The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-08
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1858.

II "a n,possible to read the recent accounts from
Mexico without becoming convinced that the pro-
cess of disintegration, which has been going on in
that country for the last thirty years is gradually
Int surely accomplishing its work. Mexico is sick
almost to the death. Military empires have
hammered with her constitution until she has ex-
rerienccd in reality all the disorders with which
the Doctor in MoLIERE's Nqlqde Hnaginaire threat
cned in terms more fanciful than scientific his no
Ion~er tractabe and obedient patient. No one can |
become acquainted with the long catalogue of real |
or ideal evils with which she has been afflicted !
without reaching the conclusion that the
principle Of vitality must have been very strong
in her originally, TO have endured all that she has
-ndured, and that, even now, in her extremity, a
.ful and judicious nursing of her enfeebled |
rs might yet result in restoring her to health
happiness. The war against old Spain, which |
a finally in a recognition of Mexican indie
nee did not originate in any deep seated
reverence FOR democratic principles, but from
of degradation at the distinctions made by their
Spanish rulers with respect TO caste The ignorant
mixed races which form the great mass of the
Mexican population, knew nothing of republican
institutions though they felt CALLED at their inferior
social position, and hence it that the pronunca
mentos of the revolutionary party, the chiefs of
which were educated Creoles, dwet chiefly upon
the question of CASTE and held out the prospect of
republican form of government, and of equality,
under the law, more as lures to attract lukewarm
adhSro-ts than as objects to be particularly re-
allied From the first outbreak against the mother
country, to the present time the independence of
Mexico has had sufficient basis to res upon. From
the year 1922 when the plan of IGUALA was first
declared, Mexico has been constantly suffering from
the nostrums of her military physicians. During
tue year 1923, she was subjected to the Imperial
rule of ITURBIDE, and when the short lived Empire
was oyerthrown, provisional government was
formed, composed of three triumvirs, BRAVO,
NEGRETI, and VICTORIA. This lasted until
October, 1924, when Federal Constitution
was framed, and the sixteen original Departments
were united in a Federal Republic, of which, in
1925 General VICTORIA was installed as President
The spirit of discomfort soon showed itself Ro-
BATo and STABoLI, taking advantage of the caste
prejudices, which existed everywhere among the
people, pronounced against elevating any Span
lard to office. On the other hand, Padre ARENAS,
acting in the interest Of the Church, put himself
at the head of party of malcontents, and de-
nounced the Federatve system, and openly
espoused the cause of Centralism; whilst a third
faction declared its opposition to the Federal Con-
stituton, and proposed to substitute in its stead
the 'Plan of MoNTANYo." All these revolution
airy movements were finally suppressed by the
government; but, in the meantime, two parties
had arisen in the Republic, which, known under
the respective titles of the Scotch and York lodges
exerted, subsequently, malevoent influence upon
its destinies. The Scotch party was in favor of
Capitalization; the Yorkinos proclaimed the ad-
vantages of Federal system of government
The predictions of the first party were monarch
ical-of the second, democratic. At the close of
VIcToRIAs term of Office, GOMEZ PEDRAzA, the
candidate of the Centralists was elected President;
but he had scarcely entered upon the duties of his
office, before SANTA ANNA, at the instigation of
the Federasts pronounced against him. PEDRAzA
was driven into exile, and GUERRERO, Federalist,
was called to fill the Presidential chair-General
BUsTAMANTE being chosen Vice President. GUER-
ZERO showing, soon after, tendency towards Cen
tralizaton, BUsTAMANTE FASTENED to Jalapa and
raised the standard of revolt. After some delay,
overthrown, and BUsTAMANTE assumed the reins
of government. Two years later, SANTA ANNA
declared against BUsTAMANTE and the Federal svs-
tem and in favor of the Centralist cheftain, Pc
DRAzA. BUsTAMANTE was driven from office, and
PEDRAzA was recalled from exile to serve out the
remainder of his term. In 1888, three months
later, SANTA ANNA was elevated to supreme power.
During the first year of his Presidency the Cen
trasts again rose, under the leadership of EsCA-
LADA but the instruction, after q tedious contest,
was suppressed In 1895, the Department of Ia
catecas pronounced against the government, and
soon afterwards, finding the Centrasts to be gain
ing strength, SANTA ANNA gave in his adhesion
to the ''Plan of Toluca," the principles of which
formed the basis of the Central Constitution adop-
ted in 1886. During the same year, SANTA ANNA
encountered the Texans at the battle Of San Jacin-
to, where the Mexican forces were completely rout
ed and SANTA ANNA taken prisoner. The disgrace
of this defeat drove the latter into retirement on
his liberation by General HoUsToN. In the mean
time General BARRIGAN became Provisional Presi-
dent. He was succeeded by General Cora who
continued at the head of the government until
General BUsTAMANTE was recalled from France and
took place during these two years, but being feebly
supported they We're speedily put down. A more
serious rising ensued in 1888, headed by MEXIA,
but SANTA ANNA once more placed himself at the
head of the forces drawn from the Departments on
the seaboard and forming junction with the gov
eminent troops near Puebla defeated MExIA and
ordered him to be shot on the field of battle. The
winter Vera Cruz was blockaded by the
French, and SANTA ANNA assumed the defence of
the city, but upon its capture he succeeded in eu-
ding the conqueror, and again retired to his es-
tates. In 1910, the Federalists, under UREA, at
tempted to capture the Capital, but were finally
repulSed The following year a simultaneous ris-
ing against BUsTAMANTE took place; in which Pa
REDEs, VALENCIA, LoMBARDINI, and SANTA Anna
combined their forces against the Government.
After a number of desultory actions had taken
place, BCsrAMANTE was besieged in the Capital.
The bombardment confined for thirty days
when BUsTAMANTE succumbed, and SANTA ANNA
was chosen Provisional President. His investment
with Dictatorial powers took place few months
later Serious difficulties now arose between Mexi-
co and the UNITED STATES. The growing unpopu-
larity Of SANTA ANNA instigated Paroles to pro-
HOuuCe against MIN III 1914 ana without attempt
ing to make head against so formidable a move
ment, SANTA ANNA quilted the Capital and went
into voluntary exile On his retirement General
HERRERA was declared President but in 1915 Pa
REDEs overthrow the government of HERRERA and
took possession of the Presidential chair. The
next year war was declared between Mexico and
the UNITED STATES. In lS47 SANTA ANNA returned
from exile and placed himself at the head of the
army. Paroles retired from the Capital and
SANTA ANNA was again clothed with Dictatorial
powers The disastrous issue of his efforts to
check the advance of TAYLOR and SCOTT, again
forced him to seek safety in exile, and when the
American troops retired from the Capital, General
HERRERA was recalled to the Presidency
Then followed the revolt of Paroles and
his defeat by BUsTAMAYrE, the return of
SANTA ANNA, and his re-assumption of
the chief authority; the revolt of the Northern
provinces under the leadership of V1DAuRRI: the
pronunciamento of ALVAREZ in the South: the ad-
vance of ALVAREZ and CoMoNFoRr upon the Capt.
tai; the flight again into exile of SANTA ANNA:
the elevation of CoMoNFoRT to the Presidency: the
PRONUNCIATION of liberal Constitution. and the
instruction of ZULoAGA; the retreat of ConoyFoRT
and all the subsequent complications arising from
the breaking up of the great parties into a number
of petty factions, animated by no common r,;,o;