New-York tribune., 1867-06-27
SANTA ANNA.

SANTA ANNA.
Since the Mexican war of independence in
1921, there have been only two governments in
the unhappy country on our southwest border
against which Santa Anna has not headed an
insurroction. Those two are Maximilian's and
his own. He led the revolution which com
passed the overthrow of Iturbide rebelled
against Pcdraza in the interest of Guerrero; !;
against Guerrero in the interest of Bustamente; ;
against Bustamente as an ally of his old
enemy Pedraza, and after holding the Presi-
dency himself for several terms, went into
exile in Cuba in 1916. He got back to Mexico
by cheating the American Government into the
belief that he would favor the independence
of Texas; but no sooner had he reached his
capital than he raised his voice for war, and
on the tide of national enthusiasm which the
prospect Of hostilities aroused, he was fi0ated
into the Presidency. The choice of another as
his successor in this Office while he was in the
field against Scott and Taylor he overruled
by the strong arm; and while his
people ntrIstcd him with the fortunes of
their armies, it is now known that he was
secretly engaged in fruitess negotiation with
Gen. Scott. Corrupt. willy, and unprincpcd as
he was, it is admitted that he was n soldier of
no mean skill but in the war with the United
States he was signally beaten in all quarters,
and before the conclusion of peace ho resigned
both his military and civil authority, and with
drew to Jamaica. Here Lc rested five years
but the old passion for intrigue and insurec
tiOn was strong upon him yet, and in the
tumult of a revolution against President Arista
l.. fl,n
of his own Constitution. and got up new
insurreciion which declared him Most Serene
"Highnessp and President for life. Defeated by
Alvarez after he had ruled with despotic power
for two years, he was driven into banishment
again in 1865, and went to the West Indies.
There are probably few Mcxicans living who
have done more mischief to their country, and
are more cordially hated by the majority OF
their c0untrymen than this schemng COM
mander. Yet with all his unpopulaity and in
spite Of the unfortunate issue OF all his polit-
ical enterprises, he has never lost the hope of
regaining the supreme control. In Cuba, IN
Venezuela, in -. Thomas, on Staten Island,
wherever be has lived during the twelve years
of his exile, he has been constantly busy with
new pl,ts. His party. il is true, was small,
but he had abundance If money so he might
hope to increase il. TwIcc he has attempted
to return, and each time he has been turned
back by a forcign Power When the Empne of
Nlaximilan was established, he landed at Vera
Cruz and licking the feat of the invaders.
counseled the Mexicans, in high-sounding
proclamation to yield a ready obedience 80
the European rulers But Marshal Bazaine
vss too shrewd To accept the alliance. of
1. a..
luis plotter for power, and Santa Anna was
Instantly shipped to Havana. He came no
us,rc 10 Vera Cruz until the sthcr dny H"N
he was then second time driven away flom
his. native country by forcigLsrs our readers
know already; and much as We may peTor
the illegal conduct of the american naval
commander on that occasion, there can be litue
que s,ion that Mcxico has rcapcd profit from
his mistake Santa Anna has always been ONE
Of her worst enemies
or the ultimate fate of the unhappy old man
whonow at the age ct nearly seventy has fallen
a victim to his restless ambition We fear there
can bc little doubt. His seizure at Sisa by the
Liberals is almost equivalent 10 4 sentence of
death for in the inflammation of passion which
bas followed their victory over the lmperallsts,
and the hatred which shey are known TO cherish /.
tow nd their prisoner i is not likely that either
law OF Justice will be very carefully consdered /
There may be no psof that the eX-Dictator
mcditated Interference with Mexican politics, /
OF that he returned to his native land IN any
other capacity than that of private citizen ;
but the ppspect is that proof will not be /
waited ion. our last adyices represented /
that a cous martial was about to assemble for |
his trial our next dispatches will probably /
his execution.