Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/661

Rh villages which proclaimed him emperor. The empire idea was not confined to one class, as we have already seen; and it found a certain support among those who, since the late war of invasion, began to think of a Hispano-American confederacy. Some, despairing even of autonomy midst the continued strife of factions, demanded in addition a protectorate, preferably under Spain. Alaman had lately stood at the head of those who advocated monarchy as the only promising means for imparting stability to the government, and confidence on the part of foreign powers; but they deemed the prestige of a European prince essential to the project, and had been sounding the western powers regarding a member of the Spanish royal family. Alaman's successor continued negotiations till the fall of the ministry at Madrid caused them to be suspended, for the time at least, greatly to the delight of Santa Anna, who naturally objected to an interloper, and looked only too longingly at a sceptre for himself. But the rocket flight of Iturbide's empire had struck a warning chill among native aspirants, and the quack and cackle of the aforesaid villages found no reverberating echo to redeem their feebleness, yet they served by the contrast to make other proclamations seem less excessive and ridiculous. This was a great gain in itself, and Santa Anna could bide his time. In the agitation for things of such importance as the government of the country, it was not expected that common people should do aught else than swell the refrain; for had not governors and officials been appointed by superior wisdom to speak and act for them? Unlike the irresolute and bewildered masses, often guided by ridiculous notions of liberty and