MEXICO 
1^9 
fusion of empires, republics, dictatorships and 
military usurpations have succeeded each 
other with bewildering rapidity. Between 
1821 and 1868 the form of government was 
changed ten times, over fifty persons succeed 
ing each other as presidents, dictators or em 
perors. And the end is not yet in sight. The 
curse of anarchy and military dictatorship 
hangs over the land like a pall. Murder, as 
sassination, execution, rapine, the wanton de 
struction of property and the complete 
paralysis of the commerce of the nation make 
us ask how long can this continue? It is safe 
to assume that when some man is found strong 
enough to take up the frayed fragments of this 
people, and bring order out of chaos, a re 
publican form of government will again be 
established. 
Its constitution, based after ours, calls for a 
federal form of government, the various states 
being free to regulate their internal affairs; 
the executive power is vested in a President 
and Vice-President elected for six years each, 
with a legislative body of two branches,