REVOLUTIONS. 15 



in all the republics from Chili to Mexico, is 

 brought about by such a mere fraction of the 

 population, that it seems a wonder to an 

 Englishman that the great majority do not 

 arise and speak out. " We wish to be quiet ; 

 we do not want revolution and murders, nor 

 do we wish to see our streets running with 

 blood; we do not wish to be subjected to 

 forced contributions of money, cattle, and 

 personal service ; and above all, we are nine 

 out of ten in number against your one ; and 

 the great majority will not consent to be 

 plundered by the small minority, who are 

 only dissolute ruffians." 



This they might in truth say ; but they 

 do not say it ; nor do they act upon it ; and 

 the consequence is that they are plundered, 

 robbed, and murdered in the most shameful 

 manner by the small minority of rascals ; 

 but they half deserve it, for if the nine or 

 the ninety and nine would make the protest, 

 they would have a very small per centage who 

 would back their protest by an appeal to arms, 

 even in defence of their homes and famihes. 



In Central America every State has a 

 small number of soldiers, ill paid, worse fed 

 and clothed, and of the lowest order of 

 scoundrels ; the officers being hardly a- shade 



