American minister,[1] but the real founder was the clergyman, José María Alpuche, rector of a parish in Tabasco, and senator from that state.[2] To Poinsett was also attributed the formation of a plan to do away with the somewhat aristocratic character of the government, which was still influenced by the old families, the clergy, and the army, and of replacing it, not with a pure democracy, but by introducing a class of men who were merely ambitious office-hunters less respectably connected. Alaman has fathered on Poinsett this absurd charge. He would also have us believe that the president had been assured by members of the Scottish rite lodges that though they had opposed his candidacy, they cheerfully bowed to his authority, in which assurance he placed no faith.[3] In these Scottish lodges were affiliated Barragan, Negrete, Echávarri, Guerrero, Filisola, and other prominent generals and colonels, besides many regular and secular priests, and civilians of social and political standing. Several deputies and the minister Esteva had been officers of such lodges, and seceded to join the new societies. After the overthrow of Iturbide, due in a great measure to the action of the ancient rite lodges, it is true that many of their members forsook them to join the York lodges, but the escoceses still had for a time much influence with the government and congress. Later, however, the desertion became so general and simultaneous that some Scottish lodges held meetings with the object of placing themselves,
- ↑ Zavala pronounces it a pure invention of the aristocrats, and of some European agents who meddled with Mexican affairs much more than Poinsett ever did. After five lodges had been organized Poinsett was requested to procure a charter. This step, and the installation of the grand lodge, was all the part that Poinsett took in the matter. That author declares, besides, that he, Zavala, was invited to join a lodge, and did so without any political design. Revol. Mex., i. 346.
- ↑ He is represented as a restless spirit, a sort of Danton, without his brains. In the senate he worried the ministry with questions and bitter reproaches. To his political opponents he gave no rest, and they, in their turn, gave him a bad character. His death was sudden. Tornel, Breve Reseña list., 308-9; Alpuche, Rasgo Hist., in Pap. Sueltos, no. xi.
- ↑ For information on origin, political principles, and action of the escoces party, from 1813 to 1826, see Mora, Pap. Sueltos, i. pp. xii.-xiv.
