The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-02-12

OF his popularity B1tn bis army ant
the people. the supporters of his gos
erament. When the revolution u
Texas broke out, he marched to tbs
Rio Grande at IL head Of 5000
troops He sterued the Alamo Al
San Antonio, aad nassacred her citi
zens who were stubborn in their re.
sissance. He massacrcd the citizen;
Of Goliad without Discriminating in
favor Of non-combatants. and march.
ed towards Gonzahs. These butcher.
les created q stroag feeling against
him, and the insoFrection grew to a
revolution with alarming rapidity.
At San Jacinto be met the Texan
army under Houston, was disgrace.
fully routed and taken prisoner.
The Government, or war party,
now abandoned him, and during his
Imprisonment suspended his functions
and repndiated the treaty he made
with the Texaf1s He started on this
campaign as the chief officer Of bis
country, the leader and idol of bis ar
mics He returned year later, was
coldly received at Vera Cruz, and in
the election following was scarcely
named for the executive Office. A
remarkable instance of the instability
of popular favor
He was an able general. He had
dogged perseverance that overcame
obstacles: great personal magnetism
that won the worship of his troops.
He has been charged with ineompe-
tency during the war with our gov
ernment, but it Is TO be remembered
that wbea the war broke out be was
sn exile ander banishment from his
native land and living in Cuba ,ha,
the country was distracted with
troubles at home that the govern
ment Of Harera and Paroles had been
grossly Incompetent, and that be had
to hurriedly infuse enthusiasm into
the people, and fan the fame Of war
that had been gradually dying out.
That his troops were no match for ours
was shown az Buena Vista. where be
was reDulsed by general Taylor with
ore quarter the number Of men
He fought the battles Of Cerro Cor
do, Contretras aad Cherubusco with
. hastily organized and unGisciplined
army do not compare him with
Scott or Taylor as soldier He was
turbu, lent, brave, restless and dariug
with mach Of the baccaneer about
him but the keen. sober skin and ex-
perieace Of the American generals
were an oyerma,ch for these. and be
was beaten They recognized in
him. however, wily leader and >
dangerous opponent. aud their yic,o-
ries were not over incompeteney.
In his engagements with his own
eountrymen he uas generally success
fal. wkesaes be-ied the insurgents OF
the government'troops and in his con-
fiets with the French or Spanish be
had an unhrsken series efsaceesses
In the thirty-three wears Of his con-
nection with public affairs in Mexico,
be won more victories than there are
wears 10 his venerable life, proof Of
more than ordinary brillisncy as SCI
der.
He would have been more success
fuI as q ruler. had be been less ambi-
tioas to rule. His frequent failures
TO -estore order and peace 10 his
restless and distracted people are in no
measure proof Of 8 lack Of capacity
On his recall in 1858 be wss found
BY EscObar in Turbseo, CArthagenis,
where, as Is stated in the official re-
port Of Eseobar, be had given pros
perity TO a half ruined city, and won
the profound gratitude and respect of
her people. He complained bitterly
Of tie former ingrstitade OF the Mex
leans in his banishment, and de-
nouneed the laxity Of morals in tie
people and the venality Of the rulers
He said, Il bold that Independence Is
the greatest Of cur blessings, and ev-
erv good citizen should defend it with
ali his power He prOiessed a
strong Dissemination 10 leave the
tranquil life be was leading. declared
tha be desired 10 end his days On the
spot be had chosen as the residence
Of his family, but that he wished to
show his compatEiets how dear they
were to him, that their misfortunes
were his and that be did not wish
History to saw that be turned q deaf
ear TO their entreaties. He hoped
that the Mexicans had come TO see
that the root Of their misfortunes was
in themselves. and unless they were
willing TO make strong and earnest
effort for their redemption il would
be useless for him to attempt any
thing in their behalf The battle-cry
should be ISDEPESDEycE Oh DEATH,
and be resigned himselfto give last
proof Of his patriotism, although his
tory had taught him to place no con-
fdenee in the passing enthusiasm Of
the masses. He promised TO call
ouiy the true lovers Of bis country
around him. averred that he could
not survive the disappearance Of Mex
lean nationality, and desired, If such
was its fate, to bury himself IN its
ruins.
What was the condition Of Mexico
on his return She was in trCuble
with the United States IN the Tehuaa-
tepee dispute. without revenue. ow-
ing large debts with no means Of pay
ing them, without anv army the from
tier subject to savage incursicns. fu-
catan and Lcwer California threaten
ed. and with al a weak and corrupt
administration That be reduced all
this chaos to something Ike order,
was no Insignificant achievement He
did more. be inspired sort Of enshu-
siasa in his election to the Imperial
oihee. The act was signed by seven
ty Of the leading men Of the nation
II received the assent of = large num-
Der of dep srtments. towns and cities
The adhesion Of the civil and military
authorities of the city Of Mexico was
given with rejoicings and eesebra-
tons. cities were illuminated and the
soldiers congratulated in general or
ders by commanders. on the happy
change that had taken place In Mexi.
eza.sfairs. But the people. the mass
es were uneasy and suilen 1Histo-