Arkansas intelligencer., 1857-05-15
Spain and Mexico.

Whatever the actual object aimed at by
Spain in the menacing and violent attitude
she has assumed towards Mexico, il is quite
clear that the keeping mp of the little excite
ment this has caused is an essential element
| in the case. Neither the hostilites in China,
nor those in Persia, the differences between
this country and New Granada nor Ncara-
guam affairs, have led to. so much or SO fierce
demonstration from the press interested in the
respective Instances, as has this difficulty, so
audaciously aud clum>iy picked with Mexico
/ by the redoubtable Sr Sorea
The arrival Of Sr. Lafragua, the Mexican
minister, at Madrid must have at once con
WINGED the NARY aez Cabinet, and all whom di-
plomatic usages or other means may have at
forded an opportunity of acquiring an ac9uain-
tance with the proofs in his possession, that
the position of Spain in the premises WAS ut
terly unteuable. The facts of the case are so
simple; the extravaganza of the manner in
which the representative of the eXquisitely
sensitive Gachupinos had comported himself
is SO patent; the earnestnesS of the Mexican
government to do all justice, and to maintain
the frendiiest of relations with Spain are so
clear, that it is no wonder that the instant
they were exposed the world was ass sured,
through all the usual channels" ;" that all idea
of engaging in actual hostilities with Mexico
had been abandoned. 1t was to be observed,
however, that from those sources commonly
claSsed among the best informed" this iufor-
nation was accompanied by an ingenious and
quite characteristic memorandum, that this re-
suit was due entirely to the magnanimitv of
the nightly offended, and to her anxious de-
sire to maintain the best relations with Mexi-
co. Less than that, perhaps, could scarcely
be expected fom Spain under such circum-
stances; and there is nothing in it for which
Mexico need care. The affair might, there,
fore, naturally have been expected there to be
allowed to rest.
Now, however, we are assured that all these
reports are unlounded; that the preparations
previously announced as having been common
oed for an attack upon Mexico, are being Wig
orously continued, and even that France has
endorsed her action. OF the truth of the first
the persistenty asserted portion of this state
ment it is not easy to Judge; but as it is quite
within the limits Of possibility that SPAN is
fostering the excitement she has managed to
cause, no harm can afise from treating that
part OF the report for the present as well foun.
ded. The rest may, we think, safely be re-
garded with increduhty until confirmed.
BE 1t observed that, since the first notice of
the effect of Sr LatFagua'S arrival in Madrid.
no ailusion whatever TO the representation of
the facts of the case, or to the efforts he must
have made to avert hostiities, has reached us
Such particulars may have been given in Eu-
rope or even in the north, although in either
case we might reasonably expect to have been
informed OF them. If they have not been we
should place no credit whatever in the re
ports
Surprising them true, what can be the OBJ
iect of Spain! 1t was originally suggested
that this was 90 favor ministerial purposes dur
ing the elections. These are over and, there
fore, that particular motive can 10 longer ex.
ist; and We know OF no similar one that might
have taken its place. We haze On former oc-
casions shown the extreme inprotabilitv OF
any design upon Mexican territory, or Of any
resolve 10 force Santa Anna any other rul.
er upon Mexico contrary tc the will Of her peo-
pie aud the provisions of ler constitution, be-
ing entermnable even by Spain; and we nave
also pointed ont the tutiIity Of mere block
ade and bombardment, such have been spo-
ken Of as alone contemplated. We see no
reason to recede from tile position we asSum-
ed with regard to those points; and are, there
fore, driven to the necessity of considering
some other ultimate effecI really aimed at
We can at present Indicate but one proba-
ble one, and that is desire to influence the
result of the elections to take place in Mexico,
and especially that of the President The
new constitution comes into operation in Sep
tember next, aud there is not too much time
for agitation against q Congress of the present
complexion aud against Gen. Comonfort, the
prominent candidate for the first term of the
Presidency, under ii. With all the aid Of the
priesthood, the Santa Annasts, and the whole
opposition of the present government, Sr. Co
montort has shown himself too strong a man
to be easily overcome, and therefore Spain,
for ettectns her own purposes, may have re-
solved on aiding them AS best she may be able.
Ii this is it, Sr. Comoniort will doubtless soon
understand it, and be prepared to frustrate it.
". o. Courier.
Il Terrible Joke and BIunder-The work.