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considerably in republican ideas, and there "'.as a general desire for the establishment of a federal republic like that of the United States. Despite the fact that there existed a powerful party composed of the aristocracy, the clergy and the army, who preferred a central despot- ism, although they had no affection whatever for Iturbide's dynasty, the popular will took another turn, Santa Anna, though a Royalist in principles, allowed himself to be swayed by events and declared in favor of a Republic. He immediately sent a letter to the Emperor stating that despite the fondness which he had shown for him in former days and the active part which he had taken in his coronation, he was now compelled to throw down the gauntlet to him, because the happi- ness and welfare of the country demanded it. He appeared to believe that adherence to principles should be preferred to adherence to men. It is necessary to have all of the coolness and audacity with which Santa Anna was endowed to invoke the holy name of the fatherland, religion and principles in that manner. 'l'he reader will remember that a few months previous he boasted of having contri,buted to Itur- bide's usurpation, called himself one of the strongest columns of the Empire, and now he suddenly destroys his altars, accuses his idol and again dons the dissembler's cap. Yesterd~ a submissive slave and today a savage republican! And this is what he considers adherence to principles with preference to men. Santa Anna's revolt would have had the same fate as his friend Garza's, if its result had depended upon his character and influence. It was far from showing signs of life, and was received with disappro- bation until the sudden reappearance of the punctilious leader General Victoria. The friends of the revolution, seeing that it was waning for lack of an efficient commander, ordered a search to be made for that venerated patriot, who had remained hidden in the mountains where· he had taken refuge after the misfortunes of the country and the per- secutions which Iturbide had caused him to suffer in the Capital. He was found alone in his desert, but he quickly responded to the call of his country, left his hiding place, appeared in Veracruz at a moment when his presence was indispensable to the cause, and was greeted with general enthusiasm. His exalted character and eminent services popularized the movement, and by unanimous acclamation he was placed at its head. In the beginning Santa Anna decided to place the noble veteran in a subordinate position and to retain the principal command, but the people indignantly repulsed his arrogance and bold- ness, and in a short time a great many had joined the standard of the nation's idol. When Victoria first joined the enterprise Santa Anna ordered him to occupy the King's bridge which he did with two hundred men, maintaining himself there with his accustomed firmness while Santa Anna remained in Veracruz at the head of the principal command. This state of affairs was the thing which angered the people, as we have previously stated. That was the time to smother the revolution, for the imperial forces were near and were five times as great as those of the republican forces, but such was the inexplicable delay of the movements of Echavarri to whom had been entrusted the operations
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