The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-07-12
Mexican Affairs.

What is called the Liberal party Lave
been gaining some advantages in the
northern portion of Mexico. On the
23d ultimo the French abandoned Mat.
amoras, and the Liberals took possession
of the city and occupied it with their
troops. This is an important point, and
would be Of great advantage to the Lib.
erals 1t they were in a condition to prof
1t by the capture. 1t is a commercial
port, but the Mexicans have no com.
merce- The industry of the country
has been prostrated by the extortions
practiced by conflicting factions. Rev.
olution has followed revolution, and
whether the reins of government were
In the hands Of Santa Anna, Ortega "or
Juarez, the result was alike unfortunate
to the real interest of the nation. Men
were detached from the productive
walks of life, and converted into soldiers
or camp followers, thieves and vaga.
bonds, and at the same time taxes were
imposed and levies made upon the trade,
business and capital OF the country of
such character as to cripple and crush
them into comparative nothingness.-
The Empire has not mended the matter.
The contest still continues, and the re.
sources and revenues of the nation will
not revive while war continues, and
hence, even the possession of CONNER
cial ports will be of little value to the
Liberal party. Maximilian still holds
the governing power, and he will not
allow commercial Intercourse with
port in the hands of party who op.
pose his administration and are in arms
against his authority.
The Emperor of the French nav
withdraw his troops from Mexico. Ev.
ents in Europe may hasten that event.
If so, what then? Who OF all the rival
chiefs and aspirants can consolidate the
factions which beset and curse Mexico.
and lead them in harmonious bodv
PT9i9Ste tia 5arfgeGt usRl2r 2uu n Hutenouhc.
ed him as " Dictator" opposed to fed
eral sovereignty and popular authority.
Juarez and his party are warning upon
OrteaA and his friends and adherents
with almost as much bitterness as they
do upon the Austrian and French pow.
er, and Santa Anna is endeavoring to
thrust his oar into the matter, when all
the evidence shows that that he favored
the French project at the start, and
openly advocated the placing of Maxi
milan upon the throne, With such
proofs of national disintegration, the
flight of the present head of the Mexi-
can empire will uot open very brilliant
prospect for the real friends of Mexican
independence and progress.
1t is probable that the drift of events
in Europe may wedge France and Aus
tria so far asundcr as to compel sepa'
ration of the Mexican partnership, even
if Napoleon had not automatically an
nounced his intention of withdrawing
his troops from that country. Will
such prospect in view all parties il
Mexico should prepare for the duties
that such an event will occasion. But
years of misrule and bad government
have quenched the fire of patriotism il
the bosoms of the masses, and the,
seem to be the same people whether
king, an emperor, or military ,tyran
rules over the country. Unless they
arouse from this state Of national col
lapse, tho withdrawal Of the Frencl
troops will he of no practical benefit
Phil Age.
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