes up the issue between
the representatives OF the two great srties which
we have long known to exist in Mexico-the An.
nexatonists and tho Nationalist. The NATIONALLY,
which relies on an intelligent people, and a com.
munity OF political sentiment, has long ceased in
our neighboring republic. The government is ,
mere fragmentary mob of impoverished adven.
| turers; but whether the recalled Santa Anna viii
be able to supply the treasury with money, 20 az
to support an army and consolidate his power, i,
a secrst which we will not venture to guess The
fortune OF Mexico - that of faro. table. It is a
subject for bets rather than judgment"