The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-07-17
COLUMBIA.
Wednesday Morning, July II. 1857.
NIe1ico-TIer Past and Future.

In view Of their own political diff
culties, the people of the South have
not given that attention to outside
matters which ordinarily attract in
terest. The killing of Maximilian,
and the peculiar crisis which now ex-
lists in that country, will make tho
following reference to history inte-
resting to our readers:
Iturbide, native Mexican, who
led the successful revolt from Spain,
was proclaimed Emperor in 1922
His reign lasted ten years, when q
successful insurrection, led by Santa
Anna, compelled him to abdicate.
In 1924, federal constitution, like
that of the United States, was adopt-
ed, and Mexico was formed into O.
Republic, with nineteen States and
three Territories. General Vittoria
was elected President, and General
Bravo Vice-President, for four years.
From this period, o career of the
Mexican Republic may be said to
have commenced. Let us see how it
compares with our own.
We must concedo it the credit of
having got through the first Presi-
Dental term without revolution. At
the end of that time, Gen. Pedrara
was elected President by majority
of two over Gen. Guerrero. The
partlsans of Guerrero, instead of SUBJ
naitting to the voice of the majority,
rose in insurrection, and sanguinary
revolution followed, which resulted in
Pedrara resigning his claim, and
Guerrero being declared duly elected.
Guerrero had not been year in his
seat, before Santa Anna excited re-
volt and compelled him to resign,
Bustamente being elected in his stead
by the army; and upon his attempt
ing to regain his place by force, he
was executed.
This was in 1881, and from that
time till 1888, there was rapid sue
cession of revolutions, winding up
with Santa Anna becoming President
and Bustamente being exiled. In
1886, the constitution of 1924 was
abrogated, the confederation convert
ed into consolidated republic, and
Santa Anna made President. Then
came the Texas revolution; Santa
Anna was taken prisoner Busta-
mente became President again in
1887, and held Office for two years.
Bustamente was succeeded as follows:
Nicholas Brava, one week; Santa
Anna and Canaliro, year each; Santa
Anna again, year, when he was de-
posed and banished; Canaliro, not
quite year, also deposed by Il revo-
luton; Flerrera, year, driven out
in like manner; Peredes, and tho war
with the United States, during which
Santa Anna came to the top, but after
the war, was forced to leave; then
Flcrrela again then Arista, two wears.
compelled by revolution TO resign:
then, In 1858, for the fifth time, Santa
Anna, one year, when he was COM
PEELED to fly; then Carrera, twenty
seven days, when he was also driven
out; then Alvarez, two months; then
Comonfort. forced to resign in 1853.
The conservative patty then elected
General Zuloaga to the Presidency;
but, according to the Constitution %
Mexico, the office of the President,
upon the resignation of an incum
bent, devolves on the Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court. This was
Benito Juarez, who assembled M
army to maintain his rights, but was
defeated by Tuloaga, and proceeded
to Vera Cruz, where he declared him
self Constitutional President. Sub
sequently, Tuloaga was deposed by
Robleo. The Conservatives and Libc
rails continued from that period the
civil war, which was interrupted by
the arrival of Maximilian. In all the
history of Mexico, but one President
(the first) has served out his term of
four years; whilst there has been one
Presidential term which lasted only
seven days.
If we look at the constituent elc-
ments of the Mexican populatio n,
we can understand why it has never
been able to harmonize and exhibit
even a semblance of stability. The
population numbers S,2S3,0S8, and is
classified as follows: Of pure Euro
pean blood, 1866, 620; Of the native
or indigenous race, 2,20S,S24; of
mixed European and Indigenous
blood, 4,417,644. The native race is
composed of six races-whites, de-
scended from the Spanish settlers;
Indians; negroes, who are computed
ut only 5000; offspring of whites and
Indians; mulattoes, offspring of ne
groes and Indians.