Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/545

 APFEN DIX. 505 the Insurgents, and of Morelos ; intermingled with cries of " Death to the Government, — to the King, — to Ferdinand VII " There were Vivas, too, for the authors of the Pensador and Juguetillo, and for the " Defender of the Mexican clergy." (Dr. Don Julio Garcia de Torres. ) 136. — It thus became evident that no laws, however excellent in themselves, are applicable under all circumstances : and that the liberty of the press, which was intended to disseminate that general information which might have remedied the calamities of the country, only increased them by increasing the general corruption. The political writings of the day produced upon the natives the same eifect that spirituous liquors cause amongst savages ; nor could any restrictions or modifications pre- vent a law, most beneficent in itself, from being converted into an engine of destruction, by the protection which it afforded to those, whose only aim it was to prepare for a general explosion by inflaming the blackest passions of the multitude. 137. — Such was the unanimous opinion of the sixteen members of this court. 142. — In conformity to it, the Viceroy suspended the liberty of the press : — a measure too unfavourable to the interests of the rebels, not to be received by them with loud disappi-obation. 146. — The Indulto, granted almost by anticipation to traitors, has pro- duced effects similar to the consequences of the liberty of the press. 147. — Even were the general opinion not what it is, men would find it their interest to write seditious papers, — knowing that they will be well received, and better paid, — and to join the Insurgents afterwards, knowing that the Indulto will secure to them the enjoyment of whatever they may plunder while amongst them. 152. — The Consulado, which comprehends the majority of European residents, demanded passports for all its members in the event of the liberty of the press being re-established. 154. — But if it be impossible to execute, at present, the article of the Constitution which relates to this point ; it is still more so to carry into effect those respecting popular elections. — The experiment, nevertheless, was made. In a country where a hundred persons cannot meet without some disturbance, seven millions of men were called together, with all the air and outward pomp of absolute sovereignty, in virtue of a law which could never have been intended to apply to such extraordinary circumstances. 157-8. — In the elections for Mexico a thousand intrigues and informa- lities occurred, which ought to have invalidated the whole proceeding. 159. — The result, however, was, that not a single European, or an American distinguished by his patriotism,* was returned as elector. cause of Spain ; as Fatriotas were Royalist volunteers.
 * Patriotism is, of course, used by the Audiencia to express devotiOn to the