The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-23

MExICc - Bee.
TN Mea2S now n the very G o. Ser ssS
the eeci sasticai, andtr Gas thrown the glove 10
cept the gauntlet. q latter VIII l believe, ac-
the State the rc hch Oh .ne 1--WE otb VII
influence 20 problem would be easy, but here the
will be IT the clergy is SO vast that the struggle
Fearful, and the issue is dubious.
w are aware OF the relative situation OF church
snc State in Mexico. You know that the public
treasury is exhausted and that the revenues of the
clergy are enormous. The advantage, therefore, is
on Inc side of the latter; but civil government and
regulated freedom will become impracticable unless
he equilibrium be restored. statesman, still young
bat remarkable for his statistical researches vast in
telligence, and freedom from prejudice-Mr. Lerdo
de Tejada, formerly chief deputy in he Department
OF Fomento, and now Minister OF Finance-has tho
roughly appreciated the critical position OF affairs,
and has not shrunk from the labor and responsible
yof reform. The plan ppposed by him to accom-
lish the end in view Is master stroke OF ability
He did not attemptto conscate he ecclesiastical pro-
erty, for this would have been impossible, and would
ave created formidable opposition and involved q
isgraceful failure. Mr.. Lerdo did far better. He
as compelled the clergy to sell all their real estate
ermitting them to retain the amounts accruing
rom such sales. The tenants, who were partisans
the clergy because they rented comfortable dwell
ngs cheap, are converted by this policy into ficnde
the government, which enables them to become
owners on the easiest terms Not only the tenants,
W all classes OF society will profit by this new law.
Inc government has, therefore, interested all save
the clergy in its behalf. Religious scruple is the
only element that can be invoked against its action
cannot yet say to what extent this element will
prove operative. The foreigners in the country are
supremely Indifferent, and cannot be affected by IL
The law, and the discussions to which it has given
rise, will be found in your files of papers, You will
likewise remark the letter addressed by the Arch
bishop Of Mexico demonstrating against the law
The government will reply with declarations OF its
firm resolve to enforce the law by all possible means
The Archbishop it is said, will in this event. issue
formal protest of ecclesiastical censre who
seek to execute the law in which the government
will treat the Archbishop and his instruments as
Puebla, Lebastida The Papal Nuncio here has al.
ready protested. His dismissal from the republic Is
spoken Of. The clergy are making prodigious ef-
forts to prevent the enforcement OF the wise policy
of the administration. They hope to terrify the
Mexicans by the rower OF an ecclesiastical censure
al to influence foreigners through their respe
diplomatic representatives. 1t IL reportc.d thai
few Of the latter take sides with the cspy think
nevertheless, that II the goveranent proceeds in the
same calm, consistent and energetic spirit the
enorts OF tne c.efgy will prove abortive. In short
ze the country within three months or the govern
Tent will prevail.
Disorders OF grave character have broken out al
Guadalajara-the State of Jalisco has declared her
self independent of the confederation. This DANCED
has long been latent. Guadalajara has long sought
10 be selected the capital OF new confederacyl
embracing all the Pacific coast and q few Of thdI
formed in regard to these troubles. shall, howl
ever refer to them particularly in my next letter.
Yesterday, the 4th of July, Congress began thd
discussion of the new constitution. May the day
so glorious in the annals Of the United States, provo
auspicious Of the destinies of Mexico.