Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/644

624 used these means to the fullest extent. They pointed out the absolute need for a man of his recognized ability and energy to bring order out of the prevailing strife, which might otherwise degenerate into anarchy and dissolution, and to put a check on the savage raids in the north, and on the threatening invasions along both frontiers.

Under such circumstances, it was not surprising that the state votes, opened on the 17th of March as arranged, should declare for the wily hero of Vera Cruz by an overwhelming majority. And now for a rush to be foremost in bringing him the gratifying news. No less was the haste on his part; for before the official notification could reach him, he sent assurances that he was prepared to coöperate with leading men, and sacrifice himself for the good of the country, even so far as to retire again if this should seem advisable. At the same time he began to send his instructions to Lombardini, who obediently accepted the role of mouth-piece. He left in March the village of Turbaco, not far from Cartagena, where he had for some time been figuring as beneficent patron, and reached Vera Cruz on April 1st. It was a day appropriately significant of deluded hopes, cherished by the people no less than by the crowd of adherents and office-seekers, who jostled one another at the landing-place, eager to render homage to the dictator, and receive the boon of his passing glance. Among them were not only conservatives of all grades, but men of prominence