The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-03

Remedial Retyrms Of the GoUernmsnt-'V they
SAGE the Countyy?-A Ntw and Free Constitx-
hon Expect Religious Education Of the
People Their Moral Dsgradat,on-Eagli
Miaers at Church Immigration and federation
-CGbisst CnGnges, &c.
have had in some Of my former letters, tosnform
you Of the important events ia government and the
great changes that have been made in TIE organic
laws of this country. have had also TO give You
several historical Sketches IN order that you might
understand the and necessity for these alter
Ntions Of such magnitude The institutions Of Mexico
have been shaken to their very foundations, and
those shat rotten, nseees, detrimental have
been overturned.
FIRST, the powered the army was attacked and
ovtrthrown, although, heretofore, it has been pow
eYul enough to rival the Praetorian Guard of Rome
or the Janisseries Of Constantinope-at least, pow
erful enough to brood like IN incubus on
this country, and to blight eyery generous
effort at self government under liberal con-
stitution. Next the church was assaied-
not in ats dogDas-not in its rights and
religious ceremonies, but in its exercise of those po
htical judicial and civil powers which this hierarchy
had usorped and which belonged to the government.
tie vast wealth, also acquired under the cloak of
charity, which the priests had begged aims with
which to minister to the sick, clothe the naked and
comfort the afiicted-this vast wealth. boarded for
she purposes Of pomp, power and oppression, en-
brac;ng two-thrds Of all the values Of property in
this country-has now, in part been seized, and the
remainder will soon also be appropriated
Hitherto the government has felt its right arm
p0weress for the want Of that force sapped from
the army and the church. It has also suffered all the
evils of poverty, while the church has been revealing
n it's vast treasures, which we're useless to the
ton But now the government begins to feel its
nerves braced for vigorous action, while the life
blood Of natioDs-the anances-begins to course
through its veins with all the force of returning ami
matiou. Such seems to be the present position Of
Nexican affairs. But has not the remedy been ap-
piled too late? has not the relief come when the pa
tient was beyond restoration from medicinal aid?
ThSt is the question, and that question is daily ask
ed everywhere by those who have been instrument
tai and active in producing these reforms. do not
intend to discuss this subject at this time, for
would have to write an essay instead Of simple
letter. But it is well worthy Of reflection as it is of
deep meditation in the minds of the best patriots Of
this country.
1t is not pretended that all has yet been done
which it is in the power of legislation to do. Much
Is still under consideration, aud much more may be
expected. The committee of Congress will soon sub
init to that body the rough draft of new constitu-
ton. In that instrument you will find liberation Of
religion, and liberty given to the free exercise Of
conscience. This concession-for it is concession
lis not grant to feeble minority in this country,
whose belief is not in accordance with the Roman
church, for such feeble minorityex sts ALI here
are in full communion with that church, or have
religious belief whatever. They have 10 2n owledge
Of any creed except thas which enanatss from
Rome; and whenever a-nsa.tai oanaot concile
all its rites apd ceremonie, y,sa light, reason and
sound morality, he ceases no. ,syta be Catholic,
but Christian believer also.
The educated classes in Mexico, whose literature
is French novels, especially the male portion, have
but little respect for religion. If they conform to
its ceremonies it is only in obedience to habits
toms and fashions. To the truths of Christianity
they are utterly Indifferent; for, mixed up as they
are with the superstitions of the church Of Mexico
they find it difficult to discriminate, even II an at
tempt were made, which is not Among the poems
IN the villages, and other poor, ignorant people,
whose numbers are nearly five millions, out Of the
eight millions of inhabitants their knowledge of re-
kgion does not extend beyond the ceremonies and
superstitions of the church. Their knowledge never
rises to q contemplation of the sublime truths and
sound morality Of the Christian faith. To keep the
festivals of the church comprises nearly the whole
religious duty Of .peon: It is inculcated by the
village curate he learns it in his cate.
chism; he observes it obeyed everywhere.
His eatechism does not contain the Ten
Commandments as laid down in the scriptures; but
instead of one Of the most important he learns only
remember to keep holy the Festivals" and to keep
holy means to 60 to mass for an hour in the morn
ing, and devote the rest Of the festive day to drink
ing, gambling, dancing and cock fighting. As these
festivals are, on an average two or three for every
week in the year, y0u can perceive how much labor
is interrupted so as to keep the poor peon while he
spends all that he has acquired in dissipation in ODE
dience to the command, remember to keep holy the
festivals" How can such poor mortal rise from
such degraded condition remember, few
years ago, meeting in this city foreign Roman Ca
thOlic priest, who was officiating at one Of the prin
cipa chapels in the capital. In conversation with
him, found he had no hopes Of reaping any harvest
he; it is only superstition" Poor man! he soon
despaired; he gave up his flock and returned to
Europe.
The evils resulting to society from these festivals
gre great that the has often IT inter
matters, and as its interference ia very unpopular,
the effect has been Of little importance. But SO far
o. it's power extends over public officers 1t has been
exercised. Thus orders have repeatedly been issued
prohibiting army officers and all other Office hold
ers from attending bull fights and gambling on feast
days, on pain Of dismissal | perceive the order
has been again issued within the last few weeks as
regards the great festival at San Augnstin Tlal-
pam. On the second Sunday of the month nearly
all the population Of the capital poured out
TO this villa, where mass was performed
in the morning; and then opened the monte banks
some with their piles of gold ounces, often to the
value Of $4,000, and other similar financial insttu
tions, with their lesser cash capital In silver and
others, again, with their cash capital in copper
Cock fighting could be seen, and betting In the pit
erected by the government in the last century; dane
ing in all its tOndas, and magnificent balls inkhc
saloons frequented by the city fashioQ1hles. The
public performances. Thus one Of the Ten Com
mandments was perverted to remember to keep
holy the festivals" until the whole decalogue was
forgotten and ignored In this saternalia.
Now, let US turn and look at another picture in
the mining districts of Real del Monte, to the
north of this city. There the silver mines
are under English direction, and many of
the workmen are English. They have come
horna xrik fhoir fomiino hruUino