The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-20
Spanish Intrigue and American Intervention
In Mexico,

unchanged.
Spanish Intrigue and American Intervention
In Mexico,
The full accounts which we published yester-
day from Mexico give graphic but sad picture
of the political throes that agonize that republic.
1t is evident that contest is going on there,
far deeper in its springs, and with promise of
far greater results, than appears upon the SUI
face of things. The constitution that was
adopted year ago has failed as practical
scheme of government from its too great sdop-
ton of the radical theories of the schoo, Of
European republicanism and the monarchical
and theocratcal elements that still remain in its
society have taken advantage Of the reaction
to carry into power policy CT the most abso-
lutte tendencies. The constitutional President
of the republic is driven to seek aid for his
country beyond its borders, while the Vice
President is compelled to call the representa-
tives Of Mexican freedom together in a distant
quarter of the republic. The new powers that
have been installed under the nominal Pres-
dency of Gen. Zuioaga have proceeded at once
to reinstate several of the old institutions,
which have become most odious to the people
The church and the army are restored to their
privileges, and declared superior, in the eye Of
the law to the civil power and the great mass
Of the citizens The contest is in truth, con-
test between the feudal and ecclesiastical theo-
res Of the middle sges, and the political ideas
of the present century.
1t il the general belief in Mexico that the re-
cent triumph Of the ecclesiastical party il
mainly due to the influence Of Spanish gold and
Spanish interest; and so universal il the popu-
lar impression Of this fact, excited as il IL BY
the open part which many Spanish subjects took
on the side Of the priests in the recent Conflicts
that Senior Escalante, the Spanish Consul Gene
raj in Mexico, felt himself compelled to publish
an official denial Of the accusation OF Spanish
meddling He does this in a way, however.
that gives strong support to the popular be.
lief. Instead Of denying the great fact. he
merely asserts that those Of his fellow sub
jects who did take a part in the contest had
ceased to be Spaniards and had become Mexi.
can citizens-whicb he further claims they had
a perfect right to do. We will not dispute the
technical point Of international law with Senior
find better ground of denial to meet the pub
lie accusation be had better have remained
silent. In the course he has adopted he has
given an official sanction to the general belief
What course the Development OF this Euro
pean intrigue in an American republic against
republican institutions will take is not yet evil
dent. A portion Of the church party has already
declared in favor Of q return toSpsnish colonial
rule while another party IL in favor Of the re
turn Of Santa Anna TO absolute semi-imperial
rule in the country. In the meantime the libe-
rails will strain every nerve &C. maintain repub-
lican institutions and if possible. will seek aid
for their cause from this country. A direct in
PREVENTION on the part Of our government would
he received with JOY by the great body Of the
Mexican people; and should such a movement
fail. they may invite the flibssters to their aid
Not the flibusters Of the Walker. Nicaragua
school. but those true Americans who sympa-
thize with republicans everywhere, ana who
would gladly aid in removing from power the
feudsl elements that are now 10 the ascendant
In Mexico. and In restoring constitutional gov
eminent there. In the difficulties that now sur
round the question there IL one course open to
President Comonfort He Is the constitutional
President Of Mexico, driven from his post and
his country by Spanish gold and European in
trigue. Let him at once present o memorial to
our government and to Congress. setting forth
the facts and asking for its Intervention to re-
establish constitutional order In q contiguous
republic.
Such q course on his part would call out the
sympathies OF the whole land In his favor, and
by provoking discussion in and out Of Congress
would go far toward restoring liberty to the
Mexican people. II IT were required. an army
of fifty thousand men can he raised in six
weeks in this country to restore him to the
chair Of the constitutional Presidency Of Mexi-
co. We know that many Of the public men Of
that country are afraid to acknowledge their
belief that the calling In Of American aid is
the only hope for free Mexico but we know,
too-for we have received thousand proofs Of
the fact-that hundreds Of AsG entertain this
belief and that II is widespread and rife In the
hearts of the Mexican people. Whenever
bold Mexican leader does take such course to
restore freedom TO bis fellow citizens he will be
himself astonished at the readiness with which
all Glasses IL Mexico will ACCEPT his lesdership