The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-04-24
The New Constitution of Mexico.


This Instrument whicl, was ratified Oh the
18th of February, has been received with great
favor by all classes Of the people, except the
clergy, who are opruacL I" this and all ether
measures which are sustained hy the Comun
fort Administration. 1t WAS formally prom,i
gated on the ih of March, with imposing
ceremonies in the city of Mexico; and the gov
crnmcnt TO be established 10y it will be nauru
rated, if at all, Oh the 18th Of September next
among the numerous aspirants f.r the Prrsi!cn
cv, the most prominent are Cpmunfur,, Alvarez
Nidnurri and others. But it is exceedingly
C"nbtfnl, whether the new government, even
thought it should go into operation will be able
to sustain itself for any lcn.th of time The
Present Administration is bankrupt, aud every
moment threatens its overthrow. pisiurban
exist in tho Nrr:,rrn provinces; commu.
hicaton between ,tc different States is uncrr.
tain aud hazarduusi a strcng party, sustained
hS The iniluencc vi The Clergy is arraycd
against the CononfJrt Administration, rival
factions nre struggling for power, and every
thing is rendering towards anarchy. y Rcpub.
lcan Government can only be sustained by
virtue and intelligence on the part of the reo,
pie; and AS the Mexican population are deficient
in these lcmcns of character they cannot cx,cvt
to sustain free Government.
The new Constitution is m.uirlled upon that
IF the United States, and furnishes eight distinct
Titles, Of which the Nc'o Or'coas I';caguuc fur
nishcs the following abstract:
Title one defines al;..",ci!y the rights Of man.
VIZ: life liberty the pursuit Of happiness .tr:
th" rights and obligations OF M.x:-:,n citizcns
,,nfIt Il .t,.l
the laws, and the defence Of the honor Interests
and integrity Of h" Republic: tn" allegations
nn'l n'lprlvilcgcs cf FOREIGNERS. VIZ: "h-,!icnrc t..
the laws an! respect !rr the institutions Of ,i,,
country, they in turn hrir. Guaranteed ,i,,,
fullest protection aH cn", n,rnt of The .,,rr
Title two treats nf il.c mai iinu:ll snvrrr:untv
which is declared 10 rc~i'l. in ,hr ,,""p!r il,r
form Of the Government, which shall l~ frl..r.
al: and lis several cons'i:u"n, parts the soy
crcign. independent Sla''s enumerated. Th.
State of the Valley "f M"xi-o. which COIN
l"iscs IL" 50 called Federal District shall only
hc known rs Il distinct sovereignty nr"n tn.
transfer Of the Sui';"'!.e G""crnmcn, To s"..,c
u.hcr place.
Title three treat. "f til" division Of powers:
.st. tn" Legislative. assisting of one genera,
assembly d"nomiu"i"l the "Con"r..<S Of the
Inlon, elective every two Years by III" fire."
Futfra"cs Of the Mexican people. and charged
with the cnacting of all federal laws in the
'nitlntlon Of whicl. they have, however, only
concurrent power; with the President a:,l the
Legislatures of the several States The Con.
Ercss will have two sessions annually the first
beginning the 10th of September, and termi.
mating the 18th of December, the second be-
ginning the lst of April and terminating the
last of May. They are guaranteed ail the
usual rights, privileges aud lrcrouativrs of leg.
iSiativc assemblies. 81. the Executive. vested
in one single individual, styled the .'ircsi,ient
OF the United States Of Mexico" lie must hc
Mexican citizen hy birth, thirty-fvc Years of
ngc, resident Of the country at the time of his
election. His term Of office is limited TO four
years, to beg rim with the lst of Dcrcmhcr lie
has the right to declare war and make treaties
subject, however, to the ratification of Congress
and is charged with tl:c usual duties of M exc.
cutlvc No ccclcsiastc can ever become prcsi-
dent of the Republic. 81, the judicial vested
i'll various District and Circuit Courts, with
jurisdiction not hissimilar from our own, and
our Supreme Court, which is also CONSTITUTED a
court of final appeal.
Title four treats, i'll general manner. Of the
responsibilities, Of public fnnrtionarirs the
members of the Legislative Assembly. law
judges, heads of department, State Governors
and President of the Republic, each nnl all of
whom are separately and solcmnlv charged
with obedience to the. Constitution, aud the
faithful execution of laws enacted under it, in
their various departments.
Title five defines the rights and duties Of the
several States of the confedtracv to each Of
which is guaranteed government republican
IN form and spirit. Their powers are limited.
They can in no case form treaties of alliance
with each other, or with foreign powers; coin
or issue money: impose tonnage or port duties,
or lay taxes of any kind upon imports, or cx-
ports, without the consent of Congress No
more can they organize and maintain armies
and navies, or declare war, except in case of
sudden invasion which admits of no DELAY
Each State, moreover, shall give full credit to
tic laws and records Of the others and of the
Supreme Government.
Title six declares among others things, that
this Constitution, and the laws Of Congress
enacted under it sha be the supreme law of
amendments; title eight declares is inviolahil-
ity it remaining in full force and authority
even in case Of rebellion.