Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-07-17
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF GEN. AN
TONIC LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.

at OiSdiy heAlCOj on eHe LGtn UT, was
born at Jalapa, Feb. 21, 1858, and was
consequently So years of age at the time
OF his death He came into public notice
at an early age, taking part in the Mexi-
can war Of independence in 1922 at the
age Of % years. Since that time he has
filed large and more prominent part id
Mexican history than any other individ-
ual, having at times been commander-in-
chief Of the Mexican armies President of
the Republic, Dictator and an exile Ih
1922, having driven the royalists out OF
Vera Cruz, he was appointed, at the age
Of "A, to command that city, but was soon
deposed by Itorbide, who proclaimed
himself Emperor, Raising the banner Of
the republic ia Vera Cruz, he succeeded
in the following year in securing tho
downfall Of the empire. In 1928, he
engaged in revolt sgai lst Pedrazs, who
had been elected President by majority.
of two electoral votes, taking the side Of
Guerrero, who finally obtained control OF
the government. He undoubtly CONS
mander the Mexicon forces fer a longer
peroid than any other man since ths
foundation of the Republic Ia Is %;
he defeated the Spaniards under Barradas
at Tampico, and was then made Minister
of War and Commander-in chief Guer-
rero centlnulRg t exercise uictatoriat
powers, Santa Anna combined With
Bustamente to overthrow him, which was
accomplished, and the later was mad8
President. In 1882, he headed another
instruction in favor of his old enemy,
Pedraza, which proved successful. Id
1888, he was chosen President fer the
first time, but soon had to confront an in
surrection under Arista, which was subs
dued. He now left the Federal party, Of
which he had been the head, and pus
himself at the head of the Centralists
A new revolt Of four provinces Soon
broke out, but in May, 1885, he defeated
the Insurgents near Zacatecas, after which
he was proclaimed dictator. The growth
of Dictatoral power was rapid, the Stats
Legislatures having been abolished; bus
a revolt broke out in Texas, which re ult-
ed in the independence of that State;
During this war the massacres of the
Alamo, at San Antonio. and of Goliad;
occurred by his order, bringing disgrace
on his name. He was finally defeated
and captured by Houston at San Jacinto:
During his captivity he made treaty
by which the Independence Of Texas was
acknowledged, but this was not recognize
ed by the Mexicans. In the following
year, having been released, he returned
to Mexico, but was coldly received, and!
in the Presidential election which follow
ed, received only two out of sixty-nine,
electoral votes. After this he retired to
private life, butsoon afterward, the French
having attacked the castle San Juan de
tIlloa, be offered his services for its de:
fense, which he mplished-success-
fully. It was during this battle that he
received wound VIII ch rendered the am
putation of one of his legs necessary. He
soon rose to such favor that from lS41 to
1874 he was virtual dicator, with the title
Of Provisional President, and in the lat
ter year was elected Constitutional Preai-
dent, but before the end OF the yearhe
was deposed by new revolution TAKEN
prisoner, and in January, 1045, banished
for ten years, taking up his residence irs
Cuba.
The difficulties of the country increas.
ing in consequence ofrthe war with the
United States, he was recalled, the United
States government conniving at his re-
turn. The government soon had reason
to perceive its mistake in supposing thas
he favored the independence of Texas,
which he had recognized while prisoner
as he became Generalissimo Of the Mexi-
can army, and was able to carry on the
war with moro vigor than had before beels
exhibited. Being at last defeated, how
ever, and the Mexican capital captured
by General Scott, he finally asked per-
mission to leave the country, which was
granted, and he went to Jamaioa. The
anarchical state of affairs in Mexico con-
tinuing, he was invited TO return in 1861
and was received with much enthusiasm!
He was soon appointed President again,
but soon managed TO bring about revol1
utlon of the government, by which he was
made President for life, with royal title
and the right to name his successor.
A revolution, under the lead of Alvarez,
followed, and after two years he was com.
PEELED to sign an unconditional abdicatiort
in 1855, and left Mexico for the third
time, going to Havana. He afterwards
spent two years at Turbaco, in Venezuela;
but finally settled in the island of st:
Thomas, where he remained until yeaf
ago, when the disturbance in Mexico
again induced him to attempt to reach
that country. He evidently anticipated
thesupport Of the United States Governs
meut, but in this he was disappointed,
and has spent the last few months in the
vicinity Of New York, preparing for his
enterprise which has come to so suddea
and disastrous termination He was
the possessor Of large estate at Vera Crua
and elsewhere, which will probably bs
Ia IN rnsSassinr, of hrr tha Mnx;nor IA.s