the United States, the promulgation of a constitution followed on
October 4, 1824, and Guadalupe Victoria, one of the leaders in
the revolt against Iturbide, was chosen President of the United
Mexican States. Though considerable unrest prevailed toward the
close of his term, the new President managed to retain his office
for the allotted four years. In most respects, however, the new
order of things opened auspiciously. In November, 1825, the
surrender of the fortress of San Juan de Ulua, in the harbor of
Vera Cruz, banished the last remnant of Spanish power, and two
years later the suppression of plots for the restoration of
Ferdinand VII, coupled with the expulsion of a large number of
Spaniards, helped to restore calm. There were those even who
dared to hope that the federal system would operate as smoothly
in Mexico as it had done in the United States.

But the political organization of a country so different from its
northern neighbor in population, traditions, and practices, could
not rest merely on a basis of imitation, even more or less
modified. The artificiality of the fabric became apparent enough
as soon as ambitious individuals and groups of malcontents
concerted measures to mold it into a likeness of reality. Two
main political factions soon appeared. For the form they assumed
British and American influences were responsible. Adopting a kind
of Masonic organization, the Conservatives and Centralists called
themselves Escoceses (Scottish-Rite Men), whereas the Radicals
and Federalists took the name of Yorkinos (York-Rite Men).
Whatever their respective slogans and professions of political
faith, they were little more than personal followers of rival
generals or politicians who yearned to occupy the presidential
chair.