p. 106 | Mexico | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 5, 1867

Mexico.

The Present Status of the Land of the Montezumas.

The restoration of the Mexican Republic is now proceeding with remarkable rapidity. Lately we have had the important news that Juarez has made a triumphant entry into Durango, the capital of the State of the same name, Durango is about equally distant from Chihuahua—which so long served as a place of refuge to Juarez, while nearly the whole of Mexican territory was in the hands of the invaders—and the City of Mexico. But Durango is far from being the Southern frontier of the territory under the actual sway of the Republicans. South of it, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, and even Queretaro, which is only 110 miles distant from the City of Mexico, are in undisputed possession of the Liberals. The French have wisely concluded not to leave the country in detachments, but at one time. The losses which they continually suffer even under this new arrangement, clearly show to what dangers they would have been exposed had they left one-third of the army behind for a whole year.

As to Maximilian, a glance at the small tract of land that is now held by his partizans, makes it very doubtful whether he will get away at all if he does not leave with the French. The movement of the Imperialist troops against Monterey stands no chance whatever of permanent success. The French themselves clearly indicate by their attitude, that they have no faith in the ability of Maximilian to maintain himself, and, as the official communication from the representative of France to the Mexican people, again indicates, are anxious to decline any responsibility for the defeat and overthrow of the Empire.

The star of the Republic is again rising, and there would be good reason for renewed hope if only the deplorable quarrel between Juarez and Ortega could be stopped. This ought now to be the great aim of all Mexican patriots. Sterling patriotism, we should think, might suggest to both the claimants of the Republic, means for settling their rival claims in an amicable manner, by leaving the decision to a new vote of the people. We wish with Ortega that the Mexican Republic may become as prosperous as the United States; but if this aim is to be attained, the leaders of the people must learn to show a greater amount of disinterested love of their country than hitherto.