The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-08
Are the Spanish Americans Capable Of Self
Government

The catastrophe which has wound up the
Santa Anna regime in Mexico and once more ex-
posed that beautiful region to the miseries
of anarchy, may well revive reflection on the
question: are the Spanish Americans capable Of
governing themselves Is the Spanish mind
50 constituted that it cannot freely and fairly
exercise political rights? Whatever faults
may he imputed TO Santa Anna--and we are
certanly not here to excuse hint cannot be
denied that he gave to Mexico government
which was better than none at all, nor on the
other hand, can it be asserted with anything
like confidence that the statesmen who have
succeeded him will improve upon his system.
Without entering into the merits Of the revo-
| luton or discussing questions which are per-
haps not easily understood by foreigners, it
appears quite certain that the attitude and po-
LEY OF Alvarez, during the past three or four
I years, have been wholly inconsistent with the
maintenance Of a stable central authority in
MEXICO. IL long Slice paced the government
under the necessity Of expelling him, or abdi-
eating We do not say that he was not justified
in pursuing this course We merely wish to
note the fact; and TO add that sufficient num-
Der of the Mexican people joined him to ensure
his success What promise of stable govern
ment under new men these facts hold out, the
reader may Judge Certainly, if Alvarez or
Comonfort should fail to establish a more en-
during governments than the last, it viii be
safe to say that Mexico, like Paris, cannot be
governed.
What renders the circumstance more pecu-
liarly noteworthy at the present time is the
singular similitude between Mexico and the
other Spanish republics of South and Central
America From the Rio Grande to Cape Horn,
there is not government that is worth
twelve months purchase. 1t seems certain
that the five Central American States cannot
long preserve their present political condition.
Whatever becomes of Kinney and Walker,
a revolution is inevitable in Nicaragua, and
the embers of the war Of Morazan and Carrera
have not ceased to shoulder. Wherever the
carcass is there will the eagles be gathered to-
gether; with equal truth it may be said that
wherever rich and fertile country with a
weak government and divided population
can be found, there will flibusters and coloni-
zing freebooters, aye and conquerors swarm.
Costa Rica--the only Central American State
which since the revolution of 1921 has con-
Quoted its affairs with sense and moderation
foresees the peril already and calls on France
and England for aid; which proves that the 70
reign policy Of the Costa Ricans is not equal to
their domestic policy As for San Salvador, the
earthquake of last year has almost extinguiJ-
ed its spirit. Honduras is open to purcha-
ser and will be bought up one oSthcse days b.
New York joint stock company. Guatemala
is ripe for fresh civil war. Throughout the
whole region which once formed the flourish
ing kingdom OF Guatemala, anarchy Of the
worst kind i installed, and nothing short of a
miracle can avert the miserable dissolution
Of governments. institutions, and socie ty to-
gethcr
in the Southern continent. matters are in
the same state. Our news from the Colombian
republics and the States on the Pacific littoral
is uniformly confined to accounts OF insurrec
tons, military movements. and revolutionary
or re-actionary outbreaks. Those Spaniards
seem to live for the purpose OF cutting each
others throats OF the calm, unerring working
Of democratic institutions they have not the
slightest conception. If they elect chief. il is
mere accident; for the supreme power is &c
nerally usurped. But, whether elected or no
the chief magistrate of Spanish republic is no
sooner installed than conspiracics are set on
foot to upset him. To realize them, we must
suppose that the moment after Mr.. Pierce's in
auguration, General Scott and Mr. Seward re-
tired to Auburn and began 10 drill parcel OF
yagabonds in back yard there; that Moses
Grinnoll or some other wing furnished them
with money and muskets: that on tho dav an
pointed, our neighbors Of the 7io,cs and 7ribaae
fixed bayonets, ran over TO the City Hall
shouting Liberty and put the Mayor to death:
that the Pierce party instantly turned out and
gave than ha..lc IL Il. Park: Mai H. a,,;ss