A Bird's-Eye View of Mexico's Troubles

A Bird's-Eye View of Mexico's Troubles BY C. E. MCLELLAN, SENIOR CLASS, B. Y. U. In the year 1521 a daring Spanish adventurer, Hernando Cortez, conquered the great Aztec empire of central Mexico. The inhabitants of this newly discovered American empire numbered, then as now, about thirteen millions of peoples, made up of many tribes, but for the most part rendering unwilling tribute to the powerful and blood-thirsty Aztec rulers, who exacted heavy toll, not only of treasure, but also of life in the way of warriors for conquest and victims for the sacrificial stone, the latter amounting, it is said, to as many as eighty thousand persons in a single year. Through the instrumentality of Cortez and his followers, this galling Aztec yoke was lifted from the necks of the suffering natives who, however, gained little or nothing thereby, for quickly and firmly was fastened upon them the burden of Spanish greed and oppression, than which nothing could be worse. Then followed for the natives of Mexico three hundred years of monotonous servitude, during which time children were born, grew to maturity, and died of premature old age, without so much as ever dreaming that "all men are born free and equal." Their lives were spent under exacting and brutal task-masters, with toil, poverty, sickness, and abuse, their only portions, till hope of anything- 'better died within their breasts. And not only hope for themselves, but hope for their offspring, for a stern fate had decreed that HERNANDO CORTEZ, CONOUEROR OF .MEXICO "He left a character eminent for bravery and ability, but infamous for perfidy and cruelty." *Paper read before the Associated Collegians of the Brigham Young University, Maeser Memorial Building, Dec. 9, 1913.

A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF MEXICO'S TROUBLES 441 little or no improvement should come to Montezuma's descendants till ten generations had passed away. This is no idle tale of fiction. This is history, a part of the history of millions of men, women, and children, living upon this land, long before dedicated by the prophets of God as a land of liberty, and today holding aloft the banner of freedom as an example to the world. This is a part of the history of a people at this moment in the throes of civil strife, from the tumult of which shall arise a liberty and freedom for the sons of Mexico which they have enjoyed briefly in the name but never in reality. But to return to the story. Spaniards and the few natives who had acquired social standing with them, and hence immunity from oppression, made slaves, peons, of the millions of poor, and the fabulous wealth of Mexico's silver mines, obtained by the sweat and blood of her down-trodden sons, was shipped away to replenish the coffers of decadent Spain. But so vital is the germ of human liberty that three hundred years of grinding, crushing oppression could not kill nor destroy it, even among these degraded Indians ; and in 1810 this mass of ignorant, suffering humanity arose in the name of sacred freedom, under the banner of the patriot Hidalgo, and after eleven years of bitter struggle threw off the hateful Spanish yoke. But it was only the civil power that was overthrown. That more subtle, more evasive enemy, the power of the mother church, operating through the Spanish priests, remained. And this power, controlling at that time two-thirds of all the wealth of Mexico, did not relax its grasp, but only gripped its ill-gotten hoard the firmer, in the hope that by this means the Cross might yet restore the crown, that in turn it might continue its mighty sway under favor of civil power. The machinations of church leaders, and the designs of ambitious political aspirants, operating among a people ignorant of law and unstable of character, kept the country in perpetual civil strife for almost half a century longer, during which time the so-called republic changed rulers on an average once a year, and each new ruler had his own particular views of government policy which he sought to impose upon the nation. Progress in any direction, under the conditions, was not likely to be rapid. And, besides the long list of national calamities that had pursued the country, another was added about this time when unhappy and unfortunate Mexico was drawn into strife with her powerful neighbors, the people of the United States, with disastrous territorial results to the former. But the darkest hour is just before the dawn, and a bright morning star arose in the person of Benito Juarez who, with superior wisdom, gave to his country a constitution under which she might hope to'rise to an honored place among the nations of the -vorld. Both his sagacity and his courage were employed to

442 IMPROVEMENT ERA break the power of the Catholic church which he did by confiscating, through legal process, much of the church's property, and by making it unlawful for religious parties, or powers, to take part in any of the affairs of state. Yet even while engaged in these important labors for his country's welfare, he was compelled to struggle against armed rebellion among his own people, and against ambitious foreigners headed by the would-be- Emperor, Maximilian. Death claimed the valient Juarez while Porfirio Diaz was still in arms against him, and thus Mexico's man of destiny was placed upon the throne. I say throne, for while the country is nominally a republic, few monarchs of modern times have ruled with the despotic hand with which Don Porfirio guided the state. So weary were the people with long years of warfare and turmoil that for the most part they were glad to find a man who could control them, even though he controlled with an iron hand. Notwithstanding his severity, which was perhaps necessary at first, Diaz governed with a statesman's skill in the main, and gave to his country a quarter of a century of comparative peace and prosperity, at least such a measure as she had never known before. For the admiration we have for this grand old man of Mexico, we wish it were not necessary for us to make any indictments against his administration, but justice to our theme compels us. We have said that the ignorance and the lawlessness of the people when Diaz began to rule demanded a one-man power. Diaz was the man, and he understood the situation. But for some reason he seemed not to note the progress made by his people in the thirty years of his administration, and he failed to make provisions for this growth. Had he looked more to the education of his people, especially in the direction of civics, had he granted them, by little, powers of government, and trained them to govern and to be governed, there would have been, in my opinion, no revolution in Mexico today, and Don Porfirio Diaz would have died at home, the idol of his countrymen and the admiration of good men everywhere. But he neglected this sacred duty, and today he i - an exile, while his country is being torn with bloody civil strife. Greed for gold and lust for power, twin destroyers of nations, found conditions in Mexico exactly suited to their wishes. The church party, though not daring to maneuver in the open, was still secretly a powerful force. A portion of the Spanish element, though not openly avowing their sentiments, were yet proud of their descent, and felt themselves entitled to prey upon the masses where possible. Diaz evidently courted the favor of these influences for his own aggrandizement. Under him was aristocracy of wealth and blood throuhgout the country, whose secret but certain purpose was the exploitation of their country

