t. Nor could I exhibit the
least reverence to their religious emblems without committing
what in me would be an act of idolatry, the two systems being so
diametrically opposite that one can not go a step toward the
other without breaking over a fundamental doctrine of his own
belief. God is an invisible Spirit, says the Protestant. God is a
Spirit, answers the Catholic, but he daily assumes the form of a
wafer, and traverses our streets, and in that form we most
commonly worship him. Such is the religious antagonism that will
ever be found in the world while man remains what he now is, ever
divided between mentalism and materialism. Forms and names often
differ, but these are the two ideas into which all the religious
systems of the world resolve themselves, although abortive
attempts are often made to combine them.

[78] Vol. ii. p. 452.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Sonora and Sonora Land Speculators seeking Annexation.--Sonora and its
Attractions.--The Abundance and Purity of Silver in Sonora.--Silver
found in large Masses.--The Jesus Maria, Refugio, and Eulalia Mines.--A
Creation of Silver at Arizpa.--The Pacific Railroad.--Sonora now
valueless for want of personal Security.--The Hopes of replenishing
the Spanish Finances from Sonora blasted by War.--Report of the
Mineria.--Sonora.--Chihuahua.

LAND TITLES.

It has been said in another chapter that the Apaches had extended their
depredations beyond the first tier of States, and had entered Durango,
Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, and even Guanajuato, making this second
tier of states their stamping ground, while Sonora, Chihuahua,
Coahuila, over which they now rode without opposition to a country more
abundant in plunder, are left as political waifs to any who may choose
to take possession of them. As in all abandoned countries, there are
inhabitants here incapable of getting away, and too poor even for the
Indians to notice; and there are a few miserable villages still
existing, with a fragment of their former population. All the
inhabitants of these wretched hamlets have their eyes fixed on the
United States as the only hope of relief from their Indian plunderers.
The proprietors of estates, extending over vast districts, too cowardly
to defend their claims, which exceed in extent European principalities,
are sitting quietly down at a respectful distance, anxiously looking
forward to