The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-03


hrmer, with more doing.
The News from Mexfco-Impost ant Political,
Religious and Financial Reforms.
Some of the details Of the last news from
Mexico are given in our columns Of this morn
ing.
The politics of Mexico are bee coming truly
interesting The innumerable battles in their
many civil wars excited no curiosity abroad,
and in fact were only Of the local Importance
given to common case Of assault and battery
in petty criminal court But for Once-or,
rather, properly speaking, at last-Mexico has
made an effort to abandon the military, and to
take step in advance in civil government.
The administration Of that country for the last
ten months will, of itself form an era in its an
n ls. Traditions, and prejudices, and institu-
tiops properly belonging to past ages, have
been shaken oil. The FORMS the usages and
the principles Of a monarchy have been repu-
dated, while desire to adopt the republican
opinions and political ideas prevailing in the
United States has become popular. Within
downfall of despot imbued with all
the ateful sentiments of mushroom en-
peror; we have witnessed the abolition
OF the system of espionage in the use
OF passports and letters of security; and we
have witnessed with equal pleasure the first
attempts to establish the freedom of the press
In the ports of the republic no less impor.
tant change has been effected. The CONNER
cisl regulations adopted by the Spaniards in
centuries past, cut of jealousy and suspicion
Vi strangers, have all been swept away. The
vexatioDs and delays incident to landing OR
leaving harbor where no rights could be
said to exist, and where every accommodation
was accorded as an especial favor. or in con-
sideration of bride, have been abolished. Fo.
reigners now enter Mexico with the same ease
al d freedom that they would enter an Ameri
can city. The extortionate and exorbitaut
duties--the selfish prohibitions-the plumber
ing monopolies. have passed away, until new
order Of things in tariff regulations has sprung
up, which will compare favorabiy with our
own most liberal system respecting imports.
These reforms indicate no ordinary pro-
gress, and would alone characterize an admi
nistI alton as one of great energy, foresight
and talent. But these do not constitute more
than small portion of the alterations made
in the policy of the country. The military
strength and privileges of the standing army
have been attacked, until that institution has
succumbed to the civil power. The church,
also dominant through its wealth and almost
irresistible through iss hold upon the religious
ats apd sentiments Of the people, has been
assailed with the came Vigor. Should the
government come off vict., rio1s in this last and
most formidable contest, we wco!o nave 70
congratulate that nation with having Crasned
both the military and religious elements whica
heretofore have prevented Mexico from as
suming her proper position among civilized
communities. That contest, however, has not
ended; indeed, it may be said only to have be
gun. The amount involved in the issue IN
material wealth in millions of dollars is
probably much larger than ever hereto
fore has excited human passion and Gu
pidity; the principles at stake, moreover,
are the same which in all ages have
aroused the strongest emotions and fercest
strife in the breast of man. Shall the spiritual
or temporal power prevail? That is the ques
ton; and while the church humbly declares
that it's kingdom is not of this world, it very
alrogantly assumes to possess attributes which
in other nations are wisely bestowed only w
on civil magistrates. 1t forms in itself, with
in the republic, distinct sovereignty, com.
p act, solid and rich, and in all these respects
presenting wide contrast to the civil govern
ment Both cannot exist without detriment
to the State, and without destroying all uni
fcrmity so essential to political administration.
The pretensions of the clergy are fully set
forth in the letter Of the Biahop of Pdebla,
cause is no less fully exposed in the private
letters Of our correspondents 1t seems to us
while reading these epistles that we are car:
ried back to the controversies agitated in the
times of the Cfusades, when by the feeble glim-
mer of rush. light in some gloomy cloister, such
topics were studied in black letter manuscripts
1t is almost impossible to believe that such a
question could arise in the nineteenth century,
amid electrical telegraphs and steam pr esses,
to be read by the glare of gas light Such,
however, is the fact and such is one of the
many anomalies which the times produce.
Iii not to crafty the curiosity only of readers
that we publish and call attention to the affairs
Of the Mexican republic. The issues there raised
are of much interest to the business commuui
ty Heretofore Mexico has been almost closed
to American sentiments, principles and CON-
merce. Hereafter the eight millions of Mexi-
can people may become our best customers.
1t is not because Mexico is poor that it has
been neglected, but because it's riches have
not been developed; it lie not because it is
wanting in resources, but because they have
not been properly directed. Should sjud
cious reciprocal treaty be made with the
United States, how important would all kinds
Of inf % 4ha4 10