The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-03

were moderate, while rates were firm.
| The Treaty with Mexfco-War with Us
the Only Hope OF the Roman Catholic
Clergy.
The real issue pending before the Senate in
| the question Of the ratification of the treaty
with Mexico is, whether we are to have war or
peace with that republic. If the treaty Is rati-
fed. the constitutional ard legitimate govern
ment Of Mexico will be able to suppress the
present rebellion, restore order and maintain
pacific relations with us. If the treaty is re-
jected or materially amended so as to make it
imperative. e shall be carried inevitably, by
the force Of circumstances beyond our control
to an armed Intervention in the domestic affairs
Of that country, or into open war with it.
In order clearly to explain these truths, it is
requisite thai we make a cursory examination
Of the causes that have led to the present con-
dition Of affairs in that republic The reyolu-
ton of Ayutia, which drove Santa Anna from
power, ended on the 4th of October, 1856, when
Gen. Alvarez assumed the Presidential chair.
1t was The triumph Of the liberal party over
the centraism of Santa Anna. On the
1lth of December, 1855, General Alvarez
resigned bis power to General Comonfort,
who held Office as President Substitute
until the National Convention, which had been
called to meet in the capital, should give to
the nation constitution, and the elections
under it could be held. As soon az the dele
gates to the Convention were elected the
clergy found that, notwithstanding the i'm
mense efforts they had made, the majority of
delegates returned were of the liberal party
and strongly opposed to their immense privi-
leses. Then began that agitation that for
more 'hau year struggled to overthrow Co.
monfort. Small parties Of rebels, proclaiming
the cause Of religion" sprang up in several
districts, ani the city Of Puebla, the strong
hold of the clergy, twice rebelled and was
twice subdued. For time the clerical inte-
rest was kept in subsection. The Convention
met, and on the 9Th of February, 1867, the pre-
sent constitution was concluded and signed.
| 1t provided for the election Of President, and
| of the Chief Justice to succeed the President
in case Of vacancy.
| Under its provisions Gen. Ccmonfort and
Judge Juarez were respectively elected Presi-
dent and Chief Justice, and on the Let Of De-
cember, 1857 Congress met, and they took
the oath OF allegiance to the consti
tuition and entered upon the duties o.
their offices. On the 18th OF December Col
Zuloaga pronounced at Tacubaya against thu
tary privileges which that instrument suppress
ed Comonfcrt, abandoned by the army, Al
nounced his intention to leave the country
and On the Nth of January resigned his powe
formally to the HANDS of lis constitutional sue
cessor. The capital being in possession of tht
withdrew TO Guansiuato and organized the go
vernment, which was subsequently transferred
to its present seat at Vera Cruz, whore it mas
remained undisturbed for nearly two years
enjoying the voluntary allegiance of the
greater part Of the republic. TIE capital and
such portion of the surrounding country as
the army can hold, has been kept in AZ IN.
willing obedience to the reactionary party
The course Of this party has been checker
ed On the goth Of January, 1885, junta Q.
priests and generals elected Zuloaga to the
| Presidency lie held this Office until the 23d
of December Of that year, when Gen Robes
! pronounced in the capital, AID called anothel
iunta. the mem ers Of which were named by
himself, to elect o President. Miramon
who was at this time commandment
chief of the forces in the field, refused to re-
cognise the Robes p-cnunciamiento, aud re
turned with force to the capital to reinstatt
Zuloaga On the lst Of January the Robes
junta, curiously enough, elected Miramoa 81
President. He reached the city with his forces
on the Goth Of January, and, refusing to recog
Mise the choice CT the Robles junta, reinstatec
Zuloaga. But on the I'd of the succeeding
month he forced Zuloaga to resign ais power
to him, as General Alvarez had on a former oo
casion resigned to General Comonfort; and
since that time he has ruled 10 the capital in
der the title of president Substitute" HE ca
reer has been one OF constant military effort to
destroy the gathering forces Of the Legitimate
government, and Of occupying and abandoning
cities in the interior. which return to their con
stitu,ional allegia3ce as sooD rs the troops &c
part In March last he made great effort to
sssail Vera Cruz, but retired without attacking
the city, and or his return to the capital the
Tscrbays sssassina.;ons, which caused so much