Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-01-22
From the Washington Union.
The Present Condition of Mexico.

The intelligence by mail received at New Orleans by
the last arrival from Vera Cruz fully sustains the tee
graphic of the unhappy and distracted
condition of Mexico Instead of prevalence of quiet as
consequence of COmonfOrts coup detat of December,
general dissatisfaction seems to prevail outside of the
limits of the city of Mexico and several States pre-
pairing to wage against the destroyer of the cOnSt
tuition In the mean time, COmOnfOrt is endeavOrng to
organize army out of the materials furnished by the
city Of Mexico and both parties evidently preparing
for a civil war.
1t appears that the breaking up and dispersion of the
federal Congress followed by the issue OF a violent
manifesto by portion of its members against the pro-
visiOnaI dictatorship. This signed by eghty-siX
members, and subsequently by others they made up
their minds to which party they would adhere. They
dnOunCe the act of COmonfOrt the most scandaOus
crime recorded in the national annals of Mexico, and
protest before the civilized world against the tyranny
Of force" They appeal finally, to the governors and
legislatures of the republic to remain faithful to their
promises and to the welfare of the nation to repudiate
the revolutionary plan proclaimed at Tacubaya and to
lend the forces of their several States for the preserva
ton of constitutional order" This Immediately
followed by manifesto from the dictator himself mod
crate enough in its tone in which he takes the position
that the coup deta forced upon him against his
will and that he had adopted it last effort " to
save the constitution The idea of suspendng or over
turning constitution in order to save it is Of
the very latest discoveries of the age in Mexico
we imagine.
The protests from the various States against this
yOluton and usurpaton are most emphatic. The State
OF GuanauatO the first to move 1t declines to ac-
knowledge the revolutionary government called into be-
ING bv the brigade of ZuOaua calls upOn the other
States of the cOnfederacy to form league for the pur
pose of reesablishing constitutional order names Gen
ea ParrOd as cOmmandern-chef of the forces of that
State invites the Congress to meet at Guanajuato
where it continue its functions under the cOnsttu-
ton and declares that all who cooperate with the re,
yOutiOnary movement at the capital, or IN any way
support it. shall be treated traitors. The same or
similar manifestoes issued by the proper authorities
in the States of Queretaro, JaliScO Oaaca, Aguasca-
ientes Zacatecas NuevO LeOn and Coahuila and finally
by Vera Cruz, which at first gave in its adhesion to
COmOnOrt The protest Of Vera Cruz declares that the
objects of the plan of COmOnOrt-that of preventing the
reign of anarchy-have not been attained that under
the present state of things the liberal principles of the
State of Vera Cruz cannot be maintained that the
constitution of 1857 may yet serve as the bond of the
union; and that the threatening condition Of the rela
lions of Mexico with Spain demands that the union be
preserved therefore, that State to recognise any
other centre of the federal union than that designated
by the constitution of the last year.
Following all these movements, we find that Gen
ParrOd, already mentioned, who is styled generalin
chief of those States which have resolved to preserve
constitutional ORDER has issued proclamation calling
upon the States to repudiate the revolutionary govern
ment of COmmonfOrt, and made levy of troops How
tar it will be responded to cannot be known until the re
Cep of later accounts. 1t is apparent however, tina
very strong, and it is reasonable presumption that hi
will soon be stripped Of his power and driven from thu
position he now holds
simultaneously with this open outbreak in Mexico
find that Santa Anna is reported to be at Havana
and that Spain regarding the mediation of England anc
France at an end, is actively preparing an expedition
against Mexico. In the city Of Mexico it is charged
that Commonfort is being used instrument by tn
"retrOgradeS," who only await favorable moment
get rid of him and declare for Santa Anna. That tn
exed dictator has party in Mexico is well known, bu
the experiment of Cononfort has shown it to be to-
weak to sustain itself against the coalition already EN-
6racing many States
From this account, it is apparent that Mexico never
was in worse condition than at present. Her treasury
exhausted and the Minister Of Finance seeking
repenish by the sale Of the credit of the nation
The rate Of five hundred dollars for ten In the capita
mere is dictatorship in the States is ready t.
break out against the central power Can imagination
picture more complete condition of anarchy? Mexico
indeed very sick man.