The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-08-25
MEXICO.
BY Eber Cole Byam.
Part XVII.

In 1921 Mexican independence was
secured by the detection of Iturbide
with body of trained troops. AS
to whether he judged rightly in seek
ing to establish monarchy, we can
only say that that system of govern
ment was the only one with which
the Mexican was familiar.
The Revolutionary forces in the
War of independence" had operated
to large extent independently of
each other, and were not little dis
concerted at the sudden turn of events
which gained the object they had
claimed to seek. Of truth, "inde-
pretext for pillage.
The royal forces had been COM
posed largely of Creoles-that is,
Amefican-born white men-command
ed by men of ability and distinction
Upon the signing of the agreement
between Iturbide and the newly ar
rived Viceroy ODonoju (O'Donoghue)
most of these passed over to the in
dependent forces. This was viewed
with extreme dislike by the revolu-
tionaries, who were largely made up
of the ignorant half-breed element
under guerrilla commanders of doubt
full antecedents. What these rascals
sought was to kill all the Spaniards
or drive them from the country, con-
fiscate their goods and possess them
selves of the public offices for pur-
poses of official pillage. That the
moderate element formed but an in
finitesimal portion of the revolution
airy horde is proved by subsequent
events.
The American Minister Anti-Catholic.
Poinsett was strongly anti-Catholic
and took an active part in the po-
litical activities which had for their
end the destruction of the Church.
1turbide ordered him out of the coun-
try, but he returned when Victoria
became President in 1924.
The disorders consequent upon in
dependence were viewed with alarm
and misgivings by all classes. Poin-
sett, who made trip through the
country in 1922, makes frequent men
ton of the disgust expressed by
everybody over the prevailing condi-
tions, which caused the real sufferers,
the mass of the people, to long for a
return of the viceregal security and
low taxes.
1t had been a barrack grand stand
play that put Iturbide in power, and
it was by that same means he was
deposed. The real people had little
regard for him in the first instance
but were not consulted; in the end
they would have had him remain, but
their wishes were not regarded.
1t was Santa Anna who helped to
overthrow his benefactor, 1turbide
and from that time until old age pre-
vented him, he remained the principal
stable and Enthusiastically to degree
he became Liberal or "Conserva
tive as best suited his momentary
interests. Never strong enough to re
tain long the supreme power, he was
ever successfully plotting to over
revolution against himself at one time
to keep up interest. The history O
Mexico for over thirty years is thu
history of the revolutions of Santa
Anna
Mexican Masonry"
The Masonic organization played
leading role in the lawlessness, ant
it is said that the assassination o
Iturbide was planned in some of thu
lodges. The escape of Iturbide from
this fate became the occasion of
charge of having betrayed the sc
crets of the society" against one Gen
Valero, who was driven into exile a.
a result.
The French Revolution, with it's eX
IRENE interpretations of the rights O
men to violate the moral code, sprea,
the virus of it's diseased philosoph.
to Spain, and thence to Mexico
potent factor in the dissemination O
this false Liberalism" was Free
masonry" Not the fraternal organ
ization known in Anglo-Saxon cour
tries, but a hybrid paraphrase, usin
mystery and secrecy as a cloak t
hide political and revolutionary actiy
ity. Brotherly love and charity 'hav
little place in Latin Masonry, an
these brethren were found unite
on but one subject-attack upon tn
Church. Poinsett, the American Mir
lister, introduced the York Rite,
which was at once "Latinized," bu
this was as oil upon the fires of revC
luton, which only blazed the higher
The earlier bodies were known as tn
"Escoceses" Scottish Rite), and
bitter warfare soon ensued betwee
the "Escoceses'' and the "Yorl1inos,
as those of the York Rite" wer
called. These two bodies EVENTUAL
gave birth to hybrid third Gale
the National Rite which APPARENT
inherited it's full share of evil fror
it's parents.
Masonry became fad and eac
s'Rite" proselyted assiduously t
swell it's ranks. The "Escoceses
were Republican partisans of tn
centralized government and repre-
sented the more sober element, Will
the s'Yorkinos" we're Democratic
radicals and strongly anti-Spanish