“Despotism is the proper government for them”

In 1824, a political gladhander, liar, narcissist, military general, self-proclaimed hero and dictator, made the following statement about the people of Mexico, “A hundred years to come my people will not be fit for liberty. They do not know what it is, unenlightened as they are, and under the influence of a Catholic clergy, a despotism is the proper government for them, but there is no reason why it should not be a wise and virtuous one.”