As a Christian, there are few revolutions upon which I look favorably. Those who remain loyal are more likely to win my respect and I am 10x more likely to be sympathetic to the counter-revolutionaries than the revolutionaries. However, in the event that a revolution is undertaken, is appropriate or neccessary, one should always look to Agustin de Iturbide for the ideal of how to be a good, Christain revolutionary. Don Agustin Cosme Damian de Iturbide y Aramburu was the youngest son of an old Spanish aristocratic family. He was a career officer in the Spanish army and was sent to Mexico during the revolution to maintain Spain's control over the area. However, as Spain's principle commander he began to sympathize with the plight of of the Mexican rebels and decided that they needed and deserved their independence. He envisioned a nation based on 3 gurantees: union, liberty and religion. These were originally the meaning behind the national colors of red, white and green. There was though, nothing "revolutionary" about his idea of an independent Mexico. General Iturbide wanted Mexico to become an independent country but still under the reign of HM King Fernando VII of Spain or one of his children; basically a free nation still belonging to the world-wide Spanish Empire. If King Fernando or any of his children would accept the throne another Catholic royal would be recruited.
King Fernando, Spain's last absolute monarch, was opposed to any such seperation and when it was then suggested that Augustin de Iturbide rule Mexico he stoutly refused the offer and made it clear that he remained loyal to Fernando VII as his king. However, finding another prince willing to come to the chaotic nation proved even more difficult than winning the war for independence. Eventually General Iturbide's old regiment led a massive popular demonstration demanding that he accept the leadership of Mexico. Finally, the General agreed and on July 21, 1822 he was crowned Agustin I, Emperador de Mexico by the National Congress. The new Emperor was extremely popular with the public and the military hierarchy, however, political rivals continued to plot against him. The most dangerous of these was the cruel and ambitious governor of Veracruz, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the man who would later gain infamy for his massacres in Texas. When the Emperor did not support Santa Anna in a private feud with another officer Santa Anna broke his oath of loyalty and led a coup against Emperor Agustin I and declared Mexico a republic. The Emperor called Congress and offered to abdicate voluntarily if the nation wished it. The politicians, allies of Santa Anna, said it was necessary (without a plebiscite mind you) and so Agustin gave up his throne and went into exile in Europe.
In truth, the public had never lost faith in their Emperor and protested against his abdication. In the hands of the corrupt and power-hungry politicians Mexico fell prey to mismanagement and tyranny. Agustin became convinced that he had been deceived and that it was his duty under God to go back and save his country from disaster. Unfortunately, the government had spies in England and sent word to Mexico City when Agustin left Southampton. The President feared that the people would rise in rebellion when he arrived to restore their beloved monarch and he dispatched troops to the coast under General Filip Garza with orders to arrest and execute Agustin immediately without benefit of a trial. Emperor Agustin was murdered by a firing squad as soon as he landed. 10 Years later a more sympathetic administration gave him a state funeral. |
