Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1877-08-17
snnIn and Mexico.
Correspondence Of The Herald.l

Our earliest acquaintance with Mex
leo is intimately associated In our men,
ories with the fiery valor and gorgeous
display of Spanish chlvalry. It was
directly after the Court of CASTLE had
triumphed over the Moor and driven
the Crescent back to its native east.
In ~gallantry, in %pollteness, in arms and
in enterprise, Spain had become the
model and the ornament OF Christen-
dom. The spirit Of chivalry and the
love Of adventure were bursting from
the souls Of her sons, as the rich excess
OF Juice splits rinds and pours from the
fruits kissed by the fiery sun of the
tropics. A bold and speculative ge-
MUS had but recently caught glimpses
of new world, and fleets Of discovery
already began 10 whiten aud vex the
waters OF every sea. The Spanish adj
venturer was pr%e-eminently distin.
guished for boldness and perseverance,
This is evidenced in the conduct Of
those who followed the fortunes Of
Columbus, and the many other ambi-
tious chiefs who sailed forth to explore
the secrets of an unknown ocean, and
10 seek excitement, glory and riches
amid the dangers OF an unknown con-
tinent. Their courage and determine
ton was illustrated by heroic exam.
pies, and emblazoned by illustrious
achievements. No argus.eyed sem
tinel stood guard over the
western Hesperides to preserve their
treasures from the avaricious and ann
bilious. Soon every breeze that blew
from the Southwest, waited 10 the
ports Of Spain numerous merchant
vessels freighted with "barbaric pearl
and gold" In the vast wilderness Of
America, surrounded by immense
forests and unlearned sAvages, an opu-
lent, q Well.organiZed, and q magnii-
cent empire was discovered aud sub.
dued. Europe beheld with delight and
amazement the grandeur Of the devel-
opments made by Mexico. Her soil
was everywhere teeming with the
rare productions Of q genial climate
aided by an enlightened industry.
Her large cities, beautiful palaces, and
splendid temples, decorated with silver,
gold and feather work, displayed q
genius for ornament and architecture.
Her floating gardens and picture
writing marked . still further advance
ment In civilization. Her organized
police, her disciplined armies, her
formidable priesthood, and her veneer.
able dynasty, indicated q most power
full and elaborate scheme Of civil Gov.
eminent. Fabulous wealth, an i'm.
posing capitol, and tributary princes,
threw around her such an air Of mag
n~ificence, that she was for q consider
able time believed to be In advance oil
European civilization. So attrac.
tive were her lovely lakes aud
scenery, so prolific was her soil
In agricultural and mineral resour.
ces, so inviting were the genial
warmth and ~salubrity of her climate
that numbers of the noblest sons and
daughters of Spain swelled the tide o.
emigration which set toward her favor,
cd shores. The warm colors and bright
tints Of romance became the Just anG
appropriate decorations of history
Nor was there sught too incredible fol
belief.or too surprising for expectation
were lite location only fixed IN Mexico.
In these regions, so highly favored by
Heaven, there was wanting only the
germ of Christianity, for the develop.
ment OF q mightier Empire than had
ever before marched beneath the cres-
cent or the cross.
The imagination can hardly conceive
q contrast nor melancholy and sur,
prising than that which the present
condition OF these countries exhibits
Fora considerable period after IT,, con,
quest OF America, the wealth Ct Mex.
leo and Peru exalted Spain 10 III, chic
eminence Of power and splendor il
Europe. IL Is, however, a subject O
curious speculation to determine
whether the brilliant achievements o
Cortes and Pizzarro have ultimately
proven more ruinous to the subdueC
than the triumphant race. Wealt,
with luxury rolled IN upon Spain. HeI
energy and vitality were soon enfeeble(
by sloth, and the genius aud public
spirit Of her SON soon began to rot IL
the damp vault, OF sensualily. A
palsy seems TO have smitteI
her civilizttiDu, whitening ant
blighting her religion, prosperity
aud advancement. The political or
CARNATIONS OF America were, on thu
other hand, completely destroy ed, and
their peculiar civilizations were rooted
up ere they had obtained their full
ness OF bloom aud development. TheiI
decorative arts, their religious celebra
tons, aud their imposing Nationa
solemHities faded away, and were los
Under European customs and usurpa
lions. Spain ruled Mexico near thre,
centuries, when the decsyed yoke wa.
thrown OIL, and a kind Of Na,iona
government established. When the
republican was substituted for the mo
narchical form OF government, room
was lett for contest between federal
ism and consolidation. These sniago
uislic principles have proven a proli Il,
source Of internal commissions. Usur
p%ations, civil wars, prescriptions o
factions, have distracted aud over
whelmed the people, and brought up
M the country absolute political disor
vanizAtion and ruin, Perhaps Their