The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-28

IL
There is literally no spot in the entire American
continent from the Arctic Seas to Cape Horn which
presents such spectacle of disOrganiZation and
ruin. The Indians of Patagonia are better ordered
than the Mexicans of 1858. In the old seat of
American civilization there is now no Government.
no recognized poity, no public order. Life and
property are insecure, not through the accident of
political revolution, or the consequence of a
transient convulsion, but necessarily and perma-
nently, from the utter default and break up of all
the institutions designed for their protection We
cannot find in any European history-not even in
that of Spain itsefany parallel or illustration of
the present state of things in Mexico. The country
is split into factions but faction has any prnci-
pie, nor does it seem to be so much as ANTICIPATED
that there is any party, or any leader of a party
by whose ascendancy or predominance the existing
anarchy could be terminated
When, in the year 1924 Republican Govern
ment was definitely substituted for the dominion
exercised by Spain, room was left for contests be-
tween Federalism and Capitalization, which have
never ceased, and which, perhaps find more or less
expression in all Mexican revolutions We oh
serve, also, at present, that the Roman Catholic
hierarchy of Mexico are throwing such weight as
they possess into the scale of absoutism, with the
same views which have recently characterized their
proceedings in various parts of Europe But ex-
cept for these features, there is positively nothing
to be discovered in the civil war now raging in
Mexico which can raise it above the level of COM
mon and promscuous brigandage. Society is re-
solved into its primitive elements without as vet
face.
1t would be too abstruse speculation to enquire
philosophicallY into the causes which have thus
operated on country so fair and so fortunate as tn
have once produced an exceptional civilization of
its own in the midst of general barbarism Histor-
ically, the case can be taken in at a glance
Spain ruled the subject State of Mexico for exactly
300 years; then came three years of conv ulsion
and then some 30 years of Repubicanism on a re,
markably pure and genuine model. Mexico had
its Union, its States and its Territories, its Cham
Der of Deputies and its Senate. Biennial Parlia-
ments and equal electoral districts gave to the pop
ular suffrage all the reality which Mr. Bright
could desire, and, except that there was no educa-
ton and no liberation in religious matters the in
stitutons of Mexico were, at any rate in theory as
liberal as they could be. All this, however, was of
no avail. The Mexicans can neither govern them
selves nor find anybody strong enough to govern
them, and the State if it still be called State
is simply tumbling to pieces for want of anything
like vitality cohesion.
The ordinary interest which might attach to a
spectacle like this is materially enhanced by two i'm
pOrtant considerations. On the northern frontier of
Mexico lies formidable neghbor already aggran-
dized by large acquisitions of Mexican territory
and prepared for the absorption of more. What
gives this contingency still greater weight is the
fact that the internal politics of the North Ameri-
can Union will be intimately affected by any fur
ther annexation towards the South and its wisest
statesmen apprehensive of the results which
might ensue. Certainly, up to the present time
the Government of Washington has exhibited con-
siderable torbearance IN dealing with the provoca-
tions to which the anarchy and license prevailing
throughout Mexico hare naturally given RISE We
have, however, more direct interest in the mat
ter. English capital has been largely invested in
Mexican undertakings, and English merchants
have carried their energies to Mexico for the Joint
advantage OF both countries together. The reyo-
lutionists in their suicidal folly have actually
visited with indignities and penalties the 70
reigners who were contributing to the resources
of the State, and, though Englishmen who lend
hair 10 Hpx-n l.
their own responsibility, British subjects NAV
claim the protection of British power The affairs
of Mexico are nothing to us, but are entitled to
demand that its Government, be it what it nav
shall abstain from visiting our countrymen with
injustice or wrong.
The only apparent parallel to this strange break
up is that suggested by the case of Poland, and
here the parallel is apparent only. Poland it is
true, was a turbulent and unquiet State, with
system of government which never worked evenly,
and which, perhaps, must have ultimately proved
incompatible with the better organized politics on
its frontiers. But the Poles had a nationality
which gave them strength and purpose, and which
for some generations enabled them to extend their
territories at the expense of their neghbors. They
once partitioned Prussia and they once nearly an
nexed Russia. Moreover, their disorganization
extreme as it was, had been in some measure art-
fciaiy created and the spirit which even to this
hour is not extinct, showed what genuine vitality
the nation possessed. In Mexico there is not
vestge of nationality. OF its seven or eight mil
lions of population about one million only are
whites, the rest being Indians mixed breeds; and
these Mexican spaniards have not succeeded, like
the French Canadians, in preserving the spirit
| which they brought across the seas.
| Mexico has broken up from pure incapacity for
| sefgovernment. The license which ensued on the
extinction of absolutism forty years ago has never
been exchanged for any regular or stable Admins
traton, that what should have been mere tenn
porary suspension of authority has proved perma-
nent allegiance of order. Despotsm might have
relieved the country, but no Mexican has been
strong enough for despot, and affairs, therefore,
have gone from bad to worse, with interminable