312 REVOLTS CONTINUED MONTAYNO GUERRERO. 



names had been identified with the early struggles of the indepen- 

 dents against the Spaniards. 



These party discussions, mainly excited by the personal ambi- 

 tions of the disputants, which were carried on not only openly in 

 congress, but secretly in the lodges, absorbed for a long time, the 

 entire attention of the selfish but intelligent persons who should 

 have forgotten themselves in the holy purpose of consolidating the 

 free and republican principles of the constitution of 1824. The 

 result of this personal warfare was soon exhibited in the total neg- 

 lect of popular interests, so far as they were to be fostered or ad- 

 vanced by the action of congress. The states, however, were in 

 some degree, free from these internecine contests ; for the boldest 

 of the various leaders, and the most ambitious aspirants for power, 

 had left the provinces to settle their quarrels in the capital. This 

 was fortunate for the country, inasmuch as the states were in some 

 measure recompensed by their own care of the various domestic 

 industrial interests for the neglect they suffered at the hands of 

 national legislators. 



At the close of 1827, Colonel Jose Montayno, a member of the 

 Escocesses, proclaimed, in Otumba, the plan which in the history 

 of Mexican pronunciamientos, or revolts, is known by the name of 

 this leader. Another attempt of a similar character had been pre- 

 viously made, against the federative system and in favor of central- 

 ism, by Padre Arenas ; but both of these outbreaks were not con- 

 sidered dangerous, until Bravo denounced president Victoria for his 

 union with the Yorkinos, and, taking arms against the government, 

 joined the rebels in Tulancingo, where he declared himself in favor 

 of the central plan of Montayno. The country was aroused. The 

 insurgents appeared in great strength. The army exhibited de- 

 cided symptoms of favor towards the revolted party; and the church 

 strengthened the elements of discontent by its secret influence with 

 the people. Such was the revolutionary state of Mexico, when the 

 patriot Guerrero was once more summoned by the executive to use 

 his energetic efforts in quelling the insurrection. Nor was he un- 

 successful in his loyal endeavors to support the constitution. As 

 soon as he marched against the insurgents, they dispersed through- 

 out the country ; so that, without bloodshed, he was enabled to 

 crush the revolt and save the nation from the civil war. Thus, 

 amid the embittered quarrels of parties, who had actually designed 

 to transfer their contests from congress and lodges to the field of 

 battle, terminated the administration of Guadalupe Victoria, the 

 first president of Mexico. His successor, Gomez Pedraza, the 



