The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-01

all having cathedrals and chapters except the
prelate of Sonora-with lS5 prebendaries and
canonries 1900 parishes, and irregular and secu-
lar clergy amounting to 10000 persons was no
nconsiderable parsonage. OF the regular clergy
$500 reside in the capital, and the orders OF the
Dominicans Franciscans, Carmelites and Merce-
darans possess $50 converts. The salary of the
Archbishop is Sl3000e per annum, that of the
Bishop of Puebla was $4,000. The remaining
bishops receive altogether about $500, 900 more.
1t has been extremely difficult to ascertain the
real value of the general property of the church.
No administration has yet been able to get at the
truth. Some years since the following was admit
ted by the Archbishop to be the value -
Real estate in town and country SIS 900 900
Churches. houses, converts, furniture, jewels,
precious vessels.........--.t o-,VouuIp
Floating capital. 2o,ooooVo
Total. 800, 600 900
But it is fully believed this sum is not more
than one quarter of the true amount The Signor
Lendo de Tegada, who is now at the head of the
finances, asserts with perfect confidence that the
real property of the clergy is of the value of from
two hundred and fifty to three hundred mil
lions of dollars. In the city of Mexico containing
five thousand houses, worth eighty millions of
dollars, the church owns one-half, and the in
come has been estimated by the Minister at
twenty millions of dollars The estates in mort
main alone amount to fifty millions of dollars
Waddy Thompson, our former Minister at Mexico
was of the opinion that one-quarter Of the whole
country belonged to the priests. The quantity of
gold. silver and Jewels in the churches is great
enough 10 pay the whole foreign and domestic
debt. A single balustrade about three hundred
feet long in the cathedral Of the capital, is sup
posed to be worth million Of dollars.
Is il any wonder then, that the people Of
Mexico have been one Of the most wretched
among civilized nations? What would we think
had we a religious body among us owning one
quarter of the United States, with larger reve-
nue. than that of the government interfering in
every political movement, and exercising special
authority in all cases of deaths, marriages, wills,
education. crimes Of the clergy, and putting the
canon law before the civil on every possible oc-
casion Suppose. too, the power which claimed
all this authority was not only irresponsible tothe
government under which il existed, but should he
able to cut of, by interdict, any obnoxious indi-
vidual by church discipline from any intercourse
with his fellows. and that they could be made to
shun him. have no transactions with him, and avoid
him as they would aleper-what should we think
of a country where such things we're permitted:
Yet this has been, until now, the condition OF
Mexico; and the struggle is not yet over be-
tween Comonfort and the clergy. They will not
part with their ill-gotten wealth without a strug-
gle. When the patriotic Gomez Farias, in 1884,
during his brief Presidency, proposed the seizure
Of the church property. and the measure was
likely TO be adopted, he was very soon upset by
counter-revolution excited by the clergy.
Gen. Comonfort must take warning aud lose no
time In making his policy irrevocable. The
church property should be disposed Of In mode
rate parcels and at moderate prices. and as many
proprietary interests should be established as
possible. at once. In this way. the people from
fnotiyes Of interest If nothing else. would stand
b. The government in the struggle for entire
emancipation from church oppression. Let him
look q. Sardinia, which is going through the
same difficulties. The Church there has inter-
dictcd its religious Offices to all those who take
open part with the government This inter
ference With a superstitious race is one Of the
most dreadful Of evils. and the statesmen Of
Turin find themselves greatly embarrassed by
this powerful spiritual interpostion Of the clergy
In both cases however, the experiment Of
liberation. If persisted in will succeed The
mind. once emancipated. becomes endowed with
more than mortal strength in its opposition to
priestly tyranny.
Let those who seek models in moments so criti-
cal. read the history Of the brave Hollanders who
resisted for 50 many years, amid seas Of bloo1
the horrible tyranny Of the bigoted Philip of
Spain.
Among the plans which the government Of
Mexico entertains for beneftting the country. il
one for establishing four colonies Of emiuants
on the line Of road between Vera Cruz and Ja-
lspa. The decree Of 10th of May contains the
following articles
Article That there shall be established In the terri
tory the sides Of the road between Vera Cruz ia
apa four colonies those points where the soil s
FERTILE the climate healthy and excellent and which parts
ne governor q the department will designate with the
APPRECIATION q the supreme government.
Article The territory that shall be designated f,r the
iour colonies will be occupied for the public good and
the roprietors who hold will be ndemnined
| BY the law established.
Il 4LNsF' ~ rVr tNtfy Noony Were viii DE uestnef
Oco acres out Of which 900 will be reserved for the
pace where the future village city shall stand and
10000 will be given for cultivation.
Article 4 From every 900 that shall be reserved for
the houses Of the village Of the colony each colon sha
receive Tor bis place Of residence twenty meters front
and one hundred length, 20 build upon
Article 81 The ten thousand will aso be divided
between the colonsts 80 that every emgrant shall re
ceive for his one hund' Ell acres
Arcls For the first three years the emgraut shall
ray no duty Whatever, or contributions OF any kind
All emigrsnts viii be permitted introduce 10 Tho colony
tree Of duty, all kinds OF grain field and agricultural Ia
sruments and whatever they bring for their personal
or for that Of the place of their residence.
Offices are being established In New York
Philadelphia. Boston and Baltimore. for the
purpose Of assisting emigants to reach these
colonies -
Any person desiring 70 ergrate must apply 10 the
agent an he Immediately taken " the Mexican Con
srl WHO gives him certificate on or nted lettor ~