New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-19
AFFAIRS OF MEXICO.

Mexico, having achieved Ter independence
from Spain, after brief trial Of an imperial
form Of government, constituted herself Demo
cratic Federal Republic, and adopted the Consti-
tuition Of 1924, by which the country was
divided Into States, each with its Legislature ard
Governor, elected by the people, and the supreme
executive and legislative power was placed in
the hands of President and general Congress,
also elected by the popular voice.
Since that time struggle has been going On
between the aristocratica elements, together with
the army and the clergy, on the one side, to
overthrow this form Of Government, and the
mass Of the people, on the other, to uphold it.
At fist, the part taken by the clergy was secret,
but its influence always suffced TO turn the scale
against the successful and permanent establish
ment of free institutions. Later, this influence
was exercised with LEES reserve and more I'M
scrupulousness, and in the last struggle OF three
years, open war has been proclaimed between
the clergy on the one side, and the people on the
other. From time to time since 1924 the Con-
stitutonal order has thus been overthrown, and
| again for longer or shorter periods 1t hos been
re6stabished.
Taking up the thread Of events at the begin
ming of the year 1874, we find that at the COM
mencement of that year the Republic was under
the rule of Santa Anna, exercising irresponsible
| power under TIE name Of President, but with
the title Of " Serene Highness." The States
| were turned into Departments, and gov
| erned by military COmmahdants. named by the
| President; and the supreme legislative and e1-
| ecutive powers Of the nation were exercised by
the President and bic Council Of seven Minis.
tiers. Santa Anna was the interruptions ally OF
the Church, which wa1ed fat and naughty in the
exercise Of almost unlimited power over the con-
sciences aud the purses of the people. Dlssatis-
faction at this state Of things everywhere pre-
vailed, ond the people were with difficulty kept
down. Rumors OF imperial aspirations on the
part Of Santa Anna began to spread, and THIS
coupled with the growing eItortions and increas
ing power OF the Church, gave birth 10 the reyo-
linton Of Ayutla.
Commencing on the lat Of March, 1854, this
revolution Of the people, by spontaneous rislng
everywhere throughout the Republic, reached a
successful issue by the fight Of Santa Anna and
the establishment Of Provisional Government
under Gen. Alvarez, at CuernavHca, on the ith
Of October 1855. On the 18th Of the same
month, proclamation was issued calling an cleo
tion for members Of Congress, to meet "for the
purpose Of reeOnstitating the nation under the
" form of popular, representative, democratic
" Republic" This Congress met Oh the 18th
Of February 1856, and after prolonged and
full discussions, adopted the Constitution now
become famous for the late long und dead
ly struggle Of the people in its defense, and
which is known re the Constitution OF
le57. Proclaimed on the 10Th Of February
Of that year, it went into effect by its
own provisions, as the supreme law Of the land,
on the 10th of September, when q new Congress,
elected under its provisions, opened is seasons,
aud u President, chosen by the people under the
came authority, was installed in office.
Thus was the Constitutional Government Of
President COmonfort established 10y the ~il Of
the people under Constitution Of their choice,
and the entire Republic rejoicing in peace COM
menced new life. But the clergy resumed
their work aud in January, 1859, military
rebellion, instigatcd by them, broke out in the
City Of Mexico aud drove the constitutional nu.
tborites from the capital. Comoniust fled from
the country. In his absence or in default OF
President, that Office devolvet, under TIE Con
stitution, upon the President Of the Supreme
Court Of Justice. The Constitution moreover
declared Art I2s: :" This Constitution shall not
&" lose its force and vigor, even if its Observance
Z" be interrupted by aUy rebellion. In case that
" BY means Of such IN event Government shall
4" have been established contrary TO The prin-
" ciples which X sanctions, immediately upon the
"peope recovering their liberty its Observance
shall be reCstablished, and according to its
provisions and the laws which have been framed
" IN virtue Of it, shall be judged, % well those
a. who have figured IN the Government emanaiing
" from the rebellion, ns those who have CO.
" operated with them"
The President Of the Supreme Court Of Justice
was Don Benito Juarez. lie proved to be
faithful and an able man. Proceeding to the
CITY Of Guanaiuato, he Immediately reesablished
the Constitutional Government, and, isfring his
proclamation 10 that effect began TO raise forces
10 nut down the rebellion. This proclamation
reached the City of Mexico before any decision
had been taken by the Diplomatic Corps with
regard to the recognition Of the sO-caled govern
ment set up by the leaders Of the military "pro-
" nuncihmento." The clergy, however, were
not idle and in the French Minister, NJ. Gabri-
&C, and the Minister of Guatemala, the head of
the Diplomatic Corps, they had able and willing
allies. With the various influences these could
bring to bear, aud with that Of The capitalists