Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/819

Rh Inflated by self-importance since the war of independence, it readily develops into a cormorant feeding on the vitals of the nation. It becomes the pliant instrument of its ambitious spirits-men who, impelled by vanity and greed, seize a favorable moment, and, assisted by distance from the centre or by the preoccupied or enforced situation of the authorities, swing themselves by a series of frequently bloodless revolutions from corporals and lieutenants to generals, meanwhile hiding defalcations and extorting concessions. With growing strength they become party leaders, menace the supreme government itself, and either dictate terms or install more compliant rulers. The result is an administration at once spiritless and inefficient, depending on the caprice of selfish factions, and unable, from lack of stability and means, to carry out the policy of reform with which it has deluded the people and gained consent to a tenure of power. Frequently the new heads aim only at a division of spoils, in view of their precarious position, and promote maleadministration by surrendering places of trust to those who have helped to install them, to favorites, and to opponents who must be conciliated. Corruption extends into every department; officials abuse their power by extortion and oppression, intent only on making the most of their prospectively brief term. Half the national revenue is absorbed ere it reaches the treasury; justice is sold to the highest bidder; and the army, the main reliance of the powers that be, becomes demoralized under officers who depend on its good-will. The people themselves encourage abuses by an indolent good nature that objects to harsh though wholesome restraint.

One striking result of the disorder is foreign intervention and invasion, based on unfulfilled promises and obligations, lured by thirst for trade and spoliation, and favored by anarchy; all of which give cause and opportunity for secession. A powerful neighbor bestirs herself to goad the nation to a war for which it