A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF MEXICO'S TROUBLES 443 and their countrymen, and in this they have been eminently successful. They have controlled the army, the chief factor in Mexican politics, they have directed legislation, and have intimidated and bribed the courts, and have exercised for years a tyranny differing in form but quite as absolute and offensive as that which their ancestors suffered under. Although a republic in name, Mexico has been an aristocracy in fact. Elections have been farces, platforms and principles have been unknown to those who should have been voters. It is no exaggeration to say that a large proportion of the voting population never so much as knew when election day came round, much less did they feel they had any voice in the welfare of their country. Men owning millions of acres of land and millions of dollars' worth of other property use this vast wealth to oppress the poor, and by a system of peonage keep the toilers subservient to their pleasures to a degree intolerable to the American mind. At the same time these aristocrats bear no proportionate share of the burden of taxation. Judges on the bench fearlessly allowed their names on the pay rolls of rich corporations and individuals as a guarantee of friendship when litigation should arise in which the company were involved. And all this and much more under the Diaz regime, the best Mexico has known. Why do not the people rectify such abuses? Madero tried it at the polls, and they cast him into prison. He resorted to arms and was temporarily successful, but his democratic ideals were too lofty to suit the old Cientifico spirit, his sincerity in demanding reforms was too genuine, and they butchered him. Suppose Carranza, or some other man, succeeds in overthrowing Huerta, — the apt tool and beneficiary of the Catholic church and the Cientifico party — suppose, I say, some other man succeeds to the presidency of Mexico, as some man will, wnac then? By what means can any president in Mexico overcome the influence of the money power that is so potent with legislators and judges, both national and state? The long training in these matters that the people have been subjected to, their peculiar temperament, and the very marked social class distinctions, make the questions of bribery and graft extremely difficult problems in that land. And again, how shall the ruler of these people induce the legislators who have been elected by the favor of the rich to legislate against that class and compel them to break up their vast estates and share them with the lower class on terms that the latter can possibly meet? And how shall he control this ignorant, impulsive, lower class so that they will abide the slow process of legislation which will be necessary under the most favorable turn? These people have grown used to revolution, and have now felt a little of the power that a 30-30 rifle gives them, so that they will not be patiently disposed.

444 IMPROVEMENT ERA Can Mexico solve these and other troublesome problems that confront her? In time, perhaps. I hope she can. Can the United States resist the pressure that is being exerted by material, social, and moral interests, and patiently bide the working out of the situation in that land of manana? Perhaps. I hope she can. But it is not a question of this man or that man in Mexico. It is a question of principles, of human rights; and you and I, under the same circumstances, would take up arms. Our fathers did for even less provocation in the days of Bunker Hill, and we honor them for it. Neither is it a question between the Spaniards and the natives, for while it is true that Creoles, descendants of Spaniards, figure largely in the aristocratic class, yet there are many mestizos, mixed blood, and even some native Indians, who are ranged on this side, as there are also many of Spanish blood who have stood with the masses. Hidalgo, who first raised the cry for independence and who gave his life for the cause, was a Spaniard ; Juarez (the law giver of Mexico and champion against the church ) was an Indian ; Madero, who sacrificed his life for his democratic ideals, was of Spanish descent, and Huerta, who needs no description here, is an Indian. To meet their trying situation the Mexicans have the following equipment: They have a country rich in natural resources, but at present carrying a very heavy financial burden ; they have a strong national pride and a patriotism of the explosive type, but their national spirit is not yet crystalized ; their constitution is excellent, being patterned after that of the United States, but they are not trained to abide by its provisions. The wealth and land are in the hands of the few, but the democratic spirit has at last awakened. Their standards of morals are low, but the people are less vicious naturally than is generally supposed. Physically they are rather small but strong, and have great powers of endurance. In character they are hospitable, clever, impulsive, indolent, jealous, and vengeful. That a more democratic government must be established in Mexico is imperative, but are the Mexicans able to establish such a government if left to themselves ? Have they the national spirit, the stability, the wisdom, and the power to overcome the mighty internal and external forces that are working for their disintegration? In their own words, I answer, "Solo Dios sabc." I'ROVO, UTAH