The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-13

NAe1ICO-m0
Position ON the Church Question.
The news from Mexico contained in the letter
Of our Havana correspondent, published yes
terday, is of the most important character. II
shows that the Emperor Macmillan has at last
found out, and is resolved TO grapple with,
the fundamental evil that threatens the internal
peace of his empire. Among all the State pa
pers that he has issued since his accession to
power there is none of them that equals in i'm
portalice the recent imperial manifesto on the
vexed question of church property. This mat
ter of ecclesiastical wealth and influence has
been the bane of Mexico ever since the early
days Of the conquest, when the vicer0ys ofSpain
took it upon themselves to bestow the lands and
treasures of the people on the church as certain
and perpetual Inheritance. Every successive
government since the birth of tho independent
Mexican republic has had to contend with
the serious difficulties which surrounded
q reform of this ancient abuse. The
church party, however, through the force of
their inexhaustble wealth and secret influence,
have always managed to retain their power,
and in many oasos to extend their privileges.
It was not until the enlightened and lamented
Comonfort became President of the republic
that blow-though faint one-was struck at
these illegal church combinations But Com0n-
fort did not succeed, because his remedies were
lukewarm and incomplete; and, like all half
way measures directed against great evils, they
fell to the ground.
The proceedings Of President Juarez were
altogether different. He no sooner came into
power than he saw that the church party had
to be taken in hand. His long experience as
judge Of the Supreme Court of Mexico had
doubtless opened his eyes to many abuses not
so we'll known to the rest of his countrymen.
The characteristic vigor and determination OF
tho man were at once impaired to his action
against the ecclesiastical oligarchy; and had he
been supported in his work of reform by q
united people the question of church aggran-
dizement would have been long since finally
decided. The energy and resolution of Juarcz,
however, alarmed the churchmen; and, finding
that there was no compact or reliable element
athome successfully to oppose him. they, taking
advantage Of our rebellion, called in the aid of
the European Powers, and thus changed the
whole aspect Of affairs.
Ever since Macmillan came into the country
the liberal and the church parties have been
watching him closely, each party hoping for
advantage from the course he should pursue.
The oracle has spoken at last, and the decieion
is against the church. The Emperor says that
the matter "demands immediate solution;" and,
after giving heavy blow TO the army OF
priests who are to be found in all parts of the
country, by declaring that "the sacraments
shall be administered, and the other functions
of the sacred ministry exercised Throughout the
empire without cost or charge to the people,"
he proceeds to direct his Minister of State that
he shall, "before anything clsc," look to the
revision of the operations of mortmain and
naturalization Of ecclesiastical property,
shaping it on the basis that legitimate trans
to the laws which dccreed such amortization,
shall be ratified" This decree at once dis
poses of the question, and takes up the matter
just where Juarez was forced to leave 1t of.
Upon this action the Emperor must stand or
fall among his people; but we are of opinion
biAae uO viii w VesiAAsy cuPPOASSNt SsAN ~~S~A~~S
more popular than ever among the masses OF
the people, From the church party and their
friends he must Of course, look for the bitterest
kind of hostility; but as he has had the nerve
and the resolution to take this stand, II is to be
hoped that he will be firm to the end, and thus
prepare Mexico for republican form Of gov
ernmcnt as soon as our rebellion is over and
we can take that nation in hand.
THE CASE OF THE STREET. CLEANERs-ALMosT
A RIor.-Two incidents occurred in the city
yesterday, arising out Of what VIC regard as an
unwarrantable assumption of authority and re-
sponsibility where neither existed. The case Of
the injunction served upon the Mayor by Mr..
John Hecker TO restrain him from signing the
pay rolls Of the laborcrs at work in cleaning
the streets was argued in the Supreme Court,
and Judge Ingraham reserved his decision until
tomorrow. Mr.. IIeckcr, while proceeding
tIrou oh tho PARK IN tho cr,urf WI vioIanfIy aat