Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/777

Rh right of the army to impose any such plan upon the nation, and wished to establish a federal republic. At first the republican party had little power to further its own views, and many of its members lent support to the Bourbonists as the only means of defeating Iturbide, whose assumption of the crown they considered a more immediate danger than the possible acceptance of it by Fernando, or a prince of his house. They argued that during the interval that must elapse before the latter possibility could be realized, a liberal constitution would be formed, which would fetter the faculties of the monarch, and in case of no Spanish prince accepting the offer, the views of the people would meanwhile become enlightened, and a more general inclination to a republican form of government have been developed. Even if Iturbide eventually mounted the throne, his power would be more restricted than if he attained that elevation under the present circumstances. To the Bourbonists the Iturbidists also attached themselves, with the view of promoting their own private schemes. Thus the former party was at first strongly predominant. As a party, however, the Bourbonists soon ceased to exist. The Spanish córtes, by decree of February 13th, declared the treaty of Córdoba illegal, null, and void in so far as the Spanish government and its subjects were concerned. This decision broke up the Bourbonist faction. Its republican element joined the ranks of the republican party, while the monarchists, who would have a king under any circumstances, and still secretly hoped to see some prince of royal blood on the throne, cast their lot with the Iturbidists. Henceforward the struggle was confined to these two parties, and the contest soon became violent.