Columbia gazette., 1854-01-07
SANTA ANNA.

Prominent incidents in the life of tn
present ruler of Mexico are recited i
the subjoined extract from the New Or
leans Picayune. A sketch is also give
OF the character of one who is certainl
to be regarded among the most notabl
man in power, Of the present political era
At this particular juncture in the affair
of the adjacent republics, glance a
the history Of the chief actor in many
revolutions made and quashed, may
prove acceptable:
There are probably few men living
whose histories will exhibit a web of So
strikingly varied and contrasted colors,
who have been so high and so low as the
ex-President.-Starting in life with a
name wholly obscure and unknown, he
has rendered it familiar in ali corners of
the world. Commencing as rcyalist,
he has been republican, a federalist
and centraiist, democrat and an aris-
tocrat, as the emergencies Of the moment
seemed to require. IN 1921 he assisted
in expelling the royalist from Vera Cruz
and obtained the command of the city
under Iturbide. In 1922 he was de-
posed, and began war against his late
superior, and succeeded in overthrow
ing him. Foiled in his personal aims
by the final results of this movement,
he retired, but only to foment another.
In 1898 he supported Guerrero against
Pedrazza, and was made commander of
the army. In 1880 he went over to the
side Of Podrazza, fought and conquered
his former friends, and intrigued for the
Presidency. In 1888 he obtained the
office he sought, and was recognized as
President. Thus far his life had been
successful-his objects gained-his ends
secured. The changes he made invari-
ably rcdounded to his benefit. The bat
ties he fought were always won. The
party ne favored were sure Of success.
His political tergiversations were mex
cusable, but they were gilded by victo-
ry. His treacheries were startling, but
few cared to talk about them. He was
the favorite Of the army, and the army
was sovereign. In 1885 the reform
party, under the leadership of Laca.e
cos; proclaimed against him, and four
provinces joined the insurrection. La
catecos was conquered, the reform party
annihilated by death or exile, and San
ia Anna became Dictator. His star
was still in the ascendant, but it soon
waned. The adhesion he gave in to the
central party, aid the subsequent abro-
Cation OF the liberal constitution of 1924
induced the American colonists in Tex
as to proclaim their independence. Of
the result Of that movement we need not
speak.
The success which had hitherto inva
variably attended the military move
ments of Santa Anna failed him in the
efforts he made for their subjucation.
At San Jacinto he was conquered and
captured.
Out Of the gloom Of defeat and cap
tivity-marvelously preserved from
death he richly merited-this political
changeling emerged only to recover the
supremacy he had lost and increase the
fame he had won. The mutilation he
suffered at Vera Cruz redounded to his
good, and has ever since remained the
incontestible and incontrovertible eyi-
dence of a patriotism that never existed
and bravery that vas without being.
In lS4l, after series of incidents that
would be deemed improbable in Perez
Forest, OR the Romance of the Cid, he
again reached the Presidency and ruled
imperially for four years. The revolu-
tion of Parades hurled him from power
and the Administration Of Herrera made
him fugitive. The American war re-
called him to rank and Importance. It's
close drove him once more into exile.
Another revolution has paved the way for
another recall, and Santa Anna again
sits supreme over the fortunes of Mex
leo.
Santa Anna is a man possessed Of
some positive traits and qualities He
may be liar, a rascal, a gambler, an as
sassin-he may be whatever his enemies
proclaim him to be-and We are inclin-
ed to think that they are not far from
the truth. But he allows no one else to
rob-he strings up all other murderers
and assassins. He rules by means that
arc reprehensible, for ends that are self
ish, through tools that are dyed in ras-
cality; but he maintains Government
makes wars and treaties, quells revolts
and gives to the nation nationality she
has never possessed under other rulers.
A Steamship nearly one-eighth of
mile long, is building at Liverpool. She
"a fo have lido vhnoIs and q o-oooI}o.