34S MEXICO. 
Nations, habituated to be ruled for centuries, cannot rule themselves in 
a minute. People must learn to think for themselves, and, in order to do 
so, must be instructed. Agriculture must be cherished, and farmers made 
to elevate themselves in society ; — to become rich by their toil, and culti- 
vated by study. The mechanical class must become ambitious of being 
something more than the mere servant of the capitalist's wants ; — in fine, 
all classes must shake off that lethargy, which, arising either from old 
habits, or an enervating climate, makes them the servants of the passing 
hour, and content with bare existence. 
As the agriculture of the country is chiefly in the hands of rich pro- 
prietors and of the church, that branch of independence has no general 
influence. The mass of the mechanical class is exceedingly poor, and 
indescribably ignorant ; and large portions of other classes are avaricious, 
gambling and bigoted, while over all extends that spiritual power, which 
still exercises an influence little inferior to the army. 
Such a population, — ignorant, poor and servile, — cares but little for 
politics; and it is a mercy to rule them wisely and justly. If wages 
are good, and crops plentiful, the farmer and mechanic are contented, 
provided the taxes are not high. In a soil which yields so readily and 
abundantly, and a temperature so genied, men are naturally indolent. It 
is easier, thus provided with the necessaries of life, to be governed than 
to govern, — especially, if they do not feel the pressure of the crown, or 
the blows of the sceptre. They are, therefore, docile, quiet, and ready 
to pass from one chief to another without inquiry. In addition to this, it 
should always be remembered, that Mexico is of all civilized countries 
perhaps the least accessible, both from abroad and in its interior; — its 
coasts ravaged by dangerous fevers ; its territory piled up on an isthmus 
between two great Continents on the north and south, and two great oceans on 
the east and west. It may be literally called a nation hanging on the sides 
of a mountain ; the Atlantic thundering at its base on the one side, and 
the Pacific on the other ; without steamers, railways, or means for the 
easy transmission of papers — by which not only the news of the day and 
of the whole world may be transmitted to every cabin of its forests ; 
but by which the people themselves may travel, easily and cheaply, and 
thus become knit together by friendship, kindred, and kindly intercourse. 
It is an aflTair of as much importance to make a journey of a hundred 
miles,* as it was with us during the Revolution ; for not only are they 
obliged to travel in slow coaches, over bad roads on mules and horses, 
but they must be accompanied by a horde of servants and sumpter ani- 
mals, a mountain of bedding, baggage and cooking utensils, and, besides, 
be guarded for fear of the robbers ! Thus, while there is no extensive in- 
tercommunication, there is less perhaps from abroad ; and, of course, the 
opinions of Europe and America can have but little influence on a nation 
Last year only eleven hundred and nine peisons arrived as passengers at Vera Cruz, and four hundred and 
fifty-nine left that port, so that the average gain of population by emigration, was only six hundred and fourteen 
through that city. 
