The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-03-22
w Z K / 9 9
MACMILLAN and the Catholic
Church.
COMPLETE RUPTURE
THE POPE TO MAXIMILIAN.
-
MAMMALIAN TO THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE.
The Advice and Warnings Of the
Pope Not Needed.
Solemn Protest Of the ArchbiShOps and
Bishops Of Mexico.
They Appeal for Suspension Of the Measures
Against the Church.
THEIR PROTEST DISREGARDED.
---~--~~~~~~-~~~~-
Final DEGREES Of Religious Toler-
ance and Confirmation Of the Re-
form Laws Of Juarez,
&C., &C., &c.
Solemn Protest Of the ArchbiShOpS and
Bishops Of Mexico.
They Appeal for Suspension Of the Measures
Against the Church.
THEIR PROTEST DISREGARDED


It is well known that after the Intervention of the al
lied Powers England France and spain-n Mexico had
commenced it through the influence and direct
efforts Of the Catholic clergy and church party of Mexico
that the objects Of the Intervention changed
che purpos' Of establishing monarchy, with the Arch
duke Macmillan as Emperor, was substituted for the
simple redress of grievances proposed the OF the
allied expedition.
The clergy Of Mexico sought the property of
which they had been deprived by the reform of
Juarez government and to regain for the Church the
privileges and powers 1t had enjoyed in ancient times
In this purpose all Catholic countries could not but
sympathize especially by this they hoped to
see terminated those questions which for long
period have been the of civil strife barrier
TO all progress in Mexico
England, however, Protestant Power, did not look
with favor upon this restoration OF the privileges Of
Church, and through peculiar circumstances her inu
cnce at that moment great with Spain that that
Power also was induced to withdraw from tho interview
ton when these objects announced
France differently situated. She could not with
draw Her position the chief Catholic Power Of the
world forbade her abandoning the Church
when the opportunity Of securing for It great avan
tagcs and the time Of restoring peace Mexico
was apparently SO favorable.
tened to the solicitations of influential
the Mexican Church and accedcd their request that
Archdukc Macmillan should be selected to oil the throne
Of Mexico.
1t Is needless to say how strong the OF
Naximaas devotion TO the Church. how confidently
all interests relied upon his good faith adherence
those who aiding him towards the attainment Of
brilliant destiny.
Through the direct act Of the Mexican clergy and the
church party Of Mexico the empire proclaimed and
Maximian was elevated to the throne.
To the Church, therefore, he not alone the fact Of
his selection but the fact Of the creation the empire
Napoleon had no interest in Macmillan nor had he any
desire the form Of government Mexico changed
His purpose simply to restore peace Mexico and
to protect in far proper the legitimate rights
Of the Church.
Unfortunately for these ends the person selected by the
Mexican clergy and the leaders of the party who favored
the intervention has proved unahful the repos
ed In him. and having reached power he has turned
upon those who placed him thcre-has violated his most
solemn faith to tho Church. aud proved himself worse
enemy than the governments Of President Juarcz
Comonfort, from whom the laws OF reform first cma
mated
1t was hoped for time that even these difficulties
might be overcome, and that through arrangement
between the Pope and Maximian harmony might be
restored For this purpose Nunco sent 10 Mexico
and every effort has been made avoid open rupture
But 1t has all been In vain. Maxim an blindy infauat-
cd with confidence in the strength Of his position has
rashly chosen to break with those whom he
power and rejecting the dsincrcsted counscls of
Napoleon, he has undertaken settle by himself the
grave and important questions pending with the Church
and has taken tho final step which separates her
interests from that OF his throne Mexico and forces
her to seek his downfall
Tho following documents show clearly the position
that has been taken by the Pope and the Clergy Of
Mexico ON the side, and by Macmillan the other
The breach Is rreparable and tho consequences Maxi
milan will be the loss OF the throne he has forfeited by
his ingratitude.
These documents arc-
Fast-A letter Of advice from the Pope TO Macmillan
dated at the Vatican, October Is, 1864
Second-Maximans letter of instructions to his Minis
ter OF Justice, dated Doc mbor 81, 1854 directing him
notwithstanding the advice and solicitations of the Pope
70 proceed to the formation Of laws confirming the ma
donaizatoa of the ecclesiastical property and declaring
religious tolerance.
Tird-Protest agans, this action, signed by all the
archbshops and bishops OF Mexico.
Foah th-Final DEGREES now issued by Maximan de-
caring religious tolerance and adopting all the laws
thc Juarez aud Cononfort governments with respect
the church property.
HIS HOLINESS THE PORE To MaxrMtLIAN-Hrs
CoNcLIAToRY AND FRIENDLY ADVICE.
sIaE;--Whcn IN the month Of April last, before
Stunning the rcins OF the new empire OF Mexico your
Majesty arrived IN this capital in order 20 worship
tombs of the Holy Apostles and to receive apostolic
bcncdicon we Informed you 81 the deep which
filled soul by reason OF the amcntable into which
the social disorders during these last years reduced
all that concerns religion In the Mexican nation
Before that time, and moro than once, we had made
known our complaints In public aud solemn acts pro-
esiing against the inquitous law called the law or
FORM which attacked the most nyioabe rights of tho
Church aud outraged the authority Of its pastors aganst
the seizure Of the ecclesiastical property and the dsspa
uon OF The sacred patrimony; against tho UNJUST sup
preston Of the religious orders against tho false maxms
snat attack Tue sanctty Of the Catholic religion and IN
nne, against many other transgressions committed not
only 10 the prejudice OF sacred persons but also Of the
pastoral priesthood and discipline OF the Church.
FOR these reasons your Majesty must have we'll under
stood how happy we see-thanks TO the estab.
lishment of tho new empire-tho dawn of pacific and
prosperous days for the Church Of Mexico low which
was increased whom called 10 the throne a prince
OF Catholic family, and who had given so many proofs
OF rel gous zeal and pety Equally ntnneo was tho iov
OF the worthy Mexican bishops who on leaving the Cant
tai OF Chrstndcm where they had presented so many
examples OF their fidelity and sclfdenial toward our
person. had the happiness OF being the TO paw their
sincere homage to the sovereign elect or their country
and Of hearing from his own lips the most com,
plcte assurances Of his firm resolution 10 re.
dress the wrongs done TO the Church and To
yeorganizc the disturbed elements OF civil and re-
liCous administration. Tho Mexican nation also learned
with indescbable pleasure Of your Maiesys accession
70 tho throno-caed TO IL by the unanimous desire Of
people who, up to that time had been constrained TO
9roan beneath the yoke OF an aparchcal government
and to lament the ruins apd disasters Of the Catholic
religion their chief pride at all times and the foundation
OF thor prosperity.
Under such happy auspices we have been waiting day
by day the acts OF the empire persuaded that the
Church. outraged with much impiey by the revolu-
3on would receive prompt and just redress whether by
he revocation OF the laws which had reduced II TO such
state Of oppression and servitude by the promuga
sion Of others adapted 70 the suppression Of the dsas-
Gous e1ecs Of On implous administration