The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-22
The Condition Of Mexico.

From the CbaIeston Mercury. Aug. lS
The condition of this Q uutry hal almost ceased
10 attract attention Ill, very recent disclosures in
dictated that II Likely again TO be the theatre
OF revolution. We pave tbese indications both
from the Pacific and from the States bore eing on
Texas; snd some advices from q reliable source in
the interior show that the government II Santa An
NJ is totteIing and rumbling to its centre.
The Dictator hss disap oinied all parties. The
circumstan OF His recall led to the hope that he
woad be able to restore peace to distracted coun-
ny, to give system and efficiency to the internal
administration, to revive commerce, which had
nearly persisted under the oppressive restrictions
and bad faith OF preceany administrations. The
republicans believed that for the sacrifice OF some
liberty, they should gsic order the security Of pro-
perry, and the revival OF the national spirit.
The mcnsrcbists believed they should gain firm
and consistent Centralized government The former
have found tyranny severe beyond all former pre-
cedent, without the compensation Of order, system
st administration, Or security OF property. The
menarchsts discover that the representative OF their
princip leg, wit manifest enough desire Tor the
distinction, has peitner courage to assume the
crown, DOR ability to wielo the power.
That Santa Anna aimed at restoring the empire
in Mexico does not admit OF doubt. His proceed
iugs were carefully copied from those OF Louis Ma.
poleou. Dolly in place Of the great Napoleon Of
Paris the brain anO heart of France, and half mil.
lion OF disciplined SO diers Santa Anna had nothing
better than the yer, equivocal memory Of Hurhide,
whose brief moment Of power was folio xed by ex.
lie, q return without partzans, and death without
pity.
Besides this, Santa Anna had capital without
ascendancy over iuion, and an army without dis.
cipllne, without spirit, and without reputation.
Rather beegary elements for tue foundation Of
monarchy. To these he sdeed, after much coaxing.
he Chusch-or all such of the clergy as still fondly
adhered to tie ioen,jscat on # Church and State.
The unien could be very sincere. for the clergy
cannot have forgotten that formerly he was ready
to al his Golfers by coz fscs'ing their wealth
With these resources, Santa Anna commenced his
approaches to ruyvity. The plan Of Iguaa, by
which 1turbioe was made En- error, was revived In
the public mind: the rorrait of the defunct Enpc.
ror IL al the glory of prncely robes and decorations
wab lung up in every shop and the son Of Iturbide
was indicated the political heirat Law Of tue die
tator. Finally came the grand pageant Of the re-
stored orders Of merits sort Of fncipient nobility,
copied also from his prototype. In the midst ofthts
anne pouring in the pronuncamentos Of the States,
dominating him Dictator for life, with all manner OF
adulatory professions.
There was but one step more-to proclaim him.
self Emperor. But he shrunk from this step. He
gaired no credit for moderation by tho has iu-
Deed taken good care to allow himself such Gre
dit-and friends and enemies interpreted his for
Il was fatal weakness and from that moment the
frbrc of his power has been trembling
Tie revolt OF Alvarez the feudal chief Of the
State of Guerrero, followed, and it was formidable
for three reasons: for hs prudent and determined
character. the inaccessible nature Of great part
OF the State ana gre test Of all, because Alvarez
appealed directly and strongly to the principal Of
State sovereignty, and demanded the restoration
OF the confederation,
Santa Anna Murdered down upon Guerrero, as
be had once upon q time Numbered down upon
Texas, and the result was almost the same His
army was disastrousIy routed, with the loss of pro-
visions arms and munitions; aud Santa Anna him
self escaped capture only by the treachery Of Q
petty oheer He reached the capital almost alone,
ard the triumphal hopoB that were trumped up to
hide his disgrace might much more apr opriatey
have been EXCHANGED tor public thanksgiving for
his escape with life.
With the exception Of very small district the
State ~ Ia frpo firm oil onI
all fear Of the central government Tie port Of AGA
pulco has been subjected to q pretended loskade,
but so feeby enforced as scarcely to interfere with
the freedom Of trade; and tho last accounts state
that even the pretence Of blockade has been dis
continued.
This practical independence Of one State. and the
powerful appeal it has made to the old republican
and State rights IDEAS Of the Mexicans, have pro.
founoy aetated the people throughout the country.
Tho adjoining State of Michoacan has pronounced
in favor of Alvarez, and in an encounter with the
government forces Is said to have gained decided
advaniags From many towns and districts, the
Chief OF Guerrero has received assurances Of sup
port, and no has already opened communications
with nearly all carts OF the country. The central
government Is full Of trouble and fearful f0rebod-
lngs. Extraordinary Efforts made TO strengthen
it by the severest restraints the press and liberty
OF speech. By speciel edicts 1t is made crime, va
nousiy punished with death, imprisonment aud
ness or to report that his armies have been defeat
cd. DO, &c. These are symptoms Of weakness and
terror and viii be SO Interpreted even by his own
popuiace. Vera Cruz Is so strongly suspected Of
dsafitctoa that il has been declared in state of
siege, and thus the disanection made sure of. The
States this aide Off Sierra Madfe are ripe for re-
volt and already scarcely acknowledge the suprc-
macy OF the central government.
The secret Of this early decay Of the power of
Sarta Anna seems to be the intense aud narrow
seshshness with which be has used his opportuni
ties There were few brave words uttered at the
commencement Of his government, and With these
il Was expected TO satisfy the Mexican people, who
haS hoped go much from his experience, his abiii-
ty ard his patriotism. II they have been bitterly
deceived in him, he has been scarcely less go in
them. They fondly looked for the renovation Of the
nation at his hands; instead Of this they have
gained . narrow souled and cowardly tyranny. He
looked fer the tame submission OF people wearied
with revolution and exhausted by anarchy. and
has found after . brief moment Of unresisting
stupor that he is surrounded with circle Of
burning hostility, before which his sham laurels
wither, and his paper throne crumbles and turns
to ashes. tits fate which be has invited and de-
served.