The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-26
MEXICAN AFFAIRS AS VIEWED IN ENGLAND.

MEAlCAN ArFhlho 40 VIEW GD I'm E4NNLhAND-
From the London Times Aug Iol
The same year which, we trust has seen the re-estab-
shment rner basis than ever, of the Anglo Indian
empire in the East likely to witness the extinction
of the last vcstges of the empire of Spain in the golden
West We have restored we trust permanently and dua-
bly, the mighty edce which founded by Give, Hast
ngs and Wellesley, while the last fragment of the
quest of Cotes moulderng into dust The two
not devoid of certain rude analogy There are many
points of resemblance between the Hndoo and Aztec
character. The difference to have been that while
the English have maintained and increased the vast in
tevl that separated them from the Hindoos the Span
iards have not been able to retain snch civilization
they took with them but have sunk far below the
level of the fierce warrior of the sixteenth century
until from the grossncss of their ignorance, and the
degradation of their moral character they present dis
advantageous contrast to the Indians whom they
quered, plundered, tortured, and enslayed.
If the French truly say Of modern Spain that AT
rca begins at the Pyrenees may judge what sort of
place Mexico must be when it is admitted on all hands
that it falls very far indeed below the almost incredibly
dcbascd standard of the mother country. Miserable in
deed must be that republic which has not in it enough of
order and morality to receive such civilization
modern Spain can give her. In the case Of Mexico we
have in addition to all other of degradation the
fact that the Spanish has become vastly deteroraed
by ntexturc with the Indian, and that between this
hybrid and the inhabitants of pure Spanish blood
there has for many years ragged deadly feud which
only too likely to end in the determination of the
latter While the white and the half breed are thus
gagged in internecinc contest the Indian, intamed
against both by anmoty least equal to that which
they feel for each other, enters the lists, and of
maintained with every circumstance of cruelty
and horror. The massacres in India, which have cur
died the blood of all who have read of them tame
and pale in comparison with the deeds which done
every day in the face of the throughout the length
and breadth of the Mexican republic.
But it well indeed for Mexico the deadly
pahy of three rival its only torment for victory
would ultimately declare for the strongest and that
strongest might be expected to rule permanently and Wig
orousy the rivals it had crushed The present state
of things affords no such hope. What is going on in
Mexico the form and decks itself out with the
name of political revolution. There federalsts and
constitutionasts and parties of every conceivable
| and pretcnsion but what is really going is not
change from form of political organization to another
but the absolute dslocation and disruption of the very
ground work of society itself Mexico at this moment
ravaged by less than six armes recruited from among
her people, protesting adhesion to every variety of
political sentiment and opinion but being in reality
neither more nor less than many gangs Of
blood thirsty brigands commanded by the most blood
thirsty and rucuent of the gang, who invariably
sumes the high sounding title of general The band
which, for the time being possesses itself of the capital
such prestige may be derived from the title of
" constitutionalsts, while the solid advantage
| mains with those who, from their position on the
coast able to possess themselves of such customs
enuc as is yet paid in Mexico.
TO compensate this advantage the generals Of the in
terror levy forced contributions on residents proportion
ing the amount to their ability to pay, and In of
fusa impress them into their ranks as private soldiers
Inc last relics oil authority and integrity have disappeared
with the overthrow of President Comonfort who, pos
sessing energy and integrity than is usual
among Mexican leaders overthown by the combined
action of Old Spain and the presty party and has left
behind him void which nothing likely to fill
We may ransack in vain the darkest periods of history to
find parallel for the events passing in this nine
ecnth century in country which nature to have
| designed, by climate and situation, emporium of
commerce and a focus of civilization. Even the mystic
rous powers of subteranean agency have combined with
her children for the destruction Of Mexico, and
read with astonshment Of the misees of the town of
Gua1alaxara, which at the same time subjected to
assault from the enemy, devastated by
ensivc conagation, and shaken to its foundation by
4 the shock Of earthquake
Horrors such have described cannot last Their
very intensity prevents their permanence Already the
highways deserted from fear of the murderers and
robbers who nfest them The land is suffered to go out
of cultivation because will not that which they
have little hope of being allowed to reap The cities
ravaged by repeated assaults falling into RUM and
even the tmid and lazy population Of Mexico goaded
despair by their intoerae caanites have actually been
known on some occasions to fly to arms and repay to
their oppessora small part OF the mseries which
they daily suffer.
1t an interesting but difficult speculation why the
Of the Spanish Peninsula which have been found
capable of establishing toerabc in Brazil
Peru and Chill should have failed so entirely Mexico
The does not to lie n the character of the
aboriginal inhabitants for there is much resemblance
between the Peruvans and the Aztccs support any
theory founded upon minute differences between them 1t
is not the form of government for though Brazil is
monarchy Chill and Peru are both republics.
In default OF any better solution inclined to
attribute the downfall of Mexico, which may now be
said TO be accomplished to geographical situation which
brings pepctualy in contact with energetic races
and thus by inevitable comparison fosters tho contempt
and hatred which Spanard Indian and half breed mutu
ally and justly feel for each other hut we do not doubt
that in the bloody eyerses of the late with the Uni