The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-20
M H x &c O.
General OrtegA's Protest against Presi'
dent LunPNz.

General Jesus Gonzales Ortega. now in Wash
ingto. has just published the following protest
against the decree of Senor Benito Juarez, APP
pointing himself tor q second term to the Pre-
sidency of the Mexican Republic:-
PROTEST of he citizen Jesus G. 0rtegd, President
of the Supreme Court Of Justice of the Mexican
Republic against The DEGREES issued by Don
Bea,to JudTez on The Sh day of NooenobeT, 1865.
The impoItic and disgraceful act c9nsum-
mated by Don Benito Juarez, in issuing, through
your official hands, the DEGREES of the 8th of
November last past, has placed me in the pain
ful position OF protesting in the name of the
nation against the DEGREES issued by Bcnito
Juarez on the 8th day of November, 1866
First. Because they are against the express
provisions of the political Constitution of the
Republic, and as such they are necessarily
arbitrary, Illegal and void.
Second. Because they create a dictatorship,
having at its head Benito Juarez, who can, at
his will, supersede one of the Federal cove
reigns and independent authorities, whose func-
tlons have been recognized by the vote of the
nation; in this wise destroying q republican
principle and the basis OF loyal order, or in
other words, the form OF government established
by the Constitution.
Third. Because they are in opposition to the
powers delegated 70 the Executive by the
National Congress, which to-day not withstand
ing the existence of q war with France de-
clared, while making the concessions con-
tanned in the decree OF December ii, 1861, that
the extraordinary powers Just granted we're to
be exercised with view OF preserving the inde-
pen0ence ana integrity oil the natlOn Al territory,
the form of government established by the Con-
stitution and laws of reform. Moreover, the
law of October q, 1862, imposed positive re.
striction upon the Executive forblddng him to
violate any of the provisions contained in title
" OF the Constitution, which he has done.
Fourth. Because the aforesaid DEGREES seri-
ously compromise the independence of the
nation robbine its defenders from their legiti-
mate Government, which alone can serve as
rallying point, and substituting to it an illegal
usurpaton, with no more force iu authority
than that of the unconstitutional DEGREES now
issued.
Fifth. Because the tone of the decree is an
insult to the Mexican people, lighting for prlnci-
pie under the constitutional banner; because
also, it can be inferred from the text that the
blood she'd by thousands OF patriots and martyrs
had been shed Tor Benito Juarezs sake, and that
without him the cause of Mexico would be
hopeless.
Sixth. Because the sentiments set forth in
these DEGREES are not only founded upon sophis-
try, but are downright calumnles, affecting me
as an individual, and in my character OF pubic
officer.
b. The obligations of the solemn oath, assumed
by me as Constitutional President OF the Su-
preme Court of Justice. in accordance with the
letter and spirit of the Constitution, have been
so far observed by me ia thfully and with a
regard for popular rights secured by that instru-
ment; and maintain that the nation, when in
full possession of its light, must hold all public
functonaries to the srictest account.
JESUS G. 0RTEGA
To Don SEBASTIAN LERDo DE TEJADA,