The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-08


Resolved, That the republican organization be CON
tnued until It's great principles OF freedom and human
rights shairegn triumphant
Affairs I'm Mexico.
OUR MEXICAN CORRESPONDENTS.
MEXICO, Oct. II, 1856.
yisit 70 the CITY Of Msrfo-Inproraent Of the Cuy
he days cf Sdnta Anna-Progrsss Of the City-Pen
Picture Of Saatc Anna-Rspise Of Political Agairs-
Position Of President Comonfor-Hs Course ssita Re
gard TO The Army and Church, de-, dc.
have not heretofore fulfilled my promise to write TO
you. although materials were abundant II only my time
had been more at my disposal. Mexico is . beautiful
country; Mexico Is an interesting country and Mexico
delightful country to vist provided you acquainted
with the people and understand ,hsm This la not my first
visit 10 the balls OF the Montezumas do feel myself
to Dc 10 strange place while sojourning here There
FORE take deep interest in all tsnsplrng events and
try TO keep the run Of af,kirs
There has been graet change In this city since the
days Of Santa Anna There more business DONE more
money In circulation, houses erected and visible
growth OF the capital In that part Of called New Mexi
co, which lies between the immense pile Of buildings OF
the far famed convent and temples or the monastery a
San Francisco and the magnificent drive called the Paseo
Besides these evidences OF increasing prosperity there
others less striking such as the importation Of vast
quantities Of machinery and agricultural inventions
the United States, well q visible increase in the
custom house since the adoption OF the present
liberal tariff Things however, do not progress a.
rapidly here as in Jour country, and therefore many
imagine that there Is perfect stand STILL But such
not the fact
visible blight was upon the face OF the
republic in the days Of that selfish and super
dcal charlatan Santa Anna. He could be brought
into power by the combination Of . clique Of bro
kers, speculators aud military chiefs; and AFTER
six months the average OF his Administrations for
the truth u.s. he has talent for governing scarcely
more knowledge Of the science Of finance than Choc
taw Grow Foot Indian Hence whenever the specula
had used him. he fell, and remain cd In exile until
wanted again. Ii said he Is the only man who under
stands the kexcans, which, true would prove him 10
be stupidity incarnAte he has been able retain
any power them for than . few months at
time But in fact Santa Anna is only rash obstinate,
self wlled, vain creature who smash up matters
Little while and then end With smash up Of himself
General Alvarez became the successor OF Santa In
1856 but Alvarez neither desired the position Of Pres
dent, nor did the people of Mexico want him. He was
wholly unit for such post and therefore resigned
In favor Of General Ccmonor who ha been tho head
aud soul OF the revolution which had overturned Santa
Anna On the elevation Of Comoniort, there might be
ssd 10 be four parties In Mexico: the monarchsts
Santa Anna party the church party the conservatives
90 ComonfoSts procvities In the directioa
provided they could be nduged in with prudence and
political safety. He, however, differed with them on
many measures proposed, and may truth now be said
lot 10 belong 70 any faction while he has had to ngn
them all.
II revolution Of Haro Tamars In March last at Pue.
ba found Comonfort 10 opposition with all parties, al
though the puros sustained him against Haro and
contributed literally TO crush this common enemy When
the conscaiion Of the church property followed In the
tioes OF Puebla the purcs the peope who exood
osber hand amendments proposed in the new const
stioD by the were tbwarted BY the executive and
tho conservatives were supposed 70 doreh, unit In turn
Cemopfoyt supps essed the gc the organ of that party
In word, ocmonfort belongs party for no be-
iiev 70 party could role the country. He 10 Hbers
conservative, takes insult The most remark
able TACT however, Ia that all the pubc tf
sdu inistral.on have been cordially endorsed by the
rayos. But their complaint that he does not 20 far
enough
the most daring innovaiirr and progressive orhs acts
has been the direct attack upon the church properly Ia
the decree called the law Lerdo' IRON the minister
who issued H. This decree was evelled at oil landed
as h easy in The United states 70 be mIsed by words
wbeh here have different significance from wfN they
have with you, win explain: There are two ordersor
caie among the people In the parish churches depending
upon fees for their support, and for the most part mera
ne mon monks. riMs, % Sc.. beIoosins % % some corr =.
rorsiior or fraternity, living in monastcrcs, and
subssung on the rents derived from their sggrc.
bie vast wealth. which embraces the larger portion Of all
within the republic ID would be impossible so enume-
rate the names Of AL these orders and frafcrnitics few
such those Of San Augustin ssn Francisco and the
Carmeies, Benedictines and nfty at least. Tho
greater number q these monks and holy men are no,
priests Thcy therefore have but little intercourse with
,he people, vhe Tho secular clergy everywhere and
have much influence In all rural communities. AZ tho
monks rent out their property and never improve H.,
check established city enterprise wss thcrcforc
10 aivc an impulse 10 busncss and improvements that tho
"law Lerdo was published II diyests the clergy or ,be
feo Irnple Of ali lands ana leaves 10 then he present
rents ~ rent charge each property, while ves'ng
The renter with absolute ownership In the real
II may well be supposed that the clergy, owning threc.
oppose This mcasurc. ana /, was known ,bs, Z more
daring act could NOT be undertaken. n putting tho
power Of the government In direct conflict with the vast
wealth and infusnce OF the church. In . religious
snstca point OF view the prepondcrance IN favor OF
the government, for was popular among tho people.
and the secular priests, who hate the monks with most
uDcuous Christian dctcstafion have FOR the most part
advised their practitioners 70 take under the law The only
excsIaors are the cases where some few political priests
Now, this progressive neasure could not have been
pesceably carried out without the OF hc
people in her keeping. Nor would be advisable IN
oomosfQe 10 offend ths m when he much needs their
10 ioefsSa Of religion bsthnks that now is not tho
r,e 70 propSe H. and thus drive OF the prie~s, who
serpg him In bis reforms against tho church property
buf re'fious toernuon in Mexico mere abstraction;
Tor dd ever hear Of foreigner complaining Of any
VOCATION OF bis conscience through any inolsrant reli
The government also laid q violent hand upop that
curse Of this countr, tho tyrannica ing army. AZ
ore blow This Prgrtorian organization crushed into
suhecfon, much 10 the dbgust and discontinue OF the
Ieuy chen or generals who have Always heretofore
virtually sold their country 10 the highest csr This
swseprg than the attack upon the church. But in
mis- reform there was . countevpoise within tho very
heart OF the military system Of the republic In the Ma
onal Guard = citizen soldiers. Tho National Guard
occupy the ssuA position towards the standing army that
The secular priests do towards the monks and bear about
IS much love and sencvolerce towards each other.
Crushing the influence OF the regular army popular
with the Guard; nor the Guard ever bo formidable
In elecng revolutions On the contrary, they nvaln
sbe only In opposing them; for whenever
ton q attempted By asy portion Of the army, they
are IN the immediate vicinity oppose II before Is
gains much head. And they, living st home among
their families, are averse 70 marching n any distance for
any political purpose. Consequently the lnnumcrabs
petty dhiurbanos Of which you have frequent accounts
have been easily suppressed BY the National Guard.
You can now essily comprehend the quantity OF In.