Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-04-07
From the New York Sun.
MeSicO--EAcr Established Church.

NkcSicO--sacr Established Church.
1t will be remembered that we stated
last month that The church had threatened
10 excommunicate all who would favor the
colHiscation OF its property. We now an
mex the official protest, which quotes the
DEGREES Ct the Council of Trent, 10 prove
the heresy of the seizure. Granting that
the conliscation is violation of the con-
stitution, and ore for which the church
can excommunicate the government, the
question arises, Whit will be the conse-
quences? VIII the church excomlnuni-
cate the staff? Will it establish new
government? Will it force the nation TO
negotiate Tor peace? or will the govern
ment seize all the church property, leave
religious affairs 10 the management of tile
people, and tolerate all religions? We do
not pretend 10 be able 10 answer all these
eT..cstissrsor rl-..~e @l...elop-re
suits. But let us lock at facts. The church
and the aristocracy sided with Paroles,
and favored monarchy. These were
overhrown by the PueylCs, or native peo-
pie of Aztec parcn'aee, WHO compose the
bulk of the population. The Pue5las, or
democrats. Who now govern the country,
are exasperated against the church for her
efforts to place king over them. and con-
scquently the sale of the church lands is
no, very unpopular. 1t is supported Ly
the soldiers. because it is the readiest
means by which they can obtain funds
When The war commenced, the govern
ment appealed TO the church for money,
alleging that the Americans were coming
TO plumber the churches, and the sooner
property was disposed Of the better. But
the church would not give dollar. They
saw that the Americans pruteoted IFS prop
crty better than the Mexicans. 1t saw
that Gen. Taylor and the whole American
army paid the most profound respect To
its rights ard privileges, Hence the nat
nral consequence apparent throughout
Mexico: the clergy how declare their pref
ereuce for the government Of the United
States. Hence, too, the urgent necessity
for pacific negotiation on the part Of
government menaced by tha, dread SEN
tence Of excommunication and eternal des-
pair, Which strikes terror to the Heart of
The faithful Of fall religious denominations.
Even among political parties in cur own
free country. what is more dreadful and
destructive TO public man than excem-
munication from his party? AS examples
we refer to the persecution of John Tyler
and his excommunication by the wings,
the political arlaiiemas hurled at John G..
CALHOUN, AMI tie denurciaions which
Henry Clay encountered in his exc mmu-
nication from the democratic party. These
are indications Of what every public man
in Mexico must HOW encounter. But the
die is cast. The law has passed Congress,
and the church threatens the exercise OF
her spiritual power, for tie protection of
her temporal wealth. Nearly all the chur-
chcs have been closed. Religious excer-
cises and ordinances have been suspend
ed, eScep' to the sick and dying. Chill
drcn are not baptized, marriages are not
blessed, and masses are no longer cele>
brated for the repose Of the dead. This
is truly an alarming condition of lhinss
fer the plous people Of Mexico. Terror
and disinay have seized the public mind,
SdSio'' VI OCtU tilelG GuillccS
in the habliments Of woe, and evil fore
holdings are waited on every breeze. 70
this alarming state of affairs, we fad
parallel only in that appalling season Of
calamity nhich preceded tie conques, of
Mexico by Curies. Now, however, her
nationality can be preserved. Let her but
accept the olive branch which America
has ofInred t. her, and She yet may DO
Tree, prosperous and happy. Time and
again have We offered her the peace. When
sc demonstrated with her fer her ceni,l
TO Texas, Of those rights which she claim
cd for herself, her chellans yent 10 war,
bringing upon their oouutry the csils
which now threaten TO oveowhc'ri her,
i.-t MeSi1"pro,t y tiis =yp.riea2e.