251
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR
became very great and was carried to such an extreme that he cruelly persecuted the persons to whom he had formerly been a most intimate friend. In fact, it appears that he had made them the special object of his hatred and vengeance. Witile he was dominated by this spirit one of Santa Anna's first acts was to order the arrest of his friend Barragan who, abandoned by his followers and pursued by his enemy, still roved about in the woods close to Mango d'e Clava. On capturing Barragan and Manuel Santa Anna he delivered them to the national tribunal. Fortunately for them, although no thanks were due Far- fulla, the party's fury had abated and Barragan's punishment, like that of Bravo, was temporary exile. We do not know Manuel Santa Anna's punishment. As it then became necessary to elect another Governor in place of Barragan, Santa Anna desired the election to devolve upon Guerrero. In this he had a profoundly egotistical motive, for, as he was unabltl to obtain the position for himself, he wanted .it to be given to some- one who would not be able to hold it. He well knew that though Guerrero should be appointed that leader would not be able to leave his business in the Capital to take charge of the government in J alapa and consequently he, Santa Anna, would continue as the political leader of the State. His plans worked out according to his desires. By great perseverance Guerrero was elected despite the fact that the large majority of the Legislature were Escoceses and his enemies, and as it was known beforehand, this leader refused to leave the Capital. By this means Santa Anna succeeded in maintaining himself at the head of affairs in the State of Veracruz. The nation was compelled to fix its attention upon the election of Victoria's successor. 'l'he election of the President and Vice-Presi- dent of the Republic was to take place on the 1st of September, 1828. For a long time Guerrero had been the idol of the people, but as Pedraza had acquired great reputation by destroying the conspiracies of Padre Arenas and Tulancingo, he became his rival in popularity and his opponent in the presidential election. In due time these two men were announced as candidates for that high offi:Ce, Pedraza, being supported by the Aristocracy and the R9yalists, and G1:1errero, leader of the Yorkinos, by the democratic element in the country. Santa Anna was in favor of Guerrero and spared no strength to promote his elec- tion, animated as he was, not so much by loyalty to his friend as by his mortal hatred for Pedraza in whom he had always had a most bitter and implacable enemy. Santa Anna, having had enough influ- ence to direct the action of the legislature in the appointment of Guer- rero as Governor, flattered himself upon being able to do the same thing in the present case and to assure the vote of that body in favor of the said Guerrero for President and Esteva for Vice President. To this end he not only worked in secret with the Yorkinos, but also ex- tended his relations with the Escoceses, by flattering some and threat- ening others. His hopes were favorable. The Escoceses were in dis- repute and appeared humiliated, while the Yorkinos had increased their lodges and then formed a majority of the councill?. Santa Anna, therefore; did not encounter any difficulty in obtaining emphatic docu- ments from these authorities requesting the Legislature to give its
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