Page:The War with Mexico, Vol 1.djvu/74

Rh by the pestilence of the coast, he occupied a most advantageous position; and consistency did not signify.

Near the close of the year the two chiefs, brought together by Pedraza, adjusted the affairs of the nation—that is to say, the offices—as private business, and the troops on both sides were liberally rewarded. Congress protested, but was utterly powerless. Bustamante soon found it wise to give up the Presidency; and as the elections were not general enough, at the proper time, to create a Congress, constitutional government vanished. However, though Pedraza had resigned and even left the country, which no President could legally do, Santa Anna and Bustamante now hoisted him into power to complete the term interrupted by Guerrero, while the "best citizens" fell out over ofﬁces and personal issues, and so dissipated the brightest prospect seen as yet in Mexican public life.

Under these circumstances, of course, the dominant general, Santa Anna, was elected President. For Vice-President the choice fell upon Valentin Gomez Farías, leader of the radical Federalists. In many ways Farías deserved warm admiration. e was active, indefatigable, fearless, thoroughly honest, and willing—perhaps a little more than willing—to serve the public in the humblest or the highest ofﬁce. He loved Mexico ardently, and he believed in the supremacy of law and the civil authority unfortunately, however, his education was inadequate for the work he undertook to do; and he lacked prudence, patience and common sense In short, he may be characterized as a fanatical democrat and political idealist.

Santa Anna now had the army at his back, but he desired to have also the privileged classes there, and they had been exasperated by his overthrowing Bustamante. He therefore decided to let them see they needed him; and, retiring early in 1833 to his estate—which in fact he enjoyed much more than bearing the burdens of administration—he left the Vice-President in power. Farías then undertook to transform Mexico, by merely saying "Open Sesame!" to the Federalist majority in Congress, into a modern, liberal, orderly and prosperous nation; and reform projects made their appearance at once. The privileges of the army were boldly attacked and still more those of the Church, which aimed to be in the social