Part 11 (1/2)
TYRANT AND TOOL
_El Excellentissimo Illustrissimo General Don Jose Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna_
Such the twice sesquipedalian name and title of him who at this time wielded the destinies of Mexico For more than a quarter of a century thisRepublic--its direst, deadliest bane For although his rule was not continuous, its evil effects were
Unfortunately, the deht about by despotisn or life of the despot; and Santa Anna had so debased the Mexican people, both socially and politically, as to render theovern between the friends of freedom and its foes; and in the intervals of Liberal administration, because the Millennium did not immediately show itself, and make all rich, prosperous, and happy, they leaped to the conclusion that its failure was due to the existing _regi no account or allowance for the still uncicatrised wounds of the body politic being the work of his wicked predecessor
This ignorance of political cause and effect is, alas! not alone confined to Mexico There is enough of it in England, too, as in every other nation But in the earlier days of the Mexican Republic, the baneful weed flourished with unusual vigour and rankness--to the benefit of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and the blight of his country Deposed and banished so many times that their nuain--to the wonder of people then, and the puzzle of historians yet The explanation, however, is sih corruption that he had hih militarism and an abominable _Chauvinism_--this last as effective an instrument as the oppressor can wield _Divide et impera_ is a maxim of despotic state-craft, old as despotism itself; ”flatter and rule” is a method equally sure, and such Santa Anna practised to its full He let pass no opportunity of flattering the national vanity, which brought the Mexican nation to shame, with much humiliation--as the French at a later period, and as it her standard of honour than what may be derived fro of, the chief of the Mexican Republic was ai for it Its substance he already had, the ”Libertas” having been long since eliovernment, and trodden under foot But the title he had not acquired yet He yearned to wear the purple, and be styled ”Imperador,”
and in order to prepare his subjects for the change, already kept a sort of Irand ceremonials As ahimself not only political head of the State, but commander-in-chief of its armies As a consequence, _Palacio_, his official residence was beset with soldier-guards, officers in gorgeous unifor out and in, and in the Plaza Grande at all ti the spectacle of a veritable Chah the Mexican metropolis at this period would have supposed it the chief city of a Republic
On that same day in which Carlos Santander had shown himself at the Acordada, only at an early hour, the would-be Emperor was seated in his apartive audience to ordinary visitors He had got through the business affairs of the , dismissed his Ministers, and was alone, when one of the aides-de-camp in attendance entered with a card, and respectfully saluting him, laid it on the table before him
”Yes; say I can see hi the na, appeared Carlos Santander, in the uniforold bedizened, and laced from collar to cuffs
”Ah! Senor Don Carlos!” exclaimed the Dictator in a joyous, jocular way, ”what's your affair? Co the _muchachas_? From your cheerful countenance I should say it's that”
”Excellentissimo!”
”Oh! you needn't deny, or look so demure about it Well, you're a lucky fellow to be the lady killer I've heard say you are”
”Your Excellency, that's only say-say; I ought rather to call it slander I've no aht such a character Quite the reverse, I assure you”
”If you could assure h under my eye to know better Haven't I observed your little flirtations with quite half a score of our senoritas, a lady youthis, he fixed his eyes on Santander's face in a searching, interrogative way, as though he hi lady who had beenthe question, the other rejoined--
”It is very good of your Excellency to take such interest in rateful But I protest--”
”Cooperjury to profligacy Ha, ha, ha!”
And the grand dignitary leaned back in his chair, laughing For it was but badinage, and he in no way intended lecturing the staff-colonel on his s Instead, what cae hi--
”Yes, Senor Don Carlos, I'm aware of your _amourettes_, for which I'et the credit--so rulass house, so I cannot safely throw stones Ha, ha!”
The tone of his laugh, with his self-satisfied look, told of his being aught but angry with ru him
”Well, Excellentissinify what the world says, so long as one's conscience is clear”
”_Bravo--bravissimo_!” exclaimed the Most Excellent ”Ha, ha, ha!” he continued, in still louder cachinnation ”Carlos Santander turned h to h
Ha, ha, ha!”
The staff-colonel appeared soht be tending However, he ventured to remark--
”I aood hu”