Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/21

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HISTORY OF MEXICO.


CHAPTER I.

REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION.

1823-1824.

Demoralized Condition of the Army — A Bad Precedent — The New Government — Congressional Acts the Triumvirate Foreign Loans and Financial Measures — National Coat of Arms and Flag — Federalists and Centralists Their Press Organs — Political Troubles — Honors To Heroes of the Independence — A Constituent Congress Installed — Acta Constitutiva — Federal System Adopted — Revolutions — Lobato's Revolt — Disturbances In Jalisco — Victoria Elected President — The Constitution — Organization of States and Territories — Union of Chiapas with Mexico — The Federal District.

Liberty, equality, fraternity: these words fall pleasantly on ears accustomed for three centuries only to the grinding of the chains of tyranny. But even now all is not sunshine; and what light there is dazzles rather than cheers. Many years must yet elapse before the full benefits of the long and bloody struggle for independence will be fully felt. But the more immediate infelicities, whence do they arise?

After this manner. There is set in motion among men caring more for themselves than for their country the wheel of retribution, which scarcely stops turning for half a century. Somewhat as Iturbide had dethroned the viceroy Apodaca, Santa Anna and others had dethroned Iturbide. Made governor in Vera Cruz, Santa Anna revolted, and detached that