The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-24

their own countrYmsn who favored indepen-
dence and the republic, were eager in their
adhesion to the scheme Of Santa Anna. They
at once commenced system Of entertainments
on the few liberal features which had been lefs
in the constitution of their nominal republic.
The establishment of a censorship Of the press,
restriction Of suffrage, recall OF the Jesuits,
restoration Of the powers and property Of the
priests, and decrease of the amy, followed
each other in rapid succession. Intrjgaes were
set on foot to bring over the remaining States
to the Mexican scheme and where these failed
internal discords were fomeated, and aggres-
sicns made, with the hope ofdriving reluctant
people to accept the proposed change as the
price of peace.
The right to appoint all the principal officers
in the various municipalities was early AFRO.
gated, but no sooner obtained than they
were secretly instructed to declare for
investing Carrera with perpetual and absolute
power, and for the utter subversion Of the ex-
listing civil organization. The traitors were
too distrustful Of their ability to control the
people at large to attempt submission Of the
question to the popular voice; nor dared they
submit it to the abject apology for a National
Assembly which they had hitherto used for the
purpose Of giving formality TO their DEGREES.
They feared that some clarion voice might be
raised even there which should rouse the people
to their danger and defeat the conspiracy.
Cowardly as treacherous, they pr ocured the
dictamen of the obsequious municipalities
and corporations, all Of which were duly pub
lishcd in the official gazette. Month after
month these were quietly accumulated, until
finally, in September last, they were referred
by the officers who had collected them to the
so-called Council of State" which, on the
23d of the same month, reported that
the change recommended by these various
municipalities had been effected by
the very fact Of the adoption Of the resolutions
themselves; and that the constitution Of the
State and all organizations under it had been
superseded by them. In other words, that the
resolutions of the municipalities, whether sug-
gestive or advisstory, had all the force Of an
organic act, and were equivalent to the resolu-
ton of constituent or constitutional assembly
called with special reference to the change.
This monstrous doctrine, or rather this bold
fraud on the people of the State, was promul-
gated by the Council in the folio wing terms
The corporations indicate that their desires should
be submitted to the action Of the Assembly, but the
Council have arrived at the conclusion that there
power capable Of debating resolutions making declara
tons upon existing fact They consider the fact e.
the OF Carrera with absolute and perpetual
powsr established by the manifestations of the depart
ments that 1t is superior to present political ogan
cation, and which cannot be limited circum
scribed BY the provisions Of the constitutional act
It further appears to us that the Council 0! State
well because the subject superior to their attributes
because they lire not competent to meet by any
luton they might take the magnitude Of the matter in
MEANS apparently legal which they might adopt in the
premises would be no more than vain formula, which
would derac from the force of the truth and therefore
think it most appropriate merely to suggest the
monies which should be observed in carrying out the
change.
With these extraordinary declarations the
Council proceeds to regulate the order Of cere-
monies and proceedings for the day when Car
rera is to be invested formally with the "per-
petual Presidency and right to name his sue
cessor," and when the last form of republican
ism shall disappear from that devoted country,
where its spirit is already extinct.
In Mexico, republicanism expires under
the fraud of a pretended popular election, and
in Guatemala unAer the fraud of municipal
resolutions. In both cases the people, robbed
Of every means whereby they could make
themselves heard. are crushed under the heel
Of INSCRIPTIONS force, and the power of ma
chineYy which they cannot resist. The next
act of the drama, which, but for its melancholy
results, would better deserve the name of a
farce, will be the aggregation Of Guatemala to
the Empire Of Mexico, and the direction Of
their combined power against those States fur
therto the southwark, which intrigue, aided by
artful distractions, may not, in the meantime,
bring into the scheme of the Mexican usurper.
The extent of support which he may receive
from the monarchies Of Europe, either in the
form OF sy mpathy or material aid will depend
much upon events in that quarter of the world
which even now alone prevent him from receiv.
ing their open concurrence.
MECHANICS MEETNG-DANGER-We per-
ceive tendency in some Of the sentiments ex-
pressed at the mechanics meetings of the past
week to the law of physical force and the dis
turbance of the peace and good order of society.
Such sentiments at this crisis are dangerous
play things, and we warn our working classes
against being led astray by any disorganizing
and revolutionary advice. The mischief will
recoil most heavily upon themselves. Take
care. There is nothing in the recollection Of
the riotous scenes of 1886 to encourage their
repetition. On the other hand, our wealthy
fellow citizens should remember that starving
men are easily melted to the law of the strong
arm; and that the laws are powerless if not
sustained by the good will Of the masses of the
people spirit of patience and loyalty to
society on the one side, and Of open handed
generosity and Cancellation on the other, will
weather us smoothly through the winter. With