Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/236

216 After the victory at Acajete, Santa Anna had made a veritable triumphal entry into Mexico, and each subsequent success added to his laurels. Centralism seemed firmer than ever, and under its wing was drawn from neglect the memory of Iturbide, to be exalted above that of the federalist heroes as the author of independence and as the patron of the ruling party. The approaching return of Bustamante and certain aspects of the political horizon induced the wary Santa Anna to retire to his estate on the plea of bad health, leaving the government in charge of Nicolás Bravo, president of the council, who took the oath as substitute president on July 10, 1839. Nine days later the actual president returned to reassume the control. He was received with customary honors, but even among his own party he appeared greatly overshadowed by the clever shams of his predecessor, while opponents proved so merciless in casting ridicule on his dilatory and cautious military march in the north-east departments that he was induced to publish a defence of his conduct, seeking to take as much credit as possible for directing the finally successful movements of Arista and other generals. The aging Bustamante was evidently not the dashing cavalry leader of the independence war.

Although hostile demonstrations were rapidly being suppressed in the north and west, the feeling of the people found expression in demands for constitutional