New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-14

quent, Ano 80 stx0nG was GneB deVouOnai L
faith that those selected as offerings TO the
gods were rendered happy by the choice
At the time that Cortex became master of |
Mexico it was estimated that no less than |
forty thousand religious temples existed |
in that country.
The conquering Spaniards, favored by a
prophetic prediction generally believed
by the Mexicans, that they were about
that time to be visited by superior peo-
pie, akin to their deities, found COM
paratively little difficulty in MAX
ing themselves masters of the coun-
try. In their ambitious desires to
this end they were stimulated by double
purpose-a desire to possess the extraor-
binary wealth, evidences of which were
everywhere abundant, and to convert the
Indian idolators from the error of their
ways into the true faith, of which every
Spanish adventurer in the country was
devoted propaganda.
Among the presents sent by Monte
yuma to Cortez, there was single piece
of gold plate, which was afterwards
valued in Europe at fifty thousand
guineas, while, in delicacy of workman
ship, that and other articles proved the
superiority of the native Mexican as COM
pared with the Spanish goldsmiths. Nor
were the cotton fabrics produced less sur
prising for the fneness of their structure
and the excellence of their dyes.
Such was the country, and such the
people that Cortez conquered, and
for three hundred years Mexico con-
tinued to be the treasure-house of
Spain. Long continued oppression
and misgovernment induced the peo-
pie of the country to rise against
their foreign rulers, and eventually they
succeeded in establishing their indie
pendence and of seating Iturbide on the
long vacant throne of the Montezumss.
Almost Immediately thereafter a spirit OF
rivalry was established among the mixed
Spanish and native chieftains, and from
that time to the present the genius of rev
olution has prevailed throughout the
land. The progress of the country has
thus been materially hindered and every
important interest has been sacrificed to
the Yengeful rapacity of partisan leaders.
Even the brief re-establishment of the
empire by Macmillan was but an Incl
dent in the general drama Of confusion,
, and since its tragical termination inter
rupted Louis Napoleon's dream of a grand
Latin supremacy of rule, the old policy
: Of revolution and exclusion has again as
: sumed its chronic consistency.
At present there are three claimants tc
the presidency Of Mexico, with but little
! chance on the part of either OF such sue
cess rs viii secure general soquiescence
Now the question is, whether this chroni,
: state Of revolution, forced exaetions anC
general lawlessness extending over pc
Rod of more than half century, SHOULD
longer be tolerated by the American gov
eminent and people. If the government
! Of Europe are warranted in the cours,
they are now pursuing toward Turkey OF
: the score of neighborhood and genera
4 community of interest, surely the tim
has arrived for cur government to inter
Vene in the affairs Of Mexico. Outrage
upon outrsges have been committe,
8 against our citizens and wrongs upol
s wrongs against civilization and humanity
and with such condition of affairs tn
: day Of wrath must at length arrive. Eve
the well-being of the common people Q
Mexico demands our intervention. TIL
: intense bitterness existing between tn
. chieftains of the clerical and anti-clerica
4 parties proves the hopelessness ofany sat
isfactory domestic solution of the grea
: questions involved, for Of that bitterness
there can be no end till it is forced upol
. the country by power from without.