Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-24
Santa Anna---IIe Talks with II News
mOnger---IIe TeIIsSOme Things. and
Some Things He Don't.
ecinI Correspondenee Louisville Demlcrat.

Special Correspondence Louisville Democrat.
New York, May lG, lSGG.-It being a
matter of much conjecture whether General
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna is on the i'm
perial or republican side of the Mexican
fence the correspondent of the Louisville
Democrat accepted an invitation from some
of the Generals friends, this morning, to
take cup Of coffee with him, with view,
if possible, of solving the vexed ques-
ton.
Proceeding to 4 brown-stone mansion in
the upper part of the city-the residence of
a well-known Spanish merchant-we were
soon ushered into the august presence Of the
cx-dictator. He was reclining on a sofa and
smoking cheroot when we entered. He
Immediately rose, and with free and easy
"happv to see you, gentlemen" (he speaks
good English cordially took each of the
party bv the hand with a request that We
should be seated.
Refreshments in the shape of "green seal"
and cigars were then served up. After some
general observations concerning our mutual
heaths, the state of the weather, the pros
pect of visit from the cholera in the course
of the coming summer. and other common
places, your correspondent ventured to break
the ice touching the Generals particular
business in New York.
Democrat orrespondent-Ahairsi in Mex
leo, General, are assuming a very interest
ing phase.
Santa Anna-Yes, sir, they are. 1t is sad
to think my poor country is never TO end her
civil wars, as your country has.
Dem. Cor.-Do you think, General, that
any considerable portion of the Mexican
people are attached to the Empire?
Santa Anna-Oh, yes; ! have no doubt of
it. Time often works wonders. Many who
dislikcd foreign intervention at first, seeing
the intruders have given them protection to
life and property, may be reconciled be de-
grees to the new order of things.
Dem. Cor.-But, do you think that those
who entertain such views constitute any
thing like a majority of your countrymen?
Santa Anna-By no means. They in
clude the foreign merchants, emigrants, and
certain portion of the Roman Catholic
clergy. believe a great majority of the
Mexican people proper, if they could have
their way to-day, would vote the imperial
system out of the country tomorrow.
Dem. Cor.-What do YOU think of the
feeling in the army on that poinD
Santa Anna-My dear sir, Mexican sol
dicr, are like all other kinds of soldiers.
| They will fight for those that pay them best
| If the Republic had had the means TO pay
! its troops. the French would never have
! been able 10 walk in so easily. Macmillan
| had money, and whoever has money, IN
Mexico or anywhere else, has always at
| hand the sinews of war.
Dem. Cor.-What think you, General
wouldn't il be better for Mexico that tho
Imperial system should be consolidated
there than that the Republic should again
supercede it? In other words, do you think
repuhlicanism Consonant with the genius o.
the Mexican people?
| Santa Anna-lt matters but little whal
my opinions are on that point My con-
victions are that the Imperial intrusion can
not endure, because il is an intrusion.
! think if the French troops were withdrawn
| the empire would totter to Its fall IN les
! than thirty days thereafter.
Dem. Cor.-ticneral, some Of the news
papers have been publishing letters said tC
| have been written by you three years ago
| giving in your adhesion to the empire, ant
| eulogizing MaNimillian.
Santa Anna expected that those letter
would be published. | do not deny theil
| authenticity. Ii is true that at the time
they were written ! thought that Mex
leo, lust rescued from anarchy, might hnI
peace under the new regime. The event
Since transpiring have disabused my mind
! No man can foresee or control events. Al
men in public life are subject TO change o
| opinions, as events themselves change. Ia
triotism and craftsmanship are both gov
| erned by the law Of our existence. loul
own American public men are illustrations
| of this. Your recent war compelled many
Of them 20 modify the views of public
policy.
Dem. Cor.-Then, General, As ] under
stand YOU, YOU are now in favor of ordering
out Macmillan and restoring the Republic
Santa Anua--Exactly so.
Dem. Cor-How would you proceed ?
Santa Anna-I cannot answer that queS
ton definitely at present. ! have plan
my own, which / shall take the earliest op
portunity Of communicating 10 the frlend
Of Mexico, in the United States, and II II
meets their approval, believe the days o
the Mexican Empire are numbered, anC
this, too, without embroiling the Govern
ment in the perils Of war. For myself
mean 20 consecrate the remainder Of m,
davs 70 my country. have no selfish Of
ambitious ends 10 subserve. have wealth
enough 10 satisfy the reasonable wants o
any man for a lifetime; but ! am weary o.