Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/300

284 Since the beginning in 1810 of Hidalgo's short career, he has been held in varying esteem, at different times and by different persons and classes. He has been placed in about every category of humanity, and adjudged to be of every order of being, every shade of quality, from an angel of light to a bloody-minded and revengeful monster. A brief analysis of his character, from a standpoint intended to be impartial, brings the following results:

We will take it for granted that the cause in which he engaged was just, that the impulses prompting to it were noble; for it is not necessary to say at this day that it is right to overthrow tyranny, to achieve liberty, to deliver one's country, or that his memory should be held in holy repute who lays down his life for these things.

Before embarking in his high enterprise, Hidalgo was an humble priest, of more than ordinary gentleness of nature, and refinement of intellect and culture. Some have sought to besmear his fair fame with charges of conduct not consistent with strict morality; but nothing of moment has ever been proved against him in this direction; and were it so, those who hold such matters in such serious esteem will have little to say if they will examine into the state of society in the place and at the time he lived. It shows a small mind to attempt thus to belittle great men; and it is still worse when the charges brought forward are palpably false.

Almost without knowing it, and surely before he intended it, this gentle priest found himself at the head of his people crying aloud to heaven for liberty, swearing to heaven that his country should be free! It has been said of him that he was not a great general; he never pretended to be one. He has been charged with extreme cruelty. From some