New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-06
ANTONIO 4.
unity

ANTONIO I.
We have already laid before the public the manifesto
addressed by Gen Santa Anna to the MeIicsns on oc
casion of Transforming himself from a simple Pres
dent into Most Serene Hghness with dic.atOral pow
ers for life As usual with the effusions Of modern
Aztec genius, it was q high6Own document, fall OF
patriotism and breathing the spirit Of selfsacrce for
tie national good and glory We are now told the
General has got ready to take yet another step in the
path of power having subroitted to the people the
question of his becoming hereditary Emperor with the
title Of Antonio l. This is but rumor, which comes
ty way of Baltimore and may very possibly be premi
ture though there be doubt that the EVENT. ind
Gates fit has not yet occurred will soon be recorded
in history. The people of Mexico are ready; Ills
Serene HghDess is ready; the Halls Of the Montezu
mas are ready and there is no valid reason why the
spendors of an imperial court should not speedily be
restored to the ancient capital of the Aztecs-
Santa Anna cannot he pronounced original in his
march TOW ord Imperialism. lie has had before him
two freshly illustrous examples. Faustin rose from
General 20 be the President Of Hayti and thence TO
the throne and the purple bis path short though
bloody Napoleon III. was first Deputy in the
French Constituent Assembly, next Presleneof that
Republic swearing feay 10 its constitution, aud next
a periurer and murderer, be strobe into the Tdeces
with bis countr S freedom confscsted and her name
blsckened with disgrace No such stai1 rests the
rece Mt conduct Of Antonio J. lie ia a happier if not
better nan than either OF his prototypes, ald will
cut cleaner figure in history. lie breaks NJ solemn
oaihs and fills no graves with assasnated patriots by
becoming the absolute monarch of Mexico. We do
not hear Of reyolts and fsades as the accessories 20
i dizou thara ia Of all
freedom of course and Punishment for certain refrac
tory individuals, but such dreadful massacres as
marked tie elevation of Faustin and Napoleon.
Having thus risen to power with the assent and on
the invitation of the controlling interests of the nation
for the mass of the people have had nothing to do
with tive can only hope that the sway Of the new
Emperor may differ from his earlier career in being
useful TO the country 1t is many years since Santa
Anna began TO figure in public life, and it is impossible
through the whole to recall single act of his having
more elevated policy larger scope tn an the con
mon run of ntrgues, cabas and military plots which
render Mexican history so barren and dreary He has
done nothing but degrade and weaken the country
hitherto We shall rejoice if he does moro hereafter
Certain il is that he carry out any measure he
may desire There are no obstacles in his way. lie is
both Legislature and Executive. His power is ALSO
lutte and his responsibility at the bar of history aud hui
mainly is proportonate.
1t undensbe that one Of the first needs of Mexico
is public order Society there had fallen into anarchy
The most travelled roads infested by robbers the
public places in the cities were not safe against their
iucursi,Ds Assassination and plumber formed trade
among the populaee just as rebellion and embezzle-
meyt were the occupation of officials and military chief
ails. The Dictator has set foot sautary change
He is putting down the baDdtti and rendering country
and city safe. Military cheftans live hereafter
only bis subordnates and the plumber of the treasu
~ he intends to monOpolize. This is real service to
,Le country II makes property secure, and industry
worth pursuing. Ii may enable Mexico to recover her
losses as alone they be recovered by order iborand
thrift Nor is the political change from the Republic to
the Empire so radical as might appear. There never
was real republic in Mexico but only complication
of aggravated tyrannies. To pass from these into 4
single despotism may the rapidly preciPtae the
nation down the abyss of ruin into which it has long
been sinking But on the other hand there is chance
though but feeble one that it may safely carry
Mexico across the chasm and save her for better days
hereafter
The efficient agency which makes Santa Anna En-
peror of Mexico is the Catholic hierarchy That body
ing but adds to the sacerdotal influence the power in
herent in the possession of immense wealth The
maintenance of the Republic doomed before the clergy
big with the danger of confscaon, forced loans, and
all the losses of civil More than this, there were
men in the country who had adopted the idea that the
church had no just right to control some twohrds OF
the whole property of the nation aud that its grooming
Golfers were an outrage at to the penniess Gov
eminent and the miserable people whose toll went to
make UP the ecclesiastical revenues Here was ample
cause to alarm rich and jealous corporation, and to
enlist it on the side Of whosoever could promise
security and internal peace. OF this disposition Santa
Anna has shrewdly taken advantage. He has made Of
the church, ladder on which he has easily and safl
mounted to supreme power. The church hasfuraished
money to pay the forces with which he has oyerawed
opposition Its voice and its promptings have sweed
the acelsmstions bearing him to the throne. But
that he is there let the church beware Of him. NJ
more than other yrants will he respect the sanctiy
her riches when his imperOus desires require their ap
preparation. An ambitious and needy monarch, and
priesthood possessing wealth and authority, such a
that of Mexico cannot long coexist in harmony in tn
same country. Their mutual interest may defer th,
final catastrophe; but the struggle for supremacy
sure TO come at last and to overthrow ofthem if NJ
both
SLAVERY