The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-18

lnQlnerence In TINS quarter OF tne WoTlu. al
ready master Of large section of populous
country, Alvarez has dexterously drawn Santa
Anna into the Businesses where the rebellion
arose, and has made his own way into the open
country between Acapulco and the city OF
Mexico. One of the first fruits Of this able
manGuvre was the capture of several hundred
mules laden with supplies and forage for the
regular army and it is not unreasonably anti
cipated that this advantage will be followed by
others more signal still. The most lively APP
prehension reigned at the capital when our last
advices left. Great efforts were being made by
the Mexican correspondents of the Cuban Jour-
nals-who are Of course in the interest Of the
Dictator-to misrepresent his losses, and con-
ceal the victories Of his antagonist. But i'm
partial writers seemed even to fear that the city
Of Mexico would follow the example Of Quere-
taro, and fall, partly by the act OF its own in
habitants, into the hands Of the insurgents.
Should Alvarez be strengthened by body Of
malcontents from the central and northern
States of the Mexican Union, Santa Annals
position will become extremely critical Cut
Off from his capital and his friends, and sur
rounded by savage bands Of piatos, short Of
supplies and ammunition, and embarrassed by
disaffcction among his officers, single defeat
in the open plain might end the career Of the
Dictator: and we may yet hear Of his eubarca-
ton from Acapulco under circumstances as dis
astrous as those which accompanied his escape
from Vera Cruz some nine years ago. 1t is
possible Of course that the advantage gained
by Alvarez may have been exaggerated, and
that Santa Anna will yet come out Of the war
victorious; but the chances are decidedly
against him so far. They are in fact so clearly
in favor of his antagonist thst it is quite legti
mate to speculate on the probable results of
Santa Annals expulsion.
If the presentruler Of Mexico were dethroned,
who would succeed him? Those who know the
country best seem to think that the rebel AL
varez would never be tolerated by majority
Of the Mexican people. He might be allowed to
overthrow Santa Anna, but he could not take
his place. The descendants of Spaniards would
never submit to pinto rule. 1t is more prob
able that success, for Alvarez would be the
signal for division among his followers, some of
whom would probably contest the government
with any Of the ambitious politicians Of Santa
Annals court who might aspire to succeed him.
Several factions would arise, each with its chief
and its partisans, and for some months, possibly
for some years, Mexico would be the scene Of
civil conflicts similar to those which distracted
Europe during the feudal ages Want of money
would cripple each in its turn and after apro-
tracted struggle, it is more than likely that
exhausted Mexico would meekly submit to any
chief who had the nerve to seize the supreme
power, and the resources to hold it. Meanwhile,
Of course, all the Roadway that the country has
made since the war would be lest. Trade would
the mineral resources would cease entirely
Mexican exports, small as they now are, would
be still further reduced. In fact, every evil
that could befall Mexico will be sure to follow
in the train Of the next revolution. To eyag-
gerate its miseries would be impossible.
Now, wehave the power to prevent this. We
may maintain Santa Anna Oh his throne. and
the administration are very anxions that we
should. by handing him such SUM OF money
as viii enable him to support his state and his
army. Mr.. Pierce is willing that we should
take ten millions out of our treasury and pay
them over to him for that purpose. His Cabi-
net is willing, and majority Of the Senate are
also willing. Everybody consents except the
people. and they do not consent to see their
money squandered in schemes which can result
in no good to them. 1t is clear az MONDAY
that we can derive no possible benefit either
from the reconstruction of the Mexican govern
ment or from the possession of the territory
which Santa Anna offers to sell us. Two
classes Of people will monopolze the advan-
tage to result from the plunder Of ten millions
from the United States treasury-Santa Anna
and his ministers, on the one side, aud a parcel
Of railroad spectators on the other Neither
OF these has any such claim on us as to entitle
them TO so large a measure of iiberality at our
bands. If indeed 1t could be SHOWN mat do
nation of ten millions Of money would consoli-
date the Mexican republic. and render tina.
nation reaceable, prosperous and conteated.
humanity might be urged in favor OF the gift
But we know perfectly well that the balance
which would remain after the railroad specu-
lators were satisfied would not last Santa Anna
three years, if so long. No one doubts that at
the expiration o. this period, the afa rs Of Mez-
leo would be in precisely the same position as
they now are. We may rest perfectly assured
that Santa Anna would again offer to sell as a
strip of barren land and if we did not buy It,
he would then fail as he now will.
The people Of Mexico therefore have nothing
to gain permanently by our setting up Santa
Anna. There is but one thing that we can
do for them; and that we ought % have done
in ls47. Had we then taken possession Of the
country, as we were entitlcd to do, the benefits |
that would have accrued to the people would |
have been vast add au,ding. Large RESOURCES |
which have never been properly developed |
since the war would have been now yielding !
handsome revenue. Immense districts Of fertile |
land ,..linh lLc ,,rc1ttlna a.n.n Of