In the course of political commotions, to be reviewed in the next chapter, the armed forces were more and more stationed at the cities, where they lost discipline and became the agents of political schemers; and naturally, when the government admitted their right to take part as organized bodies in political affairs, the barracks came to supersede the legislative halls, bullets took the place of arguments, and the military men, becoming the arbiters on disputed points, regarded them—selves as supreme. Moreover, every administration felt it must have the support of this organization, and, not being able to dominate it, had to be dominated by it. Political trickery could therefore bring the officer far greater rewards than professional merit, and success in a revolt not only wiped away all stains of insubordination, cowardice and embezzlement, but ensured promotion. A second lieutenant who figured in six afiairs of that sort became almost necessarily a general, and frequently civilians who rendered base but valuable services on such occasions were given high army rank. No doubt some risk was involved, but it was really the nation as a whole that paid the penalties; and anyhow one could be bold for a day far more easily than be courageous, patient, studious, honest and loyal for a lifetime. All true military standards were thus turned bottom—side up, and some of the worst crimes a soldier can perpetrate became in Mexico the brightest of distinctions.[1]
Of course the discovery that rank and pay did not depend upon deserving them set every corrupt oflicer at work to get advanced, while it drove from the service, or at least discouraged, the few men of talents and honor; and as all subordination ceased, a general not only preferred officers willing to further his dishonorable interests, but actually dreaded to have strong and able men serve in his command. In 1823 the Mexican minister of war reported to Congress,’ "Almost the Whole army must be replaced, for it has contracted vices that Will not be removed radically in any other way, and four years later a militia system was theoretically established with a View to that end; but the old organization continued to flourish, and in April, 1846, the British minister said, "The Officers . . . are, as a Corps, the worst perhaps to be found in any part of the world. They are totally ignorant of their
- ↑ 5
