The Clifton clarion., 1885-02-25
The Mexican.

Eastern States, or from abroad, the Mexican, as one of the prop critics on the stage of Arizona, is an universal object of interest. He comes from that semi-trop1cal half-Spanish country belonging to the vast domain sometimes called the Kingdom of Manyana; and in his mental attributes he does not belle the name. Manyana is the time for accomplishing everything. It is the time for going to work, for buying provisions, and particu
 larly for paying his debts. He is never in a hurry. Whether it is trait inherited from his proud Spanish ancestors, who never can so lower their dignity as to run or whether it is characteristic of the indigenous Aztec to be "con- additionally tired" it would be difficult to say-probably both have there influence. But certain it is, that it must be something very exciting that will cause a Mexican to in any way expedite his movements. A person cannot but think that the accession of Central America and Mexico by Spain, was anything but benefit to those countries.
 Cortez found quite a high order of civilization in the City of the Montezumas, when he pillaged it, and we have evidence, even here, that there must have lived along the canyons and water-courses of Arizona, many hundreds of years ago, race that must have been quite advanced in the arts and sci ences, and who might, without much exaggeration, have been called civilized. What he left be- hind him we can form some opin- ion of from the Mexicans living in this country, who, from all ac
 counts, represent the smarter class among the lower order of Mexi- cans-an ignorant, superstitious, thiftless, class of people.
 But let us see what have been his opportunities for improvements: His native country, during the present century, has been practi- cally an anarchy. Revolution has followed revolution, and from the social condition of things existing, any one almost could command a following who had money. The Emperor Iturbide, who was de throned some time before 1880, I've forgotten the exact date), ap' pears to have been a moderate ruler. After him camo a number of presidents. dictators, and one thing and another, until the time of famous Santa Ana, whom we fought against in 1S46. Santa Ana was in power at two different times, and was undoubtedly a man of some merit. Then nothing of note occurred until the Emperor Napoleon III, being obliged to do something to keep the French people in good humor, conceived the idea of extending his domain into this country. He was ably assisted and seconded by the wife of Maximilian, of Austria, and the Pope of Rome. Maximllian himself was more of peace lov ing man, and had it not been for his wife, would probably have never left his native country. Well, Maximilian came-ostensi ply at the request of the Mexican people, but in reality only through the machinations of the Church. As long as his French soldiers re- mained with him he was safe, and as he had only killed a few of the natives in establishing himself, he reigned for a few short months Emperor of Mexico. When, how ever, at the close of our civil war, Napoleon was requested to take his soldiers back to France, and the request was further strength ened by the fact that Gen. Grant was ready with half a million men to enforce the request, vi ct armis if necessary, then poor Maximilian was indeed in sore strait. Now, appears on the scene, as if by the hand of some averaging Nemesis, a man named Juarez, a lawyer by profession, and a full blooded In dian. This man, sprung direct from the native stock so long trod- den down by foreign foes-comes to the front as the leader of the peoples party! and after many sore trials and privations, in all of which he showed the character