Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/57

Rh world are in arms. The few are fighting to be master; the many are struggling to be free. The result is predetermined.

In Mexico opinion is becoming somewhat clarified; ideas are coalescing and action concentrating, particularly in the capital. And yet all is dim and indistinct enough. The leaven of liberty is working; but beware the fangs of superstition, beware the sword of Spain, beware the dungeons of the inquisition and tortures beyond the grave! And where shall be found a leader? Here is opportunity; where is the man?

Perhaps through Iturrigaray's brain run ambitious dreams. As likely there as anywhere. He is none too good to play the part of traitor to his king; though if successful revolution makes of him a thing for popular worship, he is indeed in a dilemma, for nature has not endowed him with one spark of nobility or patriotism. Most justly upon the head of this vile representative of a vile monarchy has fallen the curse of the colonists. He and his associates, like their master, have made themselves rich over the ruin of the most industrious and worthy of Spain's subjects. Yet he may be deemed useful. A bad man is sometimes better for the furtherance even of a good cause than a good man. But Iturrigaray is a coward and a hypocrite a man not the best either for traitor or patriot. He has no thought of self-sacrifice; on the contrary, should he perchance make Mexico free, he must be well paid for it. Mexico may be freed from France, from Spain perchance; but not from him, not from Spain's officials. If he can save Mexico to Spain, of course Fernando, or whoever may be at Madrid to draw and spend the revenues, will remember it. So day after day this dog waits to see which way the French cat will jump.

When the intelligence reaches Mexico that the Spanish crown has slipped from the fingers of Spanish kings, it seems to the people as if the earth was loosened from its orbit. Groups of anxious men,