Page:Mexico, picturesque, political, progressive.djvu/201

Rh mistaken. He who preferred the empire was a German and a manufacturer. The advocate of the republic was a professor of mathematics.

The fact remains, that the republic was born of Mexican ideas, has been maintained exclusively by Mexican arms, is based upon sound principles, and must gradually awaken the entire people into a healthful and independent interest in its perpetuation. Charges of dishonesty are freely made against men in high administrative place, as well as against government officials generally. We had no means of ascertaining how much truth might be in these assertions. If they be true, Mexico cannot be accused of isolation in that, at least. No judgment upon the Government would be reasonable which does not take into account the configuration of the country; its immense foreign debt, for which the present Government should be held not responsible beyond certain moderate limits; the enormous expenditure required, and the inconsiderable revenue obtainable; the sources whence the revenue must for the present be derived; and the social state, due almost entirely to the effects of foreign misrule. "Barter and the obtaining of gold" for Spain