A Few Reflections on the Conquest of Mexico by Cortez [pp. 635-637]

menocannot be justified by that standard-and to the exemplification to mankind of moral and po urge in their defence that they bore with them litical degradation for the last three centuries.
the word of Life is but to endeavor by the dra- Living as we do in the highest period of man's
pery of religion and virtue to cover those deeds civilization, with all the lights of the past around
of darkness and cruelty, at which the cheek of us, to direct us in our search for truth, we can
shame itself would blush. learn a grand and impressive lesson, from the
The result of the conquest has been set forth result of the two great events that have occurred
in defence of the motives which prompted it- upon the Western Continent-the Conquest of
and in order calmly to consider the effect of this Mexico by Cortez, and the Landing of the Pil reasoning we would briefly direct attention to the grim Fathers-the one accomplished through the
situation of Mexico before and after its subjuga- auri sacrafames-the other effected in the fear
tion. of the Almighty, for the erection of a "faith's
Losing their origin in the antiquity of past pure shrine"-the one an illustration of the ef ages, the Mexican people had risen in power fects of an indulgence of the viler passions of
and their empire had become the pride and glory man's nature —the other leading to the establish of the western world. With a system of juris- ment of a powerful empire, the nursery of wise,
prudence remarkable for its equity, and firm and and great, and gifted men.
decided in its execution. order and harmony were In regard to Mexico, the heart of the philan the characteristics of its government. The more thropist is grieved to discover that no bow of
refined acquirements of Music, Poetry and Paint- promise has as yet appeared to gild the dark
ing were cultivated to a great extent, but our cloud of her national degradation or point him to
minds are more deeply impressed with the solemn her moral and political advancement. As he wan grandeur and lofty conceptions of the Mexican ders amidst her vast solitudes and majestic moun Mythology. They reared to theirDivinities grand tains, he discovers the monumental vestiges of
and magnificent temples, which still remain as a great people-they have been destroyed-but
monuments of their architectural greatness, and casting his eyes over the scene presented to his
living criticisms of the pigmy efforts of those by view, he reads the solemn result of national tur whom theyweresucceeded. Thebarbaricsplen- pitude and injustice-in a feeble and impotent
dor, the dark and mysterious rites, the supersti- government exercising its petty tyranny over
tious reverence of their worship, fill us with awe those lands which were once ruled by the puis and amazement. They had reached their gol- sant and accomplished Montezuma-and feels
den age, they had arrived at the climax of their his heart filled with sorrow at the destruction of
greatness. Fearful was the responsibility of a mysterious and fearful race, as he stands amid
those who removed from the nations of the the records of the past, where
earth a people so numerous, the monuments of
whose genius, like those of the ancient Egyp- Some mouldering shrine still consecrates the scene
And tells that Glory's footsteps there have been —
tians, still stand a problem and study for the in- And tells that Glory's footsteps there have een of the man of and the devo- There hath the spirit of the mighty passed
vestigation of the man of science and the devo-
teesoflitergatureoButh scopis t Not without record, though the desert blast
tee of literature. But the accomplishment of Borne on the wings of Time hath swept away,
their destiny was at hand. Those men came, The proud creations reared to brave decay.
who seemed to have borrowed the thunder of H.
heaven and the lightning of the clouds, in order
to effect the accomplishment of the dark prophecy which had been handed down from earliest antiquity, that "a race of men from the
East should come and possess their country."
We read of revolutions and civil wars upon the A SONNET OF MOXON.
page of history, and trace the exaltation of man The cygnet crested on the purple water;
and a higher advance in civilization to the con- The fawn at play beside its graceful dam;
flict of these elements-but here whole nations On cowslip bank, in spring, the artless lamb;
have been destroyed, and where is the grand The Hawthorn robed in white, May's fragrant daughter;
, >. l * 1 1. * | > ~~~~The willowv weeping o'er the silent stream;result? where are the mighty blessings to be of- T..
The rich laburnum with its golden show;
fered as a recompense for the effusion of so much The fairy vision of a poet's dream;
blood? On summer eve earth's many-colour'd bow;
Opening the record, we read the result, as Diana at her bath; Aurora bright;
though by divine infliction, in the loss of power, The doe that sits and singeth o'er her woes;
of greatness, and position of the Spanish nation- The star of eve; the lily, child of light;
Fair Venus' self, as from the sea she rose!
we read it in their subjugated country-that land Imagine these, and I in truth will prove
of revolution and chaos-the hot bed of faction- They are not half so fair as she I love.
A few Reflections on the Conquest of Mexico by Cortez.
637
1849.]