The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-28

One gentleman, who is nominally Presi-
dent of Mexico, is fugitive. perhaps at
Panama another, who regards himself as
the constitutionally designated occupant of
that Office, is ut San Francisco and 'the
lucky soldier" the character of the drama
who comes up in all conceivable national
complications, and has done 80 from time
immemorial, makes himself at home in the
Mexican capital, Yields an absolute author
ity with humane moderation, and pays to
the forms of constitutional government the
compliment of desiring that they should
seem to bestow upon him that right to rule
his country which he has wrested by the
sword from all opposing forces.
Mr.. Iglesias' position from his own point
of view and as stated briefly by himself is
given in our columns to-day and it indi-
Gates necessarily his view of the positions
respectively of his opponent. who has at
least a presentable appearance of right. as
well as of him who has the artillery. II this
were a case in which it was Of much practi-
cal consequence who was right it might be
i'm portant to say that the title to the Next
can Presidency is constitutionally IN the
Chief Justice, who is now safe in San
Francisco, but does not seem wise enough to
stay there though this leaves out OF view
all the extra constitutional occasions which
arise in disordered States. Constitutions,
like compasses, are good to steer by on
smooth seas or stormy ones; but the case
sometimes arises when the fidelity of the
needle to the pole is varied by the effect of
some nearer magnetic influence, and when
obedience to the needle wrecks the ship;
and adherence to the letter of the law is
sometimes equally disastrous. Our own
history is in evidence on this point. If con-
situations are of more consequence than
the nations for whose advantage they
are made they are to be the unchanging
rule of action in every crisis, not other
wise and for this reason Lerdo or Diaz,
if they cared to do SO, might give reasons
for their political acts as cogent at least
as the constitutional reason given for his by
Iglesias.
Every one will notice that the current
events of Mexican history give us the same
old story with new names 1t is not story
peculiar to that country. 1t is the Oldest
story in political history. Some writer's in
Europe who fancy they are satirists are wont
to picture this Mexican drama as the last
stage of republican politics, but it is equally
the last stage of all other politics-royal, I'M
peral or even pontifcal. Whether the drama
of a nations progress be ''tragedy, comedy,
history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, histori-
cal-pastoral, scene individable or poem
unlimited" this situation occurs again
and again in the course of the play.
He that is in authority, by no matter what
title or name, finds his authority disputed
In monarchy it is declared that he is not
the true heir; in hierarchical State that
some defling fact in his career invalidates
his election in a republic that the votes
have been falsely counted. In all, therefore,
that the constitution has been violated. On
this hint discomfort deems itself alb
solved from obedience All the elements
of opposition unite on defeated candidate,
another heir or constitutional successor,
and civil war follows. Victory declares for
one side or the other, and the leaders of the
beaten party are killed or save themselves
date comes forward to seize the crown or
the curule chair, and is Just in time to see
his ardently desired treasure appropriated
by the general who had commanded the
armies. Greece, Rome, Egypt, Assyria,
India, Russia, Italy, France, have been
filed with this and Mexico herself, that
now again witnesses the same old piece, saw
the fierce wars of iival races, the Toltecs,
Chichimecs, Tepemecs, Aztecs and Acol-
huis.
There are, however, variations due to
race, climate and other attendant circum-
Stances and there is a large number of
characteristic facts in operation in the
neighboring Republic. There is Roman
Catholic Church that was at one time in full
accord with the principles of eighty-nine,"
as these were applied in Mexico; and that
was very peculiar institution, whose ac-
tivity accounts for great part of recent
Mexican history. Another fact not without
precedent, but always remarkable in the
history of nation, is that the vast mass
of the population is undisturbed, in
different, in the presence OF ever-recur-
ring revolutions; continues its small indus
tries with sturdy patience, almost unaware
that part of the population is constantly
making new governments, new constitu-
tions, new wars and new peaces, stirred
onlv from time to time when the new tax
ations come too close together. There are
less than two million people of the Spanish
race and upward of seven millions of the
descendants of the people the Spaniards
found in the country. And these hardy,
capable, vigorous, but over patient seven
millions labor on stolidly and permit hand