The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-06-20

ing, and 1t is pretty certain that their speed
will never run up to the proposed rate SO
boastingly announced. A Mentor has never
foated which made the speed promised by her
designers, and, from present prospects, they
never will. We have enough Of these misera-
BILE failures on our hands at present. Let US
build something that will be Of service.
| Msxtmtlian and MephIstophsies.
Macmillan the First Is by this time crowned
| Emperor OF Mexico. His courtiers have begun
their revels In the Halls of the Montezumas,
and the people of Mexico are being initiated
into the beauties and mysteries Of monarchical
rule. If this rule be good and wise, so much
| the better for Mexico; il 1t be bad or tyran-
meal, the Mexicans have had SO much expert
ence in that line that they may be considered
10 manner prepared for It. A change in the
mode Of torture is sometimes o respite for the
poor victim; and so the Mexicans may imagine
themselves happy for perhaps three months to
come. But what are the chances In favor Of
Macmillan founding stable and satisfactory
government for Mexicof Let Us see .a
Macmillan has commenced by showing .
weakness Of character and lack of dIscernment
which arc objectionable in prince having the
advantages and precepts OF European diplo-
macy before him. He has lost sight Of the
pregnant past in Mexican history He has be-
gun at the wrong end. Instead Of putting his
best foot foremost and marching to the Mexi-
can capital in triumphant manner, he selected
a cripple as his chief military coadjutor and
his journey will probably furnish the future his.
torian material for an additional chapter in the
rom ance of "The Devil on Two Sticks"
Macmillan has taken to his embrace the Me-
phistopheles Of Mexican history. He has made
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna first marshal o.
the empire, and his hopes OF establishing his
throne upon q firm foundation rest upon that
renowned one legged patriot. What does
| Macmillan, the German, know about the peo-
pie Of Mexico, their wants. habits, prejudices,
Instincts. German pens have been specially
referred to in London papers as furnishing ex-
aggerated and unfounded reports relative to
the "borrors Of Mexican insecurity" and it
would be folly to suppose that the Mexican
| people can bear much love toward . monarch
| who comes as their ruler from . nation that
has furnished writer's notorious for having ira
duced them and their country. What docs
Maxlmilian know about the native Indian tribes
| Of Mexico; the halfbreed Spaniards, the rom
| nant Of the old Castilian stock; the pure
blooded Mexican, q mezzotinto breed; the
guerillas, the brigands the greasers Of this
beautiful country! He may have some know
ledge Of the notable nobodies who have called
him to the throne; but It is questionable
whether he knows a. much about the masses
Of the Mexican population as an American
schoolboy. In this emergency what must he
do! Knowing nothing about the country he is
expected to govern, he will naturally fall into the
views and the plans Of his Mephstopheles, who
knows nothing else, unless II be cock fighting
and monte playing, and then may Macmillan
prepare for an explosion.
Az Santa Anna may now be regarded IS the
chief Of staff or right hand man Of the new
Emperor, . review of his past career and
manifold tergiversations may not be un-
interesting to our readers nor unrefresh-
Ing to Macmillan himself His life. has
been remarkable aud eventful one. He
has filed all social, military and political posi-.
tions, from the lowest to the highest, In Mexico.
He was born In Vera Cruz about 1890. he
joined the Spanish service in 1912. In 1921 he
held the rank ,oR lieutenant colonel The
same year he assisted in expelling the royalists
from Vera Cruz, and obtained command OF the
city under the short lived empire OF Iturbide
In 1922 he was deposed, and commenced war
against bis late master, and succeeded In over
throwing him. A warning to Macmillan. In
1928 he supported Guerrero against Pedrazza,
and was made commander Of the army. In
1880 he deserted Guerrero, fought and con-
quered his former friends, and intrigued for the
Presidency. Another warning to Macmillan
In 1888 he became President In 1885 the re-
form party, under the Leadership Of Lacatecos,
proclaimed against him, and four States Joined
the instruction. The reform party was ami
hilated, and Santa Anna became Dictator. In
1886 the Texans proclaimed their ndepen-
dence, and Santa Anna was captured by Hous-
ton in the battle of San Jacinto In his terms
OF release he cheated Houston. Still another
warning for Maxinilian. In 1888, during the
attack upon Vera Cruz by the French Prince
De Joinville, he had one Of his legs taken of
by grapeshot. This mutation redounded to
his good; for It gave the Mcxicans profound
belief and confidence in his patriotism. In
Is41, after series Of romantic adventures, he
reached the Presidency again, and ruled impe-
rally for some four years. The revolution Of
Paroles hurled him from power, and the ad-
ministration Of Herrera made him q. fugitive.
In 1s48 war broke out between Mexico aud the
United States. Santa Anna was then In exile
In Cuba; but, pledging himself to bring about
a speedy peace, he was permitted by President
Polk to land at Vera Cruz. In this mat
tar he cheated Polk as hs had cheated Hous.