The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-19

StrUXK1e -
Santa Anna Again Up for Once.
Our advices from Mexico which will be found
elsewhere, are of the most interesting character,
comprising as they do correspondence from the
seat Of both governments in that republic, and
new manifesto from Santa Anna
The most important point in the news is the
position taken by our Minister, Mr.. Forsyth,
against the imposition of forced loan by
President Zuloaga upon the American citizens
transacting business in Mexico. Whatever view
President Zuloaga and his Ministers in Mexico,
or Senior Robes, the Mexican representative in
Washington, may take Of this question, Mr.
Forsyth is undoubtedly right, and should be q.
once sustained by our government. II is not a
tax in the usual sense Of that term, laid for the
raising of revenue, but is forced contribution
which the government itself proposes to return
to the contributor in the shape of stock in a
national bank-the contributions going to form
the capital. Such course on the part Of auy
government is not only unusual but is very
reprehensible-the more so when from the
manner of its collection it is made to weigh
more heavily upon foreigners than upon native
citizens as detailed by one of our correspondents.
There are also reasons of high policy why
our government should sustain Mr.. Forsyth in
the important position he has taken toward
the course of the Mexican government. If he
is promptly and openly sustained in this, it will
augment the influence of our Legation in Mexi
CO, and establish the reputation OF our goyera-
ment for being influenced by sense of right.
1t Will also have good effect upon many of
our collateral questions with Spanish-American
governments. 1t has been altogether too much
the custom Of our State Department to leave
our Ministers and other Diplomatic and consul
lar officers abroad without support of any kind
from home; and this has had powerful effect
in depressing the influence OF our Legations.
and discouraging our ministers, particularly in
Spanish America. Moreover, If Mr.. Forsyth is
now sustained as he should be by his govern
ment, that fact OF itself will 60 far to protect
all foreign residents in Mexico, and restrain
that government in some degree from the
destructive courses which it seems disposed to
take.
The address of Santa Anna to his country
men is both an excuse for not presenting him
self at once within the territories Of the repub-
Lie and an attempt to get his countrymen to
recall him.
in this effort he praises himself and justifles
his pact acts with boldness Of assertion that
Is almost without parallel. We shall not under
take even to deny his numerous statements; but
there is one concerning the proceedings Of the
American army in Mexico which requires a de-
NAL. II is not true that the American forces
took from his estate q large number Of horses
and killed many cattle. We have good reason
for stating that when Gen. Scott was in want
Of transportation for the advance from Vera
Cruz he purchased large number of horses
and mules, and that one Of the principal sellers
was the agent Of Santa Anna, who received the
full value of every animal delivered to the ar
my. If we may estimate the truth of Santa
Annals other assertions in his address by this
one, his statements will not be very convincing
We cannot see, in the present state Of
affairs in Mexico, that Santa Anna has any
chance Of being recalled there, or that any
party has sufficient strength TO keep him
out If he were to make bold and
ucttiiuiucu cuoIt W Sct AL par ,icS ettu W
be involved and debilhated in the one great
struggle that is going on there, aud that will
60 on to final triumph. This is the struggle
of the people with an overgrown ecclesiastical
monopoly, which weighs down the energies of
the country, grasps at all power, and aims TO
control every thought. Mexico can never ad-
vance, or even obtain peace, till the vast pos
sessions Of the church are taken away from 1t
and il IL reduced to the level Of other associa-
lions in the community. Bishop Mungrira may
quote Caleb Cushing's lecture 10 the contrary
notwithstanding, but the power Of q few priest
ly corporations over two-thirds of the material
wealth of the republic is the great cause of the
himself 10 be shallow philosopher in not re-
cogniziDg the fact.
The priests of Mexico are either the plotters
of every conspiracy there, or the objects at
which every popular revolution aims When
they get in power their insatiate greed and OPP
preston forces the people into rebellion when
they arc thrust out. they arc ever plotting to
get back. The republic will see no peace nor
freedom until II initiates the example of France
under the Directory, and England under Henry
Will Both Of these countries were in continual
trouble until the possessions Of the clergy
were confscatcd TO the State: and from that
time they date their true progressive march
Could the ''three thousand clergymen" get the
upper hand here they would soon break up our
Unionin bloodier revelation than has ever
been witnessed in Mexico. Fortunately, the
battle with the priests was fought here long
before our Revolution. They never were
allowed TO attain the immense influence that is
welded by the clergy in Mexico; but yet at one
ime their power was strong enough to be dan
gerous The first battle ever fought, the first
victory ever won by the glowing eloquencc of