New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-21
JUAREZ AND ORTEGA.

To ne Editor Of The ". j. Tribune
SIR: If Ortega has done nothing United States soil,
which may be properly construed into conspiracy against
peighbornc Power with which We hold friendly relations,
and been guilty of other act violating the neutrality
laws then concur with you in the opinion that our
Government has no right to interfere by arTesting him.
His conduct after he crosses the Rio Grande is the affair
OF Mexico; and il does not alter the law Of the case that
the Mexican people, with unanimity far greater even
than that which shown in our own recent elections
have already decided against bin ard for Juarcz.
But do not agree IN the view yOu seem inclined 10
take Of that decision. l think the Mexeans decided
Tghtfully well unanimously 1t would be supeThu-
ons 10 debate this here in the United States, were II not
that an OPINION favorable TO Ortega claims, given IN
spaper Influential as The TRIBUNE must place serious
ebarIassments il the way Of the Mexican Liberals ms
pknow we'll is result the fuTthest possible from your IN
tentons.
yades have had possession Of the Mexican seapOr and
have seized and appropriated al the revenue from IN
nos But nearly our-fhs Of the public OF the
Mexican Government s derived from the tariff Add to
this that the people, harasscd and paged have had little
means left however weldspOscd, 70 contribute support
10 the Constitutional Government That Government,
thus nearly beggared had nothing left bat the resort TO
which all civilized nations have at times been foreed-a
public loan. She needs imperatyely arms, munitions,
and military appointments; but she has nothing with
which to pay for these except her bonds, duly au-
thorzed by Juarez and certified by his accredited Minis
ter. Though her entire public debt does not exceed
credit low and she has 20 dispose Of these bonds at 90
cents the dollar in payment Of the supplies she needs
strengthen the hands of spectators who seek to impose
upon her still harder condiuons-for you supply to them
Government 1t is bad enough for an exhausted nation
70 have receive 90 and TO pay some day OO RETURN
with per cent interest on that 100 until paid. You
aagravate the hardship when you intimate that perhaps
Juarez has not nghul claim TO the position he holds.
Ifhe had in point Of fact, no such claim, good and
WE'LL let the truth be told, no matter whom 1t INJURIES
The technical period when Juarezs term expired the
Let Of December last. Seven months later OHega put
forth his claims in a pamphlet, in English, published
here an appeal in fact against bis OWL nation 70 ours
This pamphlet had an appendix OF 70 pages, entitled
Letters in Ratification of his Position ltdeosed the
fact that after months delay, Oega could muster
but nine ndorser every Mexican refugees, four hy
ing in Texas five in NeWYOrk There were two exGov-
errors of States two one e1post-
master generals one ex-coonel all disafected officials
like Ortega himself and, like him, oil absent from their
native country in her hour OF danger ana suffering lhree
more an executor and unknown individuals, made up
the list
To this pamphlet the friends Of Juarez issued reply:
Its appendix contains letters from every Governor OF
State in Mexico then acting az sueh 10 tne number OF
twelve beside dispatches from the principal corps COM
maneers then in the field, and communications from oher
public meD. Every Of these sanctions JuaIez acuon
and approves iu unqualified terms his continuance IN
Office as legal aud in accordance with the VIII OF the
people, 30 far as It was possible 70 ascertain that WIZ
The pamphlet further says Not Governor Of STATE
not torn city under HatUc rule but has declared for
he continuance "a his PreseHt position, Of Prt1deht
Juarcz. Nay more, not Meroaa citizen resident az
Nerioo has, public haraagRe or printed eommHniea.
fOa expressed interpretation Of The extension Of JGares'
term Of 0btoe"
The grounds upon which this aeqniescence rests aside
nom the love and trust borne by the Nation for their long
tried leader Bento JuaFezl seems to DO the foowing
The Mexican Constitution differs from in this that
NO one but The actually Voted for Pyeadenf as
under any e.reHastaHccs, permanently 10 occupy the
Iresdential chair. In temporary default Of President
TART 7g the President of the Supreme Court Of Justice
shall serve. If the default OF President be absOlHte ART
30 election shall forthwith be held II the election
Of President shall have been published by the first Of
December Art So the President Of the Supreme Court
shall be President Professionally The word Ia the original
IS Hteraamente, strictly translated, temporarily.
Taken alone and according 20 It's letter Article - gives
The Presidency temporarily 10 Ortega AZ ChefJustice.
But taken in connection with the articles which precede
u, ana Ia view Of the WeknOWn intent OF ITS trainers,
ana YET more especially Interpreted ia The light Of that