Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-03-17

closes with August, 1921. and the completion
at the Mexican capital OF the bloody con-
quest, and the dismissal by cOFteS CT his
allie?
''They vent their way, happy in their slaves and
spoils; happy in the thought OF humolsd zoe !
happy in the promises of the Splnisrds They dld
not knew poor s'mpletons, that all along the days
and nights of this terrible siege, with sword and
lance on Aztec breast, thew had been forging Their
own letters, which they and their children long
must wear.
1.-THE conquest of Mexico was less a subjugation
by Spanish soldiers han their skilliul maneuveTing
of New World forces against enc another. Had
Anahuac been united, it would have succumbed less
readily. perhaps never. As it was while the native
nations were Staying another, fighting out their
ancient feuds, the sstue Spaniards laid their all
possessing hand upon the country. Nor was any
apology on their part needed before Chiistendom.
Mankind to this day have not become so humane
and lust as not to find for any wrong within
the realms Of strength and inclination. WHAT then
could be expected Of an age and nation wherein 1t
was not uncommon TO cloak crime under the giTo
# religion? Hitherto came the Spaniards to muir.
der and to rob-to rob and murder In the name Of
charity and sweet heaven"
In 3 note following this quotation, the
author states his conviction that, taken as q
whole, the testimony of eye-Eitnessss and
the eariy chronicles on the conquest may be
considered as July up TO the average of his
toricaI evidence. While there is. he admits,
no little exsggeration. and some downright
mendscity, such were the number of the wit
nesses, the time, place and circumstances OF
their several relations, and the cleagness Of
their ties inony, that We find no difficulty,
with regard to any importsnt matters, ia de-
termining truth and fslsehood. When, 10
ad iiSion to the writings Of tie Spanisrds, we
have architectural remains as collateral evil
! dercs, every seaIcher after tTrth may be satis-
fed. He pays, ct the close of the volume, a
fitting tribute of esteem to Prescott, 81 hose
only fault, he believes, was excess
of amiabi!ity. He expresses his Gdmira.
ton for the MN and the author in
terms which leave 10 doubt OF the
| sincerity sud conscientious character of his
previous criticisms of his works. Closing the
volume after reading full OF pleasure, we
look back upon the work as one of greatest
value to the literary world. The 112 close
pages giving the authorities examined dis
close 10 us the patient and exhaustive re-
search that must have preceded the penning
Of the book, which, however, without Til
evidences the same fact upon every page
| The interest is better maintained than In the
immediately preceding volume, the nara.
tive is closer in the relationship of it, severa
parts, and the diotion is more finished and
less formal. The author has happily KEPT
| himself free from mere and gross details. snc
takes tbs reader along higher walks aud BY
more direct routes to the chief events in the
cofquest Of Mexico. He appears to be il
deeper sympathy with the conquered. but his
bias is not of that character which blinds tt
the truth or obscures the historical vision